Dog-Friendly Dining In D.C.: Arlington To Allow Dogs At Outdoor Restaurants

Dog-Friendly Dining In D.C. Area
ALEXANDRIA, VA - JUNE 30, 2009: Dogs and their owners enjoy Doggie Happy Hour at Hotel Monaco. Every Tuesday and Thursday night during warm weather, the hotel welcomes canines to their courtyard where everyone can meet and greet. Old Town Alexandria is known for being dog friendly. (Photo by Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor/Getty Images)
ALEXANDRIA, VA - JUNE 30, 2009: Dogs and their owners enjoy Doggie Happy Hour at Hotel Monaco. Every Tuesday and Thursday night during warm weather, the hotel welcomes canines to their courtyard where everyone can meet and greet. Old Town Alexandria is known for being dog friendly. (Photo by Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON -- Good news for Arlington dog owners: the city's health department now lets restaurants apply for a variance to allow dogs in outdoor dining areas.

This comes just months after the public health department reminded restaurants that non-service animals weren't allowed in any dining areas, ARLnow points out. At the time, Arlington County Department of Human Services spokesman Kurt Larrick said that "[t]he presence of animals would create a risk of people getting sick due to fecal contamination."

The policy reversal comes as D.C. gears up for warmer weather and outdoor dining season. As we wait to see which Arlington restaurants will offer dog-friendly dining, here are 10 places where pooches are already welcome:

Art and Soul

Dog-Friendly D.C. Dining

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