Pet-friendly Pensacola: Bars, restaurants and parks that cater to four-legged friends (2025)

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

Pet-friendly Pensacola: Bars, restaurants and parks that cater to four-legged friends (2)

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

Pet-friendly Pensacola: Bars, restaurants and parks that cater to four-legged friends (3)

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
Pet-friendly Pensacola: Bars, restaurants and parks that cater to four-legged friends (2025)

FAQs

Pet-friendly Pensacola: Bars, restaurants and parks that cater to four-legged friends? ›

Other dog-friendly spaces in Pensacola worth a visit include Agapi Bistro & Garden, Cactus Cantina Mexican Grill, Crabs on Pensacola Beach, Dog House Downtown, East Hill Pizza, End of The Line Cafe, Five Sisters Blue Cafe, Gaby's Taqueria, George Bistro + Bar, Jaco's Bayfront Bar & Grille, Mellow Mushroom Pensacola, ...

Are dogs allowed on Pensacola Boardwalk? ›

So, here are some friendly rules and tips for bringing Fido to the island: Dogs are welcome at the designated dog beaches located at parking lots 21.5 and 28.5 only. All other public beach areas and parks on Pensacola Beach are off limits to dogs.

Is the Pensacola Beach Resort pet-friendly? ›

Is The Pensacola Beach Resort pet-friendly? Unfortunately, most of Santa Rosa Island does not allow pets. Therefore, the resort is not pet-friendly. The Pensacola Beach Resort guarantees the right of people with disabilities to be accompanied by a trained service animal in the hotel and all public spaces.

Is Perdido Key beach pet-friendly? ›

Perdido Key River Road Park, FL

This lovely park sits on Old River on Perdido Key, near to the main road, and boasts a narrow, fenced pet-friendly beach where dogs can explore off-leash.

Are dogs allowed in stores in Florida? ›

What Florida law says about support and service animals. Are dogs allowed in the supermarket? Unless you have a formally designated service animal, you'll need to shop without your dog — and it's illegal to pass your dog off as a service animal when it isn't, according to state and federal law.

Can you take your dog to the beach in Florida? ›

Pets are welcome on all Gulf County beaches except for St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, William J "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Area and Eglin Airforce Base property on the elbow of Cape San Blas. Animals must remain on a leash at all times, it's the law. Bring a long lead leash so you and your pet can be active.

Can you drink beer on the beach in Pensacola? ›

What are the rules regarding alcohol on and around Pensacola Beach? Adult beverages are allowed on the beach. Glass containers, underage drinking and public drunkenness are not. The west side of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier is an alcohol-free zone.

Are dogs allowed at the Pensacola Seafood Festival? ›

the Pensacola Seafood Festival or Fiesta Pensacola. Can I bring my pet to the festival? We are animal lovers too. However, pets are not allowed on festival grounds - City of Pensacola Code, Section 4-2-33B.

Does Fort Pickens allow dogs? ›

No pets allowed on the beach. Pets must be on a six-foot leash and attended to at all times. A fishing license is required to fish in the park, except for on the Fort Pickens fishing pier. The use of UTVs/ATVs, skateboards, scooters, golf carts, and segways are not allowed in the park.

Is Margaritaville Pensacola pet-friendly? ›

For our guest safety there are designated areas where dogs are allowed. As a general rule, dogs are not allowed where food is prepared, stored, and/or served; in the fitness center, spa, and/or in pool areas.

Is Portofino Pensacola pet-friendly? ›

Check-out time is prior to 10:00 a.m. NO-SHOW POLICY: Reservations that do not arrive as scheduled will result in forfeiture of all payments made to date. NO PETS OR SMOKING ARE ALLOWED IN THE CONDO. RESTRICTED VEHICLES: Golf carts, motorcycles, R.V.s, boats, and trailers are not permitted beyond the resort gate.

Are dogs allowed at bands on the beach in Pensacola? ›

No pets are allowed and glass is prohibited. Bands on the Beach is at 7 p.m. and begins the first Tuesday in April and ends the last Tuesday in October. Concerts are provided and organized by the Santa Rosa Island Authority. For more information call the SRIA at (850) 932-2257.

Which beaches in Pensacola are dog friendly? ›

Park East is the east end park at lot E, just past the Portofino Island Resort. The designated dog beach is at lot 28.5, where you can take your dog out for some fun in the sun! Pensacola Beach Park West: Located at Lot B, just past the last Gulf condos, Park West is the second dog-friendly park on Pensacola Beach.

Is Dauphin Island beach pet-friendly? ›

Pets are allowed on Dauphin Island public beaches. However, there are two enforced laws that any pet owner should be familiar with and abide by: pets must be picked up after (using bags and trash cans available at most beach access points), and pets must be kept on leashes at all times.

Where are service dogs allowed in Florida? ›

Both Florida service dog laws and federal law mandate that service dogs must be allowed in almost all public accommodations and commercial facilities, including government offices, both private and public schools, colleges, universities, restaurants, hotels, theaters, retail stores, recreational facilities, and public ...

Can dogs go to Salvation Mountain? ›

Leashed dogs welcome. You can ascend Salvation Mountain, but please stay on the designated path. Guided tours can be arranged with advance notice. Info@salvationmountain.org.

Do Florida shelters allow pets? ›

If you are going to a public emergency shelter, it is important to remember that most shelters DO NOT PERMIT PETS, although they DO PERMIT SERVICE ANIMALS. There may be pet-friendly shelters located in your area, but you will need to research that in advance to find out where those pet-friendly shelters are located.

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