Updated for 2026 with current dog-friendly venue listings, new dog park openings, restaurant recommendations, and accommodation options in Nashville.

Dog-Friendly Nashville: Where to Go With Your Pup

Nashville is a city that knows how to have a good time, and that extends to the dogs. Music City has transformed over the past decade from a regional destination into a major tourist hub, and the dog-friendly infrastructure has grown right alongside it. Between the honky-tonks and hot chicken joints, Nashville has cultivated a welcoming attitude toward four-legged visitors that makes it one of the best dog-friendly cities in the South.

I spent a week in Nashville with my rescued Hound mix, Dolly (yes, named after who you think), and was consistently surprised by how many places rolled out the welcome mat for her. From Broadway to East Nashville, from Centennial Park to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway, Nashville delivered an experience that was just as fun for Dolly as it was for me.

Dog-Friendly Neighborhoods

East Nashville

East Nashville is the most dog-friendly neighborhood in the city and my top recommendation for a base. This eclectic neighborhood across the Cumberland River from downtown has an incredible concentration of dog-friendly restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and boutiques. The sidewalks are lined with dogs at almost any hour, and the neighborhood’s parks and greenways provide excellent walking routes.

Key streets to explore: Five Points area (where Woodland Street, 11th Street, and Clearwater Avenue intersect), Gallatin Avenue (restaurants and shops), and Shelby Avenue (leading to Shelby Park and Bottoms).

12 South

A trendy neighborhood with boutique shops, restaurants, and the famous “I Believe in Nashville” mural. The stretch of 12th Avenue South is walkable and many businesses welcome dogs. Sevier Park, at the south end, has open green space for leashed walks.

The Gulch

Nashville’s upscale urban neighborhood. While more concrete than green, The Gulch has several dog-friendly restaurants and the area is walkable. The 505 Dog Park (on the rooftop of a parking garage) is a unique urban amenity.

Germantown

One of Nashville’s oldest neighborhoods, now home to excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and the Nashville Farmers Market. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor market and at many restaurant patios.

Dog-Friendly Dining

Nashville’s food scene is booming, and dogs are invited to the party (at outdoor tables, at least).

Hot Chicken

Nashville’s most famous culinary export. While you cannot bring your dog inside most hot chicken joints, several have outdoor seating or walk-up windows:

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (Multiple locations): The Midtown location has a line out the door, but dogs are welcome to wait with you (it is all outdoors). Grab your chicken and eat at one of the outdoor picnic tables. The “hot” level is no joke; “medium” is plenty for most people.

Prince’s Hot Chicken (Multiple locations): The original Nashville hot chicken restaurant. Limited outdoor seating. Worth the visit for the history and the heat.

Party Fowl (Multiple locations): A more restaurant-style hot chicken experience with patios that welcome dogs. Good cocktails alongside the chicken.

Restaurants With Dog-Friendly Patios

The Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden (East Nashville): An outstanding burger joint with a massive beer garden that is one of the best dog-friendly dining spaces in the city. German-style sausages, creative burgers, and a deep beer list. Dogs everywhere on warm evenings.

Edley’s Bar-B-Que (Multiple locations): Excellent Tennessee-style barbecue with outdoor patios at several locations. The East Nashville location has a particularly dog-friendly patio. The brisket and pork shoulder are standouts.

Barista Parlor (Multiple locations): Nashville’s premier coffee roaster. Several locations have outdoor seating where dogs are welcome. The Germantown location is particularly spacious.

Mas Tacos Por Favor (East Nashville): A tiny taco stand with some of the best tacos in Nashville. Limited outdoor seating, dogs welcome. The elote (Mexican street corn) is legendary. Cash only.

Frothy Monkey (Multiple locations): Coffee shop and restaurant with dog-friendly patios. Full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The 12 South location is the original.

The Sutler Saloon (Melrose): Southern food with craft cocktails. Large patio, dogs welcome. Live music on many evenings.

Pinewood Social (Downtown): A trendy social club with bowling, a pool, and a great restaurant. The outdoor area is dog-friendly.

Dog-Friendly Breweries and Bars

Nashville’s brewery scene is growing rapidly, and most breweries welcome dogs.

Breweries

East Nashville Beer Works: Great beer, a fun taproom, and an outdoor area where dogs are common. Neighborhood brewery feel.

