How Bars Can Cater to Pet Owners

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 76% of households in the U.S. have a pet. That’s 85 million families. For a bar or restaurant owner, that’s a pretty huge audience. If your establishment doesn’t allow pets or cater to pet-lovers, you could be missing out on some tail-wagging business.

Of course, it’s fair to say that barking and beer don’t always go hand-in-hand (unless maybe someone’s had a little too much). But, there are things you can do as a bar owner or manager to cater to people with pets.

It’s no surprise that “dog bars” are becoming more popular across the country, letting owners and pets alike enjoy their time together in a bar setting. And whether you set up a specific dog bar or just make changes to allow pets at your establishment, it’s easier than you might think.

If you want to be more accessible to a pet-friendly crowd, we’ve got some tips that can help.

Have the Right Setup

Setting up your bar to cater to pets is crucial when you decide to take the plunge. You can’t just leave everything the way it is and start allowing dogs to trot through. Instead, there are steps you need to take to make your establishment more pet-friendly, including:

• Having a separate area for customers with dogs
• Providing amenities for the pets
• Spacing out tables and chairs so pets don’t get tripped over or walked on (or they don’t trip other customers)
• Ensuring your staff is trained to interact properly with pets
• Having leash stakes so owners can eat without having to hold onto their dogs

It’s also important to make sure your space is safe for pets. Bars and restaurants are known for being clean and efficient. But, what’s safe for you might not be safe for an animal. Make sure you don’t have any common pet poisons lingering around that a patron’s pet could consume, including:

• Chewing gum/sugar-free candy
• Baked goods with xylitol
• Batteries
• Human medication
• Apple seeds
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions
• Tea and coffee

Between customers dropping things and your business serving food, it’s easy for some of these common items to end up on the floor and get gobbled up. Be as diligent as possible when it comes to sweeping or mopping after each customer.

Make it Fun for Pet Owners

Having things safely set up is priority number one, but making your bar a fun experience for pets and their owners should be your next big goal.

Obviously, Fido isn’t going to be able to read your menu or advertisements. But, catering to pet owners can help them to get excited about bringing their furry friend along. Market your pet-friendly environment as much as possible to encourage dog-owners to come in.

Once they do, make sure you have ways to keep the pets included in the fun. The easiest way to do that is by having a separate “dog menu” or including a few dishes on your traditional menu that are pet- friendly. There’s even beer on the market that is specifically made for dogs. No, it won’t get them tipsy – it just tastes like chicken!

Another great option is to get pet owners involved on social media. Have a specific hashtag for your bar then encourage people to take pictures of their pets while they’re in your establishment and share to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc using the tag. You could even get people interested by hosting a photo contest on social media for those who share their pictures.  Get creative with your hashtag so it’s more memorable – bonus points if you can work in the name of your bar or town!

Sending pet owners home with a keepsake can also let them know they’re always welcome. Something as simple as taking a Polaroid photo of them with their pooch and sending it home with them can be impactful.

Having a pet-friendly business is just the beginning. If you can harness the fun of that business model, you’ll bring in even more pet-loving patrons to your establishment.

Understand the Pros and Cons

As with any new business venture, there are going to be ups and downs. We’d argue that the biggest “pro” to transforming into a pet-friendly establishment is all the cute dog interaction you’re going to get every day, but that’s obvious.

In all seriousness, understanding the pros and cons will make it easier to determine if this is the right move for your bar.

One of the biggest benefits is that you’re opening your bar up to a wider audience. Because so many Americans have pets they don’t want to leave at home, inviting those furry friends along will make your establishment more inclusive. It’s also a great way to increase foot traffic. If someone is walking by with their dog, they can immediately stop in for a drink without having to make an extra trip home first.

So, what are the potential downsides?

The most important thing to keep in mind is cleanliness. Sanitation can be a concern when allowing pets into your establishment. But, by training your staff on proper cleaning, sanitation, and odor-removal techniques, you can keep a safe and sanitary environment for everyone – it just takes some extra effort.

There’s also the risk of the occasional mess. Dogs are dogs, after all. Then, there is the noise and potential excess activity. Even the most well-trained animals can get rowdy and some dogs might not get along. Others might bark more than others, or get overly excited. When you have a pet-friendly establishment, you have to be prepared for anything.

It’s up to you, of course, to weigh the risks and rewards. The “cons” are typically easy to handle. It will take extra work, but you also have the option of offering the best of both worlds with a pet-friendly patio or outside dining options.

As dog bars continue to become more popular, changing your business’ pet policy might be something to consider. Keep these ideas in mind if you want to make the switch, learn how to do it most effectively, and enjoy the added boost of happiness that our four- legged friends add to any occasion.

Special Thanks to Jori Hamilton for this Great Beer Now guest post!