Pet Care in River North

Complete guide to dog ownership in River North, Chicago. Ward Park DFA, dog-friendly patios (Siena Tavern, Barrio), doorman building protocols, winter tips, and navigating this luxury urban neighborhood with your dog.

By Pawel Kaczmarek
Excellent Walkability
Ward 42 60654, 60610, 60611 Near Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago Brown/Purple Line

Local Tips from River North Dog Owners

  • Ward Park (Kingsbury & Erie) is the only true Dog Friendly Area (DFA) within River North boundaries - all others require a short walk
  • Chicago Riverwalk is dog-friendly (leashed) - enter near State Street for scenic walks with skyline views
  • Avoid gallery district sidewalks (Superior/Huron) on weekend evenings - crowds and broken glass risk
  • Most buildings have 24-hour doorman - coordinate building access codes/protocols in advance

Dog Parks in River North

All Chicago off-leash parks require a Dog Friendly Area (DFA) permit ($10/year).

Ward (A. Montgomery) Dog Friendly Area

630 N. Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60654

Surface mixed
Small dog area No
Hours 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Lake Shore East DFA

450 E. Benton Place, Chicago, IL 60601

Surface grass
Small dog area No
Hours 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Ohio Place Dog Park

350 W. Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60654

Surface mixed
Small dog area No
Hours Sunrise - Sunset
DFA Permit Guide →

Dog-Friendly Patios in River North

Siena Tavern

51 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654

Patio Seasonal
Heated Yes
Dog menu Yes

Dogs welcome on patio. "Puppy Ciao" dog menu: grilled chicken, beef, and pupsicles. Proceeds benefit PAWS Chicago. Water bowls provided.

Barrio

65 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654

Patio Seasonal
Dog menu Yes

Famous dog-friendly patio with full puppy menu (steak, chicken, salmon). All dog menu proceeds benefit PAWS Chicago. Staff loves dogs.

Clark Street Ale House

742 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Patio Seasonal
Dogs inside Yes

Dogs welcome on patio AND inside the bar. Hosts regular Yappy Hour events. One of the few indoor dog-friendly bars in River North.

Avli River North

702 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654

Patio Year-round
Heated Yes

Dogs welcome on spacious patio for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Water bowls provided. White-tablecloth-meets-dog-friendly atmosphere.

Untitled

111 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654

Patio Seasonal

Dogs welcome on heated patio. Sophisticated atmosphere with welcoming attitude toward well-behaved pups.

Three Dots and a Dash

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Patio Seasonal
Heated Yes

Dogs welcome on small outdoor seating area. Reservations recommended. Fun tropical vibe extends to four-legged guests.

Winter Walking

Wind tunnel effects between high-rises create brutal wind chill on north-south streets (Clark, LaSalle, Wells). River proximity adds lake-effect cold. Commercial sidewalks well-maintained but heavily salted - dog boots recommended. Limit walks to 15-20 minutes when wind chill below 20°F. Many luxury buildings have indoor pet relief areas for extreme weather.

Chicago Winter Walking Guide →

Veterinary Care Near River North

BluePearl Pet Hospital

24/7

3516 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Companion Animal Hospital River North

DFA Tags

749 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

312-643-2901

Mon-Fri 7AM-6PM, Sat 8AM-6PM

Boulevard Veterinary River North

DFA Tags

375 W. Erie St, Unit C102, Chicago, IL 60654

312-888-3630

Mon-Tue 8AM-8PM, Wed-Fri 8AM-6PM, Sat 8AM-4PM

Pet Care in Nearby Neighborhoods

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