Brandon Girod|Pensacola News Journal
Finding things to do with your dog or other leashed pet used to be a difficult task. Most restaurants or bars didn't want anything to do with them. Nowadays, places are much more relaxed —and online, crowd-sourced review platforms like Yelp even offer helpful pet-friendly tags for the discerning pet owner.
Pensacola has historically been a pro-dog city. Today, nearly every restaurant with a patio lets dogs hang while their human eats or has a drink.
And dog parks will always be some of the best places to hang out with your dog, and there are plenty to choose from. Some places, like Bayview Park, offer places for your dog to swim off-leash while others are a little more restrictive.
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Below is a pretty comprehensive list of local dog parks and bars and restaurants that are pet-friendly. If you don't see a restaurant on the list, that doesn't mean they don't have space for your pet — feel free to call ahead and ask.
Dog parks in Pensacola
Perdido Key River Road Dog Park
Where: 14484 River Road
The Perdido Key River Road Dog Park is a smaller park, but is one of the few places that have separate areas for large and small breeds. Fresh water isn't available, so make sure you bring your own.
Beulah Regional Dog Park
Where: 7820 Mobile Highway
The Beulah Regional Dog Park is part of the larger Beulah Regional Park making it a great stop for families with pets. The dog park has two fenced-in areas that allow them to free roam. One of the areas has agility equipment for pups to run and jump. There is shade available at both sections with seating, too. You'll need to provide your own water at this park.
Pensacola Beach East and West Dog Park
Where: FortPickens Road, across the street from NorthGalvez Court and just before Park East.
Pets aren't allowed on the main parts of Pensacola Beach, but there are two designated dog parks to the east and west. Both parks are on-leash only and are fairly small. Plastic bags and receptacles are on site but water isn't available.
Bayview Dog Park and Beach
Where: 2000 E. Lloyd St.
If you're looking for a place where your dog can have a swim without a leash then the Bayview Dog Park and Beach are the places for you. There is a 1-acre fenced-in dog park located directly on the beach, letting dogs enter and exit the water whenever they like. There are picnic tables on the sand and beneath trees for shade. There is a separate dog park for dogs to free roam without the beach. Water bowls and showers are available but you'll want to bring your own fresh water.
Shoreline Bark Park
Where: Shoreline Drive and Colley Cove Drive, Gulf Breeze
The Shoreline Bark Park is a great place to stop on those park days with the kids. This park on Shoreline Drive is smaller but provides separate sections for large and small breeds. Fresh water and disposable bags are provided at the park.
Pensacola Bay Bluffs
Where: Along Scenic Highway in eastern Pensacola
The Pensacola Bay Bluffs is another great place to take your dog where land meets sea. The bluffs feature wooded walkways and rest areas that run parallel to Scenic Highway. Eventually, they'll lead you down to a shore along Pensacola Bay where you can walk with your leashed dog, allowing them free access to the beach.
Blackwater Heritage State Trail
Where: 5533 Alabama St., Milton
The Blackwater Heritage State Trail is a 19-mile out-and-back trail near Milton. The nine miles of paved trail offer a trip through the historic side of Milton, running out into the countryside and crossing bridges andcreeks. A visitors center is also available, which offers parking, restrooms, picnic tables, grills and a playground. Dogs are welcome on leashes no longer than 6-feet long.
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
Where: 2401 Bauer Road
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park is the perfect hike with a view. The 4,000-acre preserve is home to four species of endangered pitcher plants, plus other rare and endangered plant species. A boardwalk winds throughout the bayou, giving a beautiful view of the area. Dogs are allowed at the preserve on leashes no longer than 6 feet.
Big Lagoon State Park
Where: 12301 Gulf Beach Highway
The Big Lagoon State Park is a getaway for people and wildlife alike. Amenities include swimming, boating, fishing, camping, hiking and paddling. It's also home to over 23 species of wood-warbler and a variety of ducks, sandpipers and black-bellied plovers. Pets are allowed in designated areas at Big Lagoon as the county prohibits pets on the beaches and waterways.
Dog-friendly bars and restaurants in the Pensacola area
A quick note: Please assume that dog-friendly seating is patio-only unless otherwise stated.
- 86 Forks + Table
- Alga Beer Co.
- Boneheads
- Brother’s BBQ
- Cactus Cantina
- Café Nola
- Calvert's in the Heights
- Coastal County Brewing
- Crabs - We Got ‘Em
- Dog House Deli
- End of the Line Café
- Flounders Chowder House
- Frisky Dolphin Sunset Oyster Bar & Grill
- George Artisan Bakery & Bistro
- Graffiti Pizza
- Grover’s BBQ
- Hot Spot Barbecue
- Hub Stacey’s
- Jaco’s
- La Brisa
- La Cabana Mexican Kitchen
- Lillian’s Pan Pizza
- Lillo’s Tuscan Grille
- Mellow Mushroom
- Nick’s Boathouse
- O’Riley’s Irish Pub Downtown
- Oar House Restaurant
- Odd Colony
- Pensacola Bay Brewery
- Perfect Plain
- Polonza Bistro
- Red Fish Blue Fish
- Scenic 90 Café
- Shaggy’s Waterfront Bar and Grill
- Shrimp Basket
- Single Fin Café
- Sonny’s
- South Market
- Sunset Grille
- Tacos Mexicanos
- The Boardwalk Cafe
- The Garden
- The Wacked Out Weiner in Milton
- The Wine Bar on Palafox
- Tijuana Flats
- True Grit American Bistro
- Tuscan Oven Pizzeria
- Water Pig BBQ
- Wild Roots
- Wisteria Tavern
