26 Boston restaurants, beer gardens can begin welcoming dogs to outdoor spaces
Program begins June 1
Program begins June 1
Program begins June 1
Starting Thursday, 26 Boston restaurants and beer gardens can begin allowing dogs into outdoor spaces across the city.
The Dorchester Brewing Company announced they will be among the first businesses to welcome dogs to their outdoor patio.
"All puppers, pooches, woofers, and floofers welcome!" the brewery wrote.
Mayor Michelle Wu announced last month a new policy from the Boston Inspectional Services Department's Health Division allowing restaurants to create spaces where dog owners and their pets can be together.
All Boston restaurants and beer gardens with outdoor space can apply for a "Dog Friendly Spaces" variance, and the city said those establishments could be ready to welcome dogs and their owners as soon as June 1 if their application is approved.
The dog-friendly spaces must be entirely outdoors and establishments will be required to ensure that no food preparation is conducted in those spaces.
Anyone who brings a dog to an outdoor dining area is responsible for the behavior of that pet, and the dog must also be on a leash.
According to the city, the policy change was made in response to feedback from Boston residents who have expressed interest in having their pets join them while they eat or drink outside.