It’s Doggone Fun at Bethesda’s Bark Social

By Susan Able | from the EdibleDC Fall Issue

Imagine the best dog park ever, one where you and your dog can both get a drink and eats, play outside off-leash and meet new friends. This is Bark Social, a new dog-friendly venue in Bethesda, where there are no breed restrictions and an extensive menu for humans and dogs alike is available.

Bark Social co-founders Luke Silverman and Jeff Kurtzman were inspired to create this concept as a way to combine their passion for hospitality and their love for dogs. The all-day menu includes food and beverages from local businesses. Think Ceremony Coffee, Union Kitchen’s EatPizza, empanadas from DC Empanadas, Bavarian pretzels from Das Pretzel Haus, and baked goods and sandwiches from Fresh Baguette.

There’s a canine menu too: chicken and beef “pupsicles” and “pupcakes” with peanut butter frosting from Lil Cakes & Creamery.

And the best part for some visitors is the beer wall filled with taps from local brewers. Even your four-legged best friend can imbibe with you with nonalcoholic beer supplied by Houston-based Good Boy Brewing Company.

To keep the wheels on this freewheeling experience, dogs must be registered with proof of vaccination, and all dogs over 8 months of age must be neutered. Day passes start at $9.99 for weekdays and $14.99 for weekends, with $4.99 for a second dog. Registering online makes entry very easy, the owners strongly suggest visitors do that on their website at www.barksocial.com. In love with this? You can also buy yearly and monthly memberships.

 Bark Social, 935 Prose St, North Bethesda, MD 20852 | Sun-Thursday, 8am-10pm, Fri-Sat, 8am-11pm