The dog owner’s guide to New York City

Eat, drink, play, and groom your way through city dog life.

Raising a dog in New York City comes with a very specific set of prerequisites. New York dog owners must be tough and smart. You have to know the right subway lines to get on; when and where they’re the least annoying. Beat the dinner rush to snag the spacious corner table at that one dog-friendly spot. Be able to clock the nearest patch of dog-friendly grass at any given moment.

We too know these struggles, like the backs of our hands. In fact, Maev was first inspired by a city dog named George, who needed fast and full nutrition that’d make up for the smoggy city air.

That’s why you have this guide—pre-approved with all the local dog-friendly spots to make life in New York City an ounce easier, at the very least. Bookmark it for later, send it to a city friend, let us know what we’re missing in the comments below. There’s enough room for every dog. 😉

Before you start, every major dog owner’s law you must mind:

1. Every dog must be registered through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. You’ll receive a license with an expiration date that must be displayed on your dog’s collar at all times.
2. Rabies vaccinations are mandatory before your dog turns four months old.
3. New York has a leash law. All dogs must stay on a leash in public at all times. Look for one that’s no more than six feet long.
4. Tethering is outlawed for more than 3 hours in any 12 hour period. This helps protect all dogs from the brutal chill of New York winters.
5. Keep the poop bags close or you can be fined up to $250 … per bathroom break.
6. Dogs and cats are allowed on the metro, but they’re required to stay in a “carrier” at all times. What constitutes a said carrier? We’ll leave that to your interpretation.

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Dog-Friendly Restaurants & Bars

In New York, dogs are allowed at outdoor patios (with the respective restaurant’s consent), but it’s entirely illegal to bring a dog into an indoor restaurant, coffee shop, or any other establishment where food is served.

Let’s start with the classics: On any given weekend, find half of New York’s dog owners at Lucky Dog Bar in Williamsburg or d.b.a. in East Village. And hear us when we say, you can never go wrong with either.

If you’re interested in all-day excursions, lounge by the watering fountains at Barking Dog (Upper East Side) or host your dog’s birthday at Pig Beach or Lavender Lake in Gowanus or The Springs in Greenpoint. Shake Shack in Madison Square has the best after-work people watching. Take a date to La Contenta Oeste or Bar Primi when you can’t catch a sitter. Watch your dog watch you eat some pierogis at Veselka. Catch a game and soul-warming mac & cheese at Harlem Tavern up north. And when they’re hungry for a sweet treat, try the “pup cup” at Ollie’s Ice Cream in Bushwick.

Best Local Dog Care & Wellness

As packed as the city may be, there’s always room for the dogs. Bookmark this list for the best no-crate care in New York — five star suites and budget stays alike.

Le Doggie Cool just opened in Williamsburg, but it’s already earning its stripes as the new it spot in doggie daycare. Stop in for a fresh brew and social hour with the other parents before leaving your dog to play. They even have free dog-friendly ice cream with every drink purchase on Saturdays.

For a tried and true experience, check your dog into the New York Dog Spa & Hotel or Hotel Bark Avenue uptown — the latter is the only crate-free hotel in the city with a real backyard. It’s also worth checking out DOGMA, an Asian-founded hotel in West Village that offers everything from play groups to training to overnight open-plan suites.

While you’re in the area, pick up world-class treats from Zoomies. Love Thy Beast in East Village has LaCroix shaped plush toys too, if you’re into that kind of thing.

Dog-Friendly Parks & Outdoors

Though New York City isn’t admittedly known for its abundance of green, we’ve found you can uncover little pockets of oasis anywhere you look hard enough. For days when all you want is to let your dog run free, spread a blanket out at these protected gems:

• Leroy Street Dog Park off the West Side Highway; it has an all-around fence and fresh water fountain, plus views across the Hudson that don’t get old.
• Tribeca Dog Run along Pier 26; for our friends on either side of the scale. Another stop along the Hudson River, this one with designated areas for smaller and larger dogs.
• Tompkins Square Dog Run in East Village; One of the most beloved and lowkey spacious dog spots in the city. We love it because it’s tucked just out of subways’ reach (less people!) and right next to bagels, coffee, and cocktails. Not to mention the yearly Halloween Dog Parade.
• East River Esplanade Dog Run in LES; a true classic. Fully fenced and refreshingly clean after a long day of smokey city air.
• Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn; the borough’s first park goes for miles of green as far as your dog can run. Bring a book and snacks for the perfect Sunday afternoon.
• Prospect Park Dog Run in Brooklyn; so! much! off-leash! room! There’s not a pandemic-induced hobby you can’t indulge along the grassy knolls.

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Local Organizations & Shelters to Support

City dogs are special creatures. They’re tough, honest, gentle yet resilient — and so deserving of good homes. New York’s no-kill shelters, like the Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC),  Muddy Paws Rescue, and Hearts & Bones Rescue.

Did we miss your favorite spot? Comment below and share your wisdom. No gatekeeping here!