Southern Grist Brewing (East Nashville and The Nations): Creative, inventive beers (smoothie sours, pastry stouts) with a loyal following. Dogs welcome in outdoor areas.

Bearded Iris Brewing (Germantown): One of the most respected breweries in the Southeast, known for their hazy IPAs. Dogs welcome on the patio.

TailGate Brewery (Multiple locations): Family and dog-friendly with large outdoor areas, games, and food trucks. Their flagship Peanut Butter Milk Stout is a Nashville classic.

Tennessee Brew Works (Downtown): Located near Broadway, this brewery has a nice outdoor area and serves food alongside their beer. Dogs welcome outside.

Bars

The Treehouse (East Nashville): A bar in a converted Victorian house with multiple outdoor areas and one of the most relaxed dog-friendly atmospheres in the city.

Dino’s (East Nashville): A dive bar with a legendary cheeseburger and a patio where dogs are part of the scene.

Acme Feed & Seed (Broadway): A multi-story venue on Lower Broadway. The rooftop bar has views of the Cumberland River, and dogs are allowed on the rooftop level.

Dog Parks

Nashville has several excellent off-leash dog parks.

Top Dog Parks

Shelby Dog Park (East Nashville) The best dog park in Nashville. Located within the massive Shelby Park complex, it features separate areas for large and small dogs, water features, shade structures, and benches. The park is well-maintained and has a loyal community of regulars. Adjacent to the Shelby Bottoms Greenway for post-park walks.

Centennial Dog Park (West End) Located in Centennial Park, home of the full-scale Parthenon replica. The dog park is fenced with separate areas by size. It is conveniently located near several Midtown neighborhoods and restaurants.

Two Rivers Dog Park (Donelson) A large off-leash area with river access. Dogs can swim in the creek that runs through the park. Good shade and space. Less crowded than Shelby or Centennial.

Warner Dog Park (West Nashville) A newer dog park with excellent facilities including water fountains for dogs and humans, waste stations, and good fencing.

Edwin Warner Park (off-leash trails) While not a fenced dog park, Edwin Warner Park has trails where dogs are commonly off-leash (officially they should be leashed, but enforcement is minimal on certain trails). The park has extensive forest trails and is a favorite of local dog owners.

Walking and Greenways

Shelby Bottoms Greenway

The crown jewel of Nashville’s greenway system. This paved path winds for over 5 miles through Shelby Bottoms, a 960-acre natural area along the Cumberland River. The greenway passes through forests, open fields, and alongside the river. It is flat, well-maintained, and heavily used by dog walkers, joggers, and cyclists.

Starting from Shelby Park, you can walk or bike the greenway all the way to the Two Rivers area. Side trails branch off into the woods for more secluded walks. This was Dolly’s absolute favorite spot in Nashville.

Cumberland River Greenway

A growing network of paths along the Cumberland River. The section between Downtown and East Nashville (crossing the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge) offers excellent views of the skyline and is a popular walking route.

Radnor Lake State Park

Located 20 minutes south of downtown, Radnor Lake State Park is a 1,368-acre state natural area with hiking trails around a beautiful lake. Dogs are allowed on the Lake Trail (paved, 2.5 miles around the lake) but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Dogs are NOT allowed on the other trails. It is a beautiful and peaceful walk.

Percy Warner Park

A 2,684-acre park managed by Nashville Parks and Recreation in the hills west of Nashville with extensive hiking trails. Dogs must be on leash on all trails. The Mossy Ridge Trail (4.5 miles) and the Deep Well Trail (2.5 miles) are popular options.

Music and Entertainment With Your Dog

Lower Broadway

Nashville’s famous honky-tonk strip. While dogs are not allowed inside the honky-tonks (health code regulations), the experience of walking Broadway with your dog on a Saturday night is something else entirely. The music spills out of every doorway, the energy is electric, and Dolly got more attention from passersby than most of the street performers.

Some venues on Broadway have outdoor areas where dogs may be welcome, but this varies by establishment and time of day. Always ask first.

