Summer’s here and the weather’s fine.  You and your furry best friend want to get out and enjoy it, but you’re already bored of circling the same cement route.  “There must be more to do,” you say, “but what?”  Believe it or not, quite a lot:


In its sixth year, Doggie Happy Hour at the Holiday Inn Select in Old Town Alexandria is an April-October institution providing a fun meeting place for people and pups each Tuesday and Thursday from 5-8 p.m.  Dogs can select from a rainbow array of bone-shaped treats or slurp from readily available water bowls. People can enjoy beer and wine specials sold at an outdoor bar, or bring food out from Annabelle’s Pub.
The event draws anywhere from 30 to over 100 people each night, says Chris Velo, the hotel’s food and beverage director. The biggest crowd appears for the annual end-of-season Halloween costume party.  It’s not just dogs and their owners either.  “We’re nondiscriminatory at Doggie Happy Hour,” said Velo describing a regular who comes with a pig on a leash.
No pet? No problem.  “A lot of families bring kids here to play with the dogs because they don’t have a dog,” said Jim Bresnock, who loves the happy hour so much he regularly drives the 30 miles from Dumfries with his wife, Liz, and their dogs Daisy and Possum. “I come here for my dog fix,” agrees the dogless Richard Koris of the District. 480 King St., Old Town Alexandra, 703-549-6080; www.doggiehappyhour.com

    Just across the street from the Holiday Inn is Ireland’s Own, a restaurant that invites dogs to dine with their owners and even offers a doggie menu (featuring four entrees—each served with a bone).  Pat Troy, the owner, worked with the city of Alexandria two decades ago to get permission for dogs to eat in a special section of the pub’s outdoor brick patio. “Alexandria is probably one of the most dog-friendly cities in the United States,” says manager Kathleen Molloy. Now your dog won’t have to wait for you to bring a doggie bag from your dinner out, and he can even have his own birthday party out on the town.  With outdoor heat lamps, the patio is open year-round. 111 N. Pitt St., Old Town Alexandria, 703-549-4535; www.pattroysirishpub.com

    Even dogs can get in on the Adams Morgan bar scene.  The Adam’s Mill Bar & Grill welcomes dogs on its patio every day with complimentary water and treats.  On Fridays, from spring through fall, the bar co-sponsors Yappy Hour with Doggie Style Bakery & Boutique and City Dogs, which regularly brings along rescued dogs that need to be adopted. Specials for people include $1 drafts and half-priced appetizers.  The best part is that you will be doing good while you drink – $1 of each food item sold and half of the profits go to The Washington Animal Rescue League. 1813 Adams Mill Rd., NW, 202-332-9577, www.doggiestylebakery.com

Benefit your pet and others. The pet-friendly happy hour at Helix Lounge takes place on their spacious outdoor patio and benefits the Washington Humane Society.

While dogs snack on complimentary doggie treats and drink spring water served in individual bowls, their owners can sip on specialty cocktails like the Pet Peeve Martini, the Pooch Hooch, and the Tail Ale. A Bark Bites menu will feature treats for both pet and master. Pups can opt for a healthy Helix dog bone cookie or snack mix, and humans can choose from happy hour specials including the Top Dog Quesadilla, Corn Dogs, and No Bones About It Buffalo Tenders.

Each week the Washington Humane Society will bring an adoptable dog to meet patrons and maybe even find a new home. The lounge will pay special honor to the rescued pup by naming a specialty cocktail after him/her for the evening. Hotel Helix will donate a complimentary overnight stay to any patron who adopts a dog through the happy hour as a fun way for dog and owner to bond with one another. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from the happy hour will be donated to the Humane Society. Helix Lounge
1430 Rhode Island Ave., NW, 202-462-9001, www.helixlounge.com.

Are you and your pet a little more laid back?  Would he be a parrot head if he could?  Head on down to Cantina Marina on the Southwest waterfront on Monday evenings for their dog happy hour.  The restaurant is right on the water with an incredible view of the city and the mood is right out of Key West. Dogs are treated to a complimentary Milk Bone bar, while humans can munch on $1 corn and chili dogs. A cold beer and a waterside breeze and you’re all set. 600 Water St., SW, Washington, 202-554-8396, www.cantinamarina.com.

Party animals unite.  Republican or Democrat one thing Capitol Hill residents can agree on is dogs.  The hill is crawling with them (we really do mean the four legged kind) and on Saturdays from noon until four pm you can find them parked on the patio at Union Pub. The huge streetside covered patio is a perfect escape from the heat, as are the $14 frozen margarita pitchers!  201 Massachusetts Ave., NE, 202-546-7200, www.unionpubdc.com

If your dog is disappointed at being permanently benched during your kickball games, sign up for flyball, a sport that gets you both involved in the action.  Started in California in the late 1960s, flyball is a competition in which two teams of four dogs race relay-style through an obsticle course.  “It’s a good way to meet people and spend time with your dog,” said Linda Kriete of Silver Spring who is the co-captain of 4 Dog Night, a team that operates out of the Coventry School for Dogs in Columbia.  It’s easy to learn more and get involved.  “Most teams hold classes,” said Kriete. “They’ll let you come watch and ask questions to find out more about the sport.”  There are over a dozen teams in the D.C. area, but none inside the District itself.  301-949-0448, www.4dognightflyballclub.org, www.flyball.org

If you and your dog are looking to go beyond the concrete and enjoy the great outdoors, check out K9 Trailblazers, a group that has been organizing hikes for people and their pups about once a month for the past seven years.  “Anyone can join a hike,” said co-founder and organizer Jeff Bolognese.  “All we ask is that they are physically prepared for the hike and follow our hike guidelines.” www.k9trailblazers.org

For those who have money to spare for luxuries and gas, there is Fredericksburg’s Pup ‘N Iron Canine Fitness & Learning Center.  It’s like a canine country club with offerings including daycare, training, classes, open gym sessions, hydrotherapy, a pro shop and even catered birthday parties complete with pupcakes.  “I’ve tried to create the best possible environment for dogs to be in,” said Laurie Williams who opened the unique center only seven months ago.  This includes making sure only healthy, well mannered dogs are allowed in to keep things save and civilized.  21 Perchwood Dr., Unit 111, Fredericksburg; 540-659-7045; www.pupniron.com

For information on more happy hours, restaurants, teams and special activities you and your dog can try around D.C. check out www.metropets.org, an animal yellow pages for the metro region.