Stroll, eat, play downtown: A Guide for ‘Paw-rents’

With its soaring skyscrapers and heavy traffic, downtown Chicago may seem better equipped for two-legged visitors than four-legged ones, but Streeterville and New Eastside are home to plenty of businesses, restaurants and parks that welcome canine companions.

Miriam Allen, who lives in Streeterville with her husband George and the couple's dog Barkley, said one of the family's favorite pet-friendly pastimes is strolling along the Chicago Riverwalk. They often visit the Island Party Hut Tiki Bar and Grill, where Barkley has playdates with his dog friends while the Allens and their fellow "paw-rents" have a drink.

"Barkley has several friends around the neighborhood and George and I have made some good friends through the pups," Allen said.

Barkley often visits the PUPS Pet Club location in Streeterville for his grooming and daycare needs, including an appointment to get cleaned up and ready for his owners' recent wedding, where he dressed up in a miniature tuxedo. The dog day care center, which has additional locations in River North, Wicker Park and Lakeview, also offers services such as dog-walking and training.

Several local restaurants and businesses, such as LYFE Kitchen, D4 Irish Pub & Cafe and Foxtrot have accommodated Barkley's visits by providing water bowls when they stop by, Allen said.

"We really love this neighborhood and how dog friendly it is," Allen said. "Everyone that has visited me from out of town comments on how dog-friendly this area is and how nice all the owners are."

Allen's friend Caitlin Finn said her dog Maisie enjoyed spending time at two dog-friendly restaurants in Streeterville—Cupitol and Robert's Pizza and Dough Company—and was a big fan of the "Pupcups" from the Fido to Go food truck, which parks outside The Drunken Bean on Saturday mornings. The business specializes in gluten- and allergy-free dog treats such as cookies and frozen yogurts.

"She then likes to play in the dog park nearby, outside Mariano's," Finn said.

For Streeterville resident Bridget Igo, the outdoor patios at Foxtrot and Kanela Breakfast Club in Streeterville have been some of the best pet-friendly places for light food and drinks and brunch, respectively. Both businesses offer outdoor patios for dining.

Igo said she encouraged dog owners visiting the neighborhood to stop by the parks and gardens around Navy Pier.

"We’d also recommend visiting Olive Park once it re-opens, since they offer wide open spaces that are mostly fenced in," she said.

Blueberry, a potcake dog belonging to Streeterville residents Brandon and Alyse Kay, is a newer member of the community—the couple adopted him in December 2019 during their honeymoon. During his first year in Streeterville, Blueberry has gravitated toward the gated dog run at Bennett Park, where he enjoys running and playing without being on a leash, Brandon Kay said.

"We also walk over by Navy Pier and the lake, especially since the tourism has been down so significantly," Kay said. "It actually has been pretty pleasant, because there's just not a lot of foot traffic, so the dog's free to roam around and walk down by the boardwalk."

Blueberry visits the GoodVets Streeterville location for his health needs, Kay said. The practice offers traditional veterinary services such as check-ups and vaccines, urgent and emergency care and routine and advanced surgical procedures. Pet owners can also take advantage of telehealth options to communicate with a veterinarian remotely. 

Because Streeterville can be "kind of a concrete jungle," Kay said he would recommend dog owners visiting the neighborhood seek out places where dogs can truly act like dogs.

"Finding those areas—Lakeshore Park, One Bennett—that are dog friendly, that gives them an opportunity to exercise and run around is key," he said.