BARK SOCIAL – WASHINGTON REGION’S FIRST “DOG BAR”

Article by Anicia Juarez

Originally published in Potomac Lifestyle

Dogs. Beer. Coffee – Bark Social, the experiential retail concept for dog enthusiasts, will feature a private, monitored off-leash dog park with an indoor/outdoor beer garden & coffee bar. Bark Social, the first “dog bar” in the Mid-Atlantic region, is planning to open around Thanksgiving with a 25,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor craft beer, wine and coffee bar and a professionally monitored off-leash dog park.

Founded by two entrepreneurs, Jeff Kurtzman & Luke Silverman who were looking to pursue their passion in hospitality and their love for their favorite furry friends, Bark Social is the first premium dog lover’s experiential retail experience to open its doors in the Mid-Atlantic region, coming this fall 2020. The 25,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor venue will feature craft beer, a wine and coffee bar and a professionally monitored off-leash dog park.

“There are now more pet-owning households than there are those with children, some 84.6 million strong as compared with 52.8 million with kids, or 41.4%.After traveling across the country from dog bar to dog bar, we knew there was something missing about the experience.” said Silverman, founder of Bark Social. “We look forward to bringing our unique concept to the neighborhood and making new two- and four-legged friends.”

More than a dog park, the year around venue offers beer, wine and coffee from local coffee roaster, Ceremony Coffee, small bites, a climate-controlled “clubhouse” with TVs and Wi-Fi, in addition to a “dog treat bar” (pupsicles and puppy ice cream), dog boutique and dog wash stations.

The Pike & Rose location will offer an array of events such as: "Doga" (dog yoga), daily "Yappy Hours" and also be a destination to watch sports and premieres of major reality shows. To kick off Bark Social’s launch, they’re offering founding members discounted annual memberships, in addition to discounted memberships for Frontline workers, active and retired Veterans and government employees.

For more information visit www.barksocial.com

[1] See Statista (2019) for research demonstrating the amount of households with pets.