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Millcreek Journal

Many restaurant patios in Salt Lake County offer a chill spot for diners and their dogs

Aug 08, 2024 11:26AM ● By Bailey Chism

Red Rock Brewing Company, at 6227 S. State St. in Murray. (Bailey Chism/City Journals)

The weather is warm and we all know what that means…patios are great places to dine. 

​If your dog enjoys relaxing in the warm breeze during the summer, they’ll love tagging along to restaurants, but not all restaurants allow dogs on their patio. 

​The Salt Lake County Health Department announced which Salt Lake County bars and restaurants have been approved to allow dogs on their patios this summer. Dog owners will be happy to learn that more than 40 bars and restaurants in the county have received the regulation variance for the 2024 season that legally allows them to welcome pups into their patios, according to a news release. 

​The variance only applies to dogs, not any other animal, and it doesn’t affect the rights of people with ADA service dogs to bring their animals into the public areas of a food establishment, the release stated. Emotional support animals, however, have to stay out of the dining room. 

​Businesses are required to post signs notifying customers that dogs may be allowed on the premises. Dogs won’t typically be allowed in the dining room, so dogs (and their humans) will need to use separate entrances. The approval is good for this summer season only, it may change again next year, so remember to keep an eye on your favorite restaurants for future dog endeavors. 

Fisher Brewing Company

Fisher Brewing Company has grown since it opened in 2017 at 320 W. 800 South in Salt Lake City’s Granary District. With several outdoor spaces including two front patios, a back patio, a central patio, and now a new rooftop patio, guests have more places than ever to kick back and relax with their furry friend. 

The rooftop is the conclusion of an expansion that began in 2021 and included adding a second main-floor bar, canning production area, and event spaces in a building next door, as well as a patio along the front of the building. 

​The rooftop patio features a shipping container that has been repurposed into a bar, retractable awnings for shade, tables, benches and views of the city. 

Tea Zaanti

​Tea Zaanti is a tea and wine bar at 1944 S. 1100 East in Sugar House. The surrounding mature trees, strings of lights, large shade umbrellas and numerous places to sit make for a great experience to grab a cup of tea, a glass of wine, or a bite to eat. Tea Zaanti recently started carrying bagels from The Bagel Project on weekends. 

​While the weather is warm, Tea Zaanti will be hosting live music on the patio every Friday at 5:30 p.m. Every other Thursday night they hold a wine tasting, and the $15 admission includes a menu item and a sampling of two different hard-to-find natural wines. 

​This makes for a great experience to enjoy with your friends and not have to worry about leaving your dog at home. 

Red Rock Brewery 

​Red Rock Brewery has several locations around Salt Lake County, including one near Fashion Place Mall in Murray at 6227 S. State St. 

​Red Rock Brewery first opened its doors in 1994 with high-quality craft beers and food. The brewery has been named “Brewpub of the Year” by Brewpub Magazine and “Large Brewpub of the Year” by the Great American Beer Festival. 

​You can stop by the brewery with your furry friend and enjoy one of their 30 core, seasonal and special release brands of beer.

TF Brewing 

​TF Brewing opened in 2018 at 936 S. 300 West in Salt Lake City’s Granary District. The patio started out much smaller than it is now, but the owners acquired the building west of the brewery in 2019 and were able to enlarge their outdoor space into the wide expanse it is today. 

​It’s filled with long wooden tables, Adirondack chairs, shady umbrellas, trees, potted plants and fire pits, and is decorated with strings of lights. During the weekends, the patio fills up quickly, but once you secure a seat for you and your furry friend, you can stay for as long as you like. 

​Evenings are filled with people chatting and playing games like cornhole, chess and Jenga; music playing; and dogs lounging. Most Sundays, when the weather is warm, you can enjoy the patio and listen to Slow Pour Sundays, a DJ set featuring only records. 

Mountain West Cider

​Mountain West Cider’s patio, The Garten, at 425 N. 400 West, is one of few outdoor gathering places in Salt Lake City’s Marmalade District. And recently, it got a bit of an update. 

​The Garten closed at the end of 2022, but officially reopened for the season with the Queer Food Festival earlier in May. The Garten has a new look that patio lovers will appreciate. There’s now enough seating for 200 people, and the addition of extra bathrooms, shade sails, umbrellas, and new landscaping with trees. 

​Bring your dog and enjoy live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and join in on Bingo on Tuesdays. 

For a full list of restaurants allowing dogs this summer, go to the Salt Lake County Health Department’s website