New Jersey
Our big list of everything dog-friendly in North Jersey
For those of us with dogs, we can all probably agree that these pups are official members of our family. And that means there’s probably nothing we want more than to have them by our side at all times.
Between restaurants and bars, hiking trails and luxury pet salons and stores, there are so many pet-friendly places across our region, but you just have to know where to find them. To get you started, we’ve curated lists of all of these must-visit places. And we’ve also taken a deep dive into North Jersey’s favorite dog breeds, as well as what has made New Jersey such a dog-friendly state.
So dog lovers: Sit back, relax and enjoy some reading dedicated to all those Garden State pups.
We sure do love our dogs here in New Jersey. And while residents across the state likely have their own preferences for which dog breeds they consider to be their favorite, there are only a select few that can officially claim the title of being the Garden State’s most popular breeds.
The American Kennel Club, as well as U.S. News and World Report, each released their own rankings for New Jersey’s most popular dog breeds in 2024. Read the rankings and find out whether your pooch is among the state’s most popular pups.
Over the last several years, more people in New Jersey have been bringing their dogs everywhere, from restaurants and bars to department stores and pharmacies. The Garden State was also named the eighth most dog-friendly state in 2024, having more than 2,000 dog-friendly facilities, over 1,700 dog-friendly restaurants and nearly 400 dog-friendly hotels. Read about why more people like to bring their dogs out with them, and why New Jersey has become so much more dog-friendly.
Sometimes we’d just like to treat ourselves to a cold drink or a nice meal, but it’s tough to not feel guilty about leaving our furry friends behind. Luckily, there are plenty of dog-friendly spots across North Jersey, so you don’t have to.
While it’s impossible to name them all, we’ve compiled a list of 27 different dog-friendly breweries, bars and restaurants throughout North Jersey. All of these places feature an outdoor seating area where pups are welcome.
Our region is filled with some of the most beautiful natural attractions and green spaces in the country, and thankfully, many of these locations are dog-friendly. Considering one of the things dogs love most is going on walks, why not take them along to explore some of North Jersey’s most scenic destinations?
We created a list of 14 dog-friendly trails that you can hike in North Jersey. Some locations have natural terrain, while other areas offer pathed paths, so there are a variety of options available depending on you and your pup’s skill level.
North Jersey is no stranger to luxury, so it’s only fitting that even our pups get special treatment. From fancy spa experiences and elaborate grooming services, to speciality treats and unique toys, Garden State pups deserve the best of the best. So if you’re looking to spoil your pooch, we’ve compiled 15 must-visit luxury dog salons and stores right here in North Jersey.
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Our big list of everything dog-friendly in North Jersey
New Jersey
For FIFA World Cup, New Jersey encourages towns to extend alcohol sales at bars, restaurants
New Jersey is trying to help bars and restaurants cash in on the FIFA World Cup by letting them sell more alcohol throughout the tournament.
Over a pint of Guinness at Mulligan’s Pub in Hoboken, Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Monday signed a proclamation encouraging municipalities to temporarily extend alcohol sales during matches.
“This is the first time I’ve signed a proclamation in a bar,” said Sherrill.
What could change?
The goal is to convince local leaders to let bars and restaurants open earlier or stay open later to align with the World Cup schedule across time zones.
Changes would vary from town to town, since the proclamation does not mandate any changes to local rules. It simply gives the option to adjust them during the 39-day event.
“It’s allowing businesses to really get some good economic impact from the World Cup,” said Sherrill.
Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour said she’s open to the idea.
“I think we’ll be taking this into consideration as a great option for us,” Jabbour said. “We’ve been actively working with our public safety departments to make sure that all of the logistics around World Cup are coordinated appropriately.”
Bar owner expects big crowds
Mulligan’s Pub owner Louis Jannuzzi said the business is expecting big crowds during the tournament.
“We’re expecting a lot of people to show up, but we’re going to make it the best place to go watch a game, other than going to the game itself I suppose,” Jannuzzi said.
Extended hours could be mean even bigger business for Mulligan’s and bars across the state.
The six-county region — Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic and Union — is home to 2.6 million residents, six major league teams and four NCAA Division I athletic programs that collectively drew 12.7 million in attendance during our study.
Home base: The region is home to sports business companies including: 16W Marketing; BetMGM; Goldklang Group; Mars Wrigley (U.S. operations); Prudential Financial; Samsung; Skanska; and ZRG Partners.
Over the past three years, MetLife Stadium (which will host eight 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, including the final), and Prudential Center (which added the PWHL Sirens to its busy roster) each reported record revenues, and Sports Illustrated Stadium snagged a new naming-rights deal and will be the official NY/NJ World Cup 26 Jersey Fan Hub.
Recent events and wins for the area include WrestleMania in 2019; the SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa in March; 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball East Regional; and Brazil’s base camp at the Red Bulls’ Columbia Park Training Center.
Previous Rankings
2023: #2 (with New York City)
2024 Event Hosting: #7 (with New York City)
2025 Soccer: #2 (with New York City)
A black bear was spotted in the area of Frederick Court in Princeton on Saturday night, according to an alert issued to residents. A bear was also spotted May 15 in the area of Heather Lane between Cherry Valley Road and Great Road. It is unclear whether the latest sighting is the same bear.
Residents are advised not to approach the bear and to remain indoors if they see it.
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, black bears are common in parts of New Jersey, and they sometimes travel through residential neighborhoods as part of their natural movement patterns.
Residents should not leave food or garbage outdoors because bears can quickly become attracted to human food sources. Bears may eat garbage, pet food, birdseed, and other easily accessible items. Bears that gain access to food in residential neighborhoods may lose their fear of people and repeatedly return to the area. Some nuisance bears eventually must be trapped.
State wildlife officials urged residents in bear-prone areas to take precautions to reduce the chances of attracting bears.
Recommended precautions from the The information was provided by the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife include:
- Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers.
- Store garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Keep garbage in a secure location until the morning of pickup.
- Do not feed bears.
- Do not approach bears.
- Do not run from bears because running may trigger a chase response.
- Avoid direct eye contact with bears.
- Remain calm and slowly back away if encountering a bear.
- Make noise by yelling, clapping, singing, or using an air horn.
- Make yourself appear larger by waving your arms or lifting a jacket overhead.
- Stay together if you are in a group.
- Make sure the bear has an escape route.
Officials also advised residents to watch for warning behaviors from bears, including huffing sounds, jaw popping, and swatting at the ground, which can indicate the animal feels threatened.
Bears may stand on their hind legs to get a better view or detect scents in the air, which is not always considered threatening behavior.
Residents can report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the NJDEP’s 24-hour hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP, or 1-877-927-6337.
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