According to recent studies by both Pew Research and Forbes somewhere between 62-66% of all U.S. households own at least one pet! That equates to around 86 million homes with millennials making up the majority of pet owners. Furthermore, one of the studies cites Florida as the #1 state with the “Most Spoiled Dogs.” Pensacola is no exception. Just type in “pet friendly [parks/beaches/events/dining] Pensacola” into any search engine and you will get lists of good options. Not only does Pensacola have dog beaches (I saw a cat there once, so there you go) and great dog parks, we even have the best Mardi Gras Pet Parade and celebration anywhere: the “Pawdi Gras!” If watching the illustrious parades with your favorite non-human companion is not enough, you and your favorite plus-one can be in the parade itself! Started by two amazing millennials who also founded WolfGang LLC, it is a penultimate way to celebrate with your beloved creature.
Yet on any given beautiful Saturday you can find hordes of pet lovers walking their companions downtown on Palafox. That should be no surprise considering the large population of millennials, young professionals and outdoor lovers in, and around Pensacola. Pet walking in downtown Pensacola, especially along Palafox, is so popular that a local Eagle Scout devoted his Eagle Project to building custom watering bowls for a slew of well-known local businesses downtown who agreed to maintain them. Well, this is great for our pets, but what about the human side of the equation? Where can we go to get treated to something nice while in the presence of our special friends? I’m not talking about just grabbing some simple treat and an average beer while sitting next to a water bowl, I am talking about treating yourself with some good wine!
I am a HUGE advocate for having a glass (just a glass) of wine at lunch. It is definitely the European in me. A cool and crisp Sauvignon Blanc, or the insightful Rioja during a summer lunch is UNBEATABLE! So where can you go and get a good glass of wine while out walking your pet? Here are the top three pet friendly locations that also serve good wine, and no surprise, the top three locations are all on Palafox.
In order from South to North:
Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grill. Great food with a suburb view of Pensacola Bay and Palafox Harbor, and most importantly, a good wine list. It is hard to get more pet friendly than Jaco’s, the restaurant is even named after the owner’s dog! I recommend the Blackened Mahi Reuben with a glass of Fleur de Mer Rosè, while you and your pet relax, and take in the views.
Carmen’s Lunch Bar & Tapas. As the name suggests it is Spanish based, an amazing fusion of Iberian Tapas and Gulf Coastal cuisine. As it is in its name, Carmen’s is a “Lunch Bar,” so come early! Carmen’s is open from 10am until 4pm and is usually full by 11:30am! Grab one of the few tables outside, and enjoy the people and pet watching as you have a great glass of Garnacha alongside my personal favorite sandwich in all of downtown, the open-faced crab sandwich.
The Wine Bar on Palafox. A mainstay for wine lovers downtown with a great wine menu and good food to boot. Find a table right on Palafox, in the covered alley, or even “out back” at the outdoor bar, no seat will disappoint. They also host several pet friendly events at the restaurant during the year. Order one of their fabulous charcuterie boards with any of their wines, or try the tuna spread with a chilled glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, to really round out an outing.
There are several other spots around town where you can get a good glass of wine while also doing a great job of accommodating your pet, but these are the top three for a reason. They are the easiest to walk to, have watering bowls, ensure both humans and non-humans have a good experience, and have good wine! So, if you find yourself walking your pet downtown and want some wine, check these places out, you may find yourself toasting your favorite companion. Cheers to that!