Live Music Patios

Several music venues with outdoor stages welcome dogs:

• The Bluebird Cafe: Does not allow dogs, but worth a solo visit
• 3rd and Lindsley: Occasional outdoor events may welcome dogs
• Live on the Green (annual festival in Public Square Park): Outdoor festival that is generally dog-friendly

Touring With Your Dog

The Grand Ole Opry: Dogs are not allowed inside, but the grounds and nearby Opry Mills area are walkable.

Country Music Hall of Fame: No dogs inside, but the surrounding SoBro (South of Broadway) neighborhood is great for walking.

Ryman Auditorium: No dogs inside the “Mother Church of Country Music,” but the alley behind it and the surrounding streets are atmospheric.

For couples or groups, one person can attend indoor venues while the other explores the city with the dog. Nashville’s walkability makes this very manageable.

Pet-Friendly Accommodations

Hotels

Kimpton Aertson Hotel (Midtown): No pet fees, no size restrictions. Premium location near Vanderbilt and 12 South. Modern, upscale rooms.

Graduate Nashville (Midtown): A quirky, music-themed hotel near Vanderbilt. Pets welcome for a modest fee. Great rooftop bar (dogs allowed on the rooftop patio).

Noelle Nashville (Downtown): A boutique hotel in a restored 1930s building. Pets welcome with a fee. Walking distance to Broadway and the riverfront.

Thompson Nashville (The Gulch): Upscale hotel with a rooftop bar. Pets welcome for a fee. Excellent location for exploring The Gulch and 12 South.

Holiday Inn and Suites Nashville Downtown: Budget-friendly option that accepts pets. Walking distance to Broadway.

Vacation Rentals

Nashville has extensive Airbnb and VRBO options. East Nashville rentals with fenced yards are ideal for dogs. Expect to pay $100-250 per night for a two-bedroom in a good neighborhood. Many hosts charge a modest pet fee ($25-50).

Practical Tips

Weather

Nashville has a humid subtropical climate:

• Summer (June-August): Hot and humid. Highs in the low to mid 90s. Walk dogs early morning and evening. Carry water.
• Fall (September-November): Beautiful. Warm days, cool nights. October is ideal.
• Winter (December-February): Mild compared to northern cities. Highs in the 40s-50s. Occasional ice storms.
• Spring (March-May): Warm and green. Pollen can be heavy in April.

Getting Around

Nashville’s public transit is limited. A car or rideshare is the most practical way to get around. Lyft and Uber are both active; most drivers will accept dogs, but ask before entering. Some dedicated pet-friendly rideshare services operate in Nashville.

Downtown and East Nashville are walkable once you are there. The pedestrian bridge connecting them is a great walk.

Local Pet Stores

The Dog Spot (East Nashville): A local favorite for premium dog food, treats, and supplies. Also offers grooming and self-wash stations.

Nashville Pet Products Center (Multiple locations): Good selection of food and supplies.

Wags and Whiskers (12 South): Boutique pet shop with curated treats and toys.

Budget Planning

Category	Estimated Daily Cost
Hotel (downtown/midtown)	$150-300
Vacation rental (East Nashville)	$100-200
Dining out	$30-60
Brewery/bar visits	$15-30
Rideshare/parking	$15-30
Dog park	Free
Greenway walking	Free

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day	Activities
Day 1	East Nashville exploration, Pharmacy Burger beer garden lunch, Shelby Bottoms Greenway walk, Southern Grist for afternoon beers, dinner at Edley’s patio
Day 2	Radnor Lake morning hike, 12 South shopping and coffee at Frothy Monkey, afternoon at Centennial Park (see the Parthenon), Lower Broadway evening walk
Day 3	Shelby Dog Park morning, Germantown brunch, Nashville Farmers Market, Percy Warner Park hike, farewell dinner at The Sutler

Final Thoughts

Nashville is a city that rewards exploration, and having a dog with you only makes it better. The brewery patios, the greenways, the dog parks, the restaurant scene, all of it is enhanced by canine companionship. Dolly charmed everyone she met, from brewery bartenders to Broadway buskers, and Nashville charmed us right back.

If you are planning a city trip and want a destination where your dog will be welcomed, entertained, and possibly spoiled, Nashville belongs at the top of your list.

---

You Might Also Like

• Dog-Friendly Breweries and Wineries: Complete Guide
• Dog-Friendly Smoky Mountains: Trail Guide
• Hotel Pet Policies Compared: What to Expect