Are dogs allowed in restaurants in Missouri? Are restaurant patios in the Kansas City area dog-friendly? We’ll answer all your questions and more!
Ready to take your pup on vacation to Kansas City? Maybe you already live in Kansas City and realize how cool it is. Or you’re planning to move here with your fur baby. We’ll help you find the best dog-friendly restaurants, other dog-friendly activities, and local pet care options for your precious pooch.
Kansas City is a beautiful place to visit or to make your new home. With a friendly midwest feel, great architecture, and the second most fountains in the world… What is there not to like about Kansas City? Even better, it’s a very dog-friendly city.
You may not realize how many Kansas City restaurants have pet-friendly patios, but we’ll help you find the best ones! Most restaurants with outdoor seating will let you bring your pup along. But it’s always good to double-check ahead of time. Our list below will give you a little insider information about what each restaurant offers... both for you and your pup!
If you’re looking for more outdoorsy activities, click here to find the best dog parks, trails, dog-friendly parks, and off-leash areas in Kansas City. You and your pup can both get some much-needed outdoor time, fresh air, and sunshine. Whether you want to exercise together, or you want to chill out on a bench while they run around like crazy… we’ll help you find the best spots to visit.
And if you’re in need of some great local pet care in your area, click here to find the best dog walkers, cat sitters, pet groomers, and more—all in and around Kansas City. Whatever your doggy needs may be, we’ve got you covered.
Now let’s get on to this delicious list!
The 8 Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants, Bars, and Breweries in Kansas City, MO:
- Brewery Emperial
- Mason Jar Burgers and Brews
- Beer Kitchen
- Char Bar
- Chicken N Pickle
- Bar K Dog Bar
- Grinders Pizza
- Slap’s BBQ
Brewery Emperial — East Crossroads
Brewery Emperial gives off the rustic-industrial vibe in a convenient, close-to-downtown location. They are a beer garden with plenty of brews on tap for any beer lover. There is also a great menu with vegan and gluten-free specials daily. Their burgers are definitely some of the highlights of the menu—specifically the Emperial Burger and the “Fest” burger. Both of these burgers include two hand-pressed patties, and they are both inspired by Oktoberfest.
The space is fantastic for dog lovers to come together with their fur babies for a beer and socializing on their huge patio. They have fire pits scattered throughout to help extend the season and keep their patrons warm.
Mason Jar Burgers & Brews — Victory Hills
Mason Jar Burgers & Brews is a local, family-friendly restaurant serving some of the best comfort food in Kansas City, MO. They create monthly burger and jar specials every month and offer happy hours from 3 PM to 6 PM, Monday through Thursday, and all day on Sunday. Plus, they have daily specials too! Not only do they offer a great menu, but they were also highlighted by Visit Kansas City in a piece titled Day Trip on a Dime, which should tell you a little about their prices.
Out back, they have a covered stage and a huge patio filled with metal chairs over concrete for you and your pup to enjoy the evening. And on the weekends, that stage lights up with some great bands—weather pending—and turns into quite the social gathering. This might turn into a great weekend spot for you and your four-legged friend to enjoy together.
Beer Kitchen — Westport
Beer Kitchen in Westport is known for its extensive beer selection and dog-friendly patio. They offer a wide range of dishes, including vegan and gluten-free options. The relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff make it a favorite among locals. Visit their website at beerkitchenkc.com for more information.
Char Bar — Westport
Char Bar, also located in Westport, is a barbecue joint with a spacious, dog-friendly outdoor seating area. They are known for their smoked meats and creative cocktails. The restaurant also features a large yard with games like cornhole and bocce ball.
Chicken N Pickle — North Kansas City
Chicken N Pickle is located across the river in North Kansas City and is another great dog-friendly restaurant. But like many dog-friendly establishments, they have set out to create something a little different by adding the love of pickleball into their community, hence the name.
Here you can eat, drink, play, and pet your four-legged friend. The food obviously revolves around the love of chicken—most notably their wood-fired rotisserie chicken—but that isn’t all they have. They offer pulled pork, grass-fed beef sandwiches, creative salads, and more.
As for the patio space, it is rather large and quite an active space. Out there, you can find games of pickleball, cornhole, giant Jenga, ping pong, and even a giant game of battleship. To say this place wants you to come and stay a while is definitely an understatement. So the next time you are getting a little stir-crazy, grab your pup and head to Chicken N Pickle.
Bar K Dog Bar — Riverfront West
Bar K Dog Bar establishments are starting to pop up across the region, and Kansas City, MO, is lucky enough to have one of the best locations. Located just to the south side of the Missouri River, you can find this laid-back bar, restaurant, and dog park thing they call Bar K Dog Bar.
This place is a fully staffed dog park with two full acres of room for your pup to run, play, and do their business. But the fully-staffed part means that someone else is there to watch after—and, more importantly, clean up after—your pup. Along with the dog park, they will occasionally have events going on to promote pet adoption, live music events, and always have trained dog handlers around.
For the food, there is plenty to eat and drink here—including for your pup. Their menu has appetizers, burgers, bowls, salads, and more. Plus, they have handcrafted cocktails, draft beer, wine, and fountain drinks.
So if you think you might grab your pup and come on over to meet some new friends, hop on their site, register your pup, and plan your visit.
Grinders Pizza — Crossroads Arts District
Grinders Pizza is a funky, art-filled pizzeria that welcomes dogs on their patio. They are famous for their eclectic pizza toppings and live music events.
Slap’s BBQ — Kansas City KS
Just across the river into Kansas, Slap’s BBQ has grown out of the Squeal Like a Pig (S.L.A.P.) BBQ competition cooking team. Squeal Like a Pig started in 2013 as a way to help promote the barbecue cooking experience. Out of that desire launched Slap’s BBQ to create a place for barbecue enthusiasts to come together. And they even offer classes!
But you aren’t necessarily looking for classes… You are looking for a place with great barbecue and a place to bring your pooch. This place offers it all! Fantastic locally-sourced meat, award-winning barbecue, and an outdoor patio your pup would love to join you on.
Dogs Are Allowed at Restaurants in Kansas City
By now, I’m sure you can tell just how dog-friendly the city of Kansas City, MO—and the surrounding area—really is. This town loves dogs almost as much as you do. And they do their best to make your four-legged friends feel welcomed on the outdoor patios of each restaurant. So now it’s time to pick out your favorites and give them a try! You never know which one might become your new usual hangout.
For more articles about dog-friendly activities and pet parenting advice, check out the blog at LocalPetCare.com.
