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- Paws & Play: A Dog-Friendly Guide to Little Rock 🐾
Paws & Play: A Dog-Friendly Guide to Little Rock 🐾
We partnered with Susan Taylor, Dog lover, rescue advocate, and founder of Pits & Chis Whiz. Susan has shared stories with The Dodo, Newsweek, and local shelters to help pups find homes. She created this guide to share her favorite dog-friendly spots around Little Rock: places to eat, walk, play, and connect with your furry best friend.
Little Rock Daily & Susan Taylor
July 18, 2025
Puppy Community
There’s a new pint-sized pet boutique in Pettaway, and it’s definitely the main character of Little Rock pet shops. You and your fur bestie will find shelves full of top-notch food, treats, chews, toys, and outfits. Be sure to check out their collab with local brand Pits & Chis Whiz and snag an iconic Rescue Little Rock Pit Bulls tee. Don’t miss the water bowl out front
Lucky Lou’s
Lucky Lou’s in the River Market is a tail-waggin’ second home for you and your pup. They regularly host rescue events, serve up great drinks, and always have fresh water and treats ready for visiting dogs. It’s a fun, dog-loving hangout that’s always full of friendly faces.
Bark Bar & Grille
50% playground. 50% patio paradise. 100% the place to be. Bark Bar & Grille is freshly revamped and is the ultimate hangout for dog lovers and fur besties. They’ve got it all: yummy food, ice-cold drinks, and even a doggie splash pad. Dogs of all sizes, breeds, and excitement levels live their best off-leash life while you get to kick back with full service, iconic outdoor vibes, and the biggest TV screen in Little Rock.
Hounds Lounge
📍 Multiple locations throughout Arkansas, including:
Need a luxury pet resort that knows how to treat your dog like royalty? Hounds Lounge has you covered for daycare, overnight stays, and grooming. Your fur bestie will be in the best paws possible thanks to cage-free play areas, cozy pet suites, and 24/7 professionally trained staff. Bonus: if you're a shelter or animal rescue volunteer, you can bathe adoptable pups for free. The Hounds Lounge team loves to support local shelters and believes all dogs deserve to be pampered.
Paws 2 Create
Tucked away in the heart of the Pettaway neighborhood, Paws 2 Create is on hand (or should we say paw?) to provide your pup with full-on spa luxury. Fresh off their grand opening in May, this pet haven specializes in breed-specific care and soothing vibes. One thing’s for sure: your fur bestie will leave knowing that looking good feels amazing!
Knoop Park
Your fur bestie will love one of the most beautiful (and hidden!) views of the city thanks to this 1.4 mile trail in Hillcrest. It’s perfect for a leashed adventure, you can enjoy a wide, paved trail with scenic views of the Little Rock skyline and the Arkansas River, and your pup can enjoy watching the birds and soaking in the peaceful vibes. Find easy street parking at the intersection of Martin St. and Hill Rd., and then enter the park by the Hillcrest Water Tower.
Fassler Hall
Fassler Hall isn’t just for you; it’s for your pup, too! This queer-friendly German beer hall comes with cold brews, bartenders who never forget the water bowl for your pup, and the ultimate indoor/outdoor hangout. From the monthly Misfit Maker Market to drag brunches and patio hangs with golden-hour selfie lighting, this place consistently serves good vibes for our doggie friends.
The Root Cafe
📍 Two locations in Little Rock:
Downtown: 1500 S. Main, Little Rock, AR
Breckenridge: 10301 N Rodney Parham Rd Suite C3 & 4, Little Rock, AR
The Root Cafe is a beloved Little Rock staple that’s just as welcoming to dogs as it is to humans at both locations. Shady outdoor seating, garden vibes, and water bowls are always at the ready, so you know it’s the kind of spot where you’ll get the VIPup treatment. Expect tail wags, love from fellow dog lovers, and a lil post-brunch sunbathing for your fur bestie. Bonus: expect a menu packed with veggie and vegan options, so everyone leaves happy and full.
The Waiting Room: Lives on Pause
📍 420 E. 21st Street, Little Rock, AR (The Reading Room at Paper Hearts Bookstore)
This moving one-day photo exhibit will share the stories of shelter dogs through moments of heartbreak and hope. Every portrait is a tribute to dogs still waiting and to those we’ve loved and lost, and every dollar raised goes to Benton Animal Services. Snuggle adoptable dogs, and bid on silent auction items from amazing local sponsors like Hounds Lounge, Bark Bar, E.Leigh’s, Westside Wellness, and Fassler Hall. Reserve your donation-based ticket for the July 20 event, and help raise awareness for shelter dogs and for the animal overpopulation crisis Arkansas can’t ignore.
👉 Facebook | Eventbrite
Barkus on Main
Barkus on Main is the ultimate Mardi Gras paw-ty for you and your pup. Come for the fabulous parade with costume-clad canines and stay for the full-on street festival! Food, doggie vendors, beads, and a beer garden mean this annual Main Street takeover is a fetchin’ good time from start to finish.