Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Nashville: Patios & Pet Policies
Finding a patio in Nashville is easy. Finding a restaurant that clearly says dogs are allowed is different. Pet policies can vary by location, patio layout and health-code requirements, so this guide sticks to Nashville restaurants and taprooms that publish a clear dog-friendly outdoor policy.
In general, the dog-friendly seating in this guide is outdoors only. Service animals follow different rules, and individual businesses can still restrict access during events, bad weather or patio closures.
Quick Answer
TailGate Brewery is the easiest multi-location option because the brewery explicitly says dogs are welcome on every taproom patio. Frothy Monkey allows well-behaved, leashed pets in designated outdoor seating areas, including its 12 South and East Nashville cafes. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint explicitly allows dogs on the patios at its Belmont and Midtown locations. Von Elrod’s welcomes dogs in its beer garden and patio in Germantown.
For restaurants beyond pet-friendly patios, use the main Nashville restaurants hub. If you are choosing a neighborhood first, see East Nashville restaurants and 12 South Nashville restaurants.
TailGate Brewery Headquarters — West Nashville
TailGate Brewery Headquarters is a 7-acre brewery campus with a full scratch pizza kitchen, a large outdoor area, covered space and free on-site parking. TailGate states that the location is family-friendly and that dogs are welcome on the patio.
This is one of the easiest dog-friendly choices when you want more outdoor room than a small sidewalk patio. TailGate Brewery Headquarters official page | Address: 7300 Charlotte Pike, Nashville, TN 37209.
TailGate Brewery Music Row
The Music Row taproom is on Demonbreun Street and serves pizza, salads, appetizers and TailGate beer, cider and seltzer. The brewery specifically says dogs are welcome on the patio.
Parking includes nearby street options and an adjacent paid lot, making it a practical dog-friendly stop near Midtown and Music Row without going all the way downtown. TailGate Brewery Music Row official page | Address: 1538 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37203.
TailGate Brewery East Nashville
TailGate’s East Nashville taproom on Gallatin Avenue has a full scratch pizza kitchen and an outdoor patio where dogs are welcome. The brewery shares a parking lot near Gallatin and Petway Avenue and publishes specific guidance about where guests should park.
This location fits naturally into an East Nashville day and can be paired with other neighborhood restaurants in our East Nashville restaurants guide. TailGate Brewery East Nashville official page | Address: 811 Gallatin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206.
TailGate Brewery Germantown
TailGate Germantown sits near First Horizon Park and Brooklyn Bowl. It serves pizza, salads and appetizers from a full kitchen, and the brewery says dogs are welcome on the patio.
Paid parking is available across the street, with some free street parking nearby. TailGate Brewery Germantown official page | Address: 915 3rd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201.
Frothy Monkey 12 South
Frothy Monkey’s original Nashville cafe has outdoor seating and a beer garden in 12 South. Its official policy welcomes well-behaved, leashed pets in outdoor seating areas while keeping pets and emotional support animals out of the indoor restaurant.
The cafe serves coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner, so it is one of the most flexible dog-friendly options for different times of day. Frothy Monkey 12 South official page | Address: 2509 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212.
Frothy Monkey East Nashville
Frothy Monkey East has an outdoor patio and explicitly describes it as dog-friendly dining. Dogs are allowed on the patio but not inside the restaurant.
The location serves the same all-day cafe format—coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine and cocktails—and has limited parking directly outside plus street parking. Frothy Monkey East Nashville official page | Address: 1701 Fatherland St, Nashville, TN 37206.
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint — Belmont
Martin’s Belmont location has a partially covered front patio where the restaurant explicitly says guests can bring their dogs. The restaurant serves West Tennessee-style barbecue, including whole hog, along with brisket, wings, burgers and other menu items.
This location sits between Belmont and Lipscomb universities and is close to the 12 South area. Martin’s Belmont official page | Address: 3108 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212.
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint — Midtown
Martin’s Midtown location on Elliston Place is close to Centennial Park and Vanderbilt and has a pet-friendly patio with an outdoor bar. The restaurant is open daily and uses the same counter-service format as other Martin’s locations.
If barbecue is your main priority, compare this location with the others in our Nashville BBQ restaurants guide. Martin’s Midtown official page | Address: 2400 Elliston Pl, Nashville, TN 37203.
Von Elrod’s Beer Hall & Kitchen — Germantown”
Von Elrod’s is a beer hall and kitchen in Germantown with a large outdoor beer garden and patio. The restaurant explicitly states that dogs are welcome in those outdoor areas.
The location is near First Horizon Park, making it useful before or after a Nashville Sounds game when the patio is operating normally. Von Elrod’s official website | Address: 1004 4th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219.
Dog-Friendly Patio Rules to Know
Outdoor seating is the rule. TailGate Brewery says dogs must remain outside, and Frothy Monkey’s pet policy also limits pets to designated outdoor seating. Service animals are treated separately under applicable law.
Keep dogs leashed. TailGate specifically asks guests to keep dogs on a leash, and Frothy Monkey describes its outdoor pet policy for well-behaved, leashed pets.
Weather matters. A restaurant may be dog-friendly but still close its patio because of heat, storms, cold weather, maintenance or a private event. A dog-friendly listing does not guarantee outdoor seating will be available on a particular day.
A Location-Specific Policy Matters
One of the most important examples is Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint. The Belmont and Midtown locations explicitly allow dogs on their patios, but the downtown Martin’s page specifically says four-legged friends are not permitted, including in the beer garden. That is why this guide links to the exact location instead of treating a restaurant brand as universally dog-friendly.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants by Neighborhood
12 South / Belmont: Frothy Monkey 12 South and Martin’s Belmont.
East Nashville: Frothy Monkey East and TailGate Brewery East Nashville.
Music Row / Midtown: TailGate Brewery Music Row and Martin’s Midtown.
Germantown: TailGate Brewery Germantown and Von Elrod’s.
West Nashville: TailGate Brewery Headquarters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs go inside Nashville restaurants?
Pet dogs generally should not be expected inside food-service establishments. The businesses in this guide allow dogs in specified outdoor areas. Service animals are subject to separate legal protections.
Are all Nashville patios dog-friendly?
No. A patio does not automatically mean pets are permitted. Restaurant policies can also differ between locations of the same brand. Always check the exact location’s current policy.
Which Nashville brewery patios allow dogs?
TailGate Brewery states that all of its taproom patios are dog-friendly, with dogs kept outside and on leash. This guide includes several Nashville TailGate locations with full kitchens.
Pet policies and patio availability can change. Check the restaurant’s current policy before traveling with your dog, especially during extreme weather or special events.
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