Welcome Waggin' in the Bay

Beach to Bayou - May 2019

There are many Fido-friendly establishments in Bay St. Louis - and we've compiled a comprehensive list for our furry friends.

- story by Denise Jacobs
​

Pop Brothers, 111 Main Street, even makes popsicles for pups!

---

While nearly 57 percent of all U.S. households own pets, we’re apparently even more animal crazy in Mississippi, where more than 65 percent of homes include pets.
 
Today’s pet owners spend a lot of money on their furry friends and want their pets to share in their healthy lifestyles. For many of us, that healthy lifestyle includes vacation breaks and time-out together. 

​In Bay St. Louis, locals and visitors alike often bring along with their canine companions when strolling through our historic district and swimming or snoozing on the beach.
​

Beach to Bayou
is sponsored by

Click here and scroll down to read archived Beach to Bayou columns!

 While Mississippi coast is not known for its dog-friendly beaches, the beaches of Bay St. Louis and Waveland are an exception to the rule. Enjoy your romp in the water. Then, when surf time is over and Rover has shaken the salt from his coat, simply snap a leash on your canine companion and enjoy a walk along our sandy beaches, where dogs are welcome, day or night.
 
When you’ve exhausted the surf and sand, and your ice bucket is empty, head into town for some refreshment, and bring Fido along.
 

The front porch of the Mockingbird Café is a popular pooch hangout

Lucy at the French Potager on Main

 
At the Mockingbird Café, a favorite watering hole at 110 Second Street, guests can enjoy Coast Roast coffee specialties, extraordinary biscuits, the award-winning Mockingburger, or hearty pub fare — all on the shady outdoor wrap-around porch and patio. Dogs are also welcome in the outdoor stage area, home of the Atticus Finch Night Market, nestled between the Mockingbird Café and Smith & Lens.
 

Social Chair, on the corner of Main and Second, keeps dog treats behind the counter.

The back patio at the Parrot Head Bar & Grill (inside Bodega at 111 Court Street), where beloved chef Rickey Peters serves up Cajun favorites, is another favorite hangout you can share with your pooch.  Pop Brothers (111 Main Street), the go-to place for gourmet popsicles, even makes pops for pups.

The Buttercup on Second Street (112 North Second Street), the popular local breakfast/lunch eatery, welcomes dogs on the porch and patio, and your server is always happy to bring a bowl of fresh water for Fido. At 200 North Beach, patrons can enjoy food, drinks, and a beach view while dining with their dog on the deck.
 

Sycamore House patio

The motto of the historic Sycamore House Restaurant (210 Main Street) is “Come casual, we supply the elegance.” “Casual” includes your dog at this fine dining establishment if you sit on their oak-shaded patio in back, where you can order up gourmet pizza.
 
Lulu’s on Main (126 Main Street) is a breakfast and lunch spot with a large screened-in side porch that welcomes dogs; The Ugly Pirate (144 DeMontluzin Avenue) and The Blind Tiger (119 North Beach) are also dog-friendly, with outdoor seating and, at The Blind Tiger, a lovely marina view.
 

Liz Maio and Bella on the beach

When in doubt about a shop’s openness to dogs, it is best to poke your head inside and ask if it’s alright to bring your dog inside. In my experience as a dog owner here in the Bay, most shops try to accommodate.
 
In fact, while shopping for antiques, art, home decor, apparel, or gifts, beachcombers and landlubbers alike will most likely be pleasantly surprised by the welcome their four-legged friends receive.
 
Gallery 220 (220 Main Street), keeps a full bowl of fresh water on hand for the pooches. If you’re lucky, Egypt, the shop dog at California Drawstrings (216 Main Street), may greet you at the door. In December, California Drawstrings offers photos with Santa and your dog as a benefit for the Hancock County Animal Shelter.

​Just across the street, The French Potager (213 Main Street) welcomes pups, while at Social Chair (201 Main Street), doggie treats are kept behind the counter and shared with canine customers.  Magnolia Antiques (200 Main Street) is dog-friendly, with two local dogs and their owner dropping in each day to visit, making their daily Old Town rounds. 

Nikki Moon, owner of the pet-friendly Bay Town Inn, with her two pooches.

---

A birddog at the 'Bird

Thirsty pups can always count on a bowl of fresh water at The Shops at Century Hall, 112 South Second Street. Janice Guido, shopkeeper at Bay Life Gifts, is one of several pet-loving proprietors within Century Hall with two shelter cats at home. JoAnn Saucier, The Porch, also at Century Hall, owns four shelter puppies.
 
“We love our pets at Century Hall,” she says.
  
Bay Town Inn (208 North Beach Blvd.) comes highly recommended as a dog-friendly place to stay. The realtors at H. L. Raymond Properties, 529 Ulman Avenue, let dogs weigh-in on the properties considered by prospective buyers (owner/broker Holly Lemoine Raymond is known for her work on behalf of the Hancock Animal Shelter).
​

Pop Brothers, 111 Main Street, is a favorite stop for dogs

 
Bay Hide Away RV Park and Campground, 8360 Lakeshore Road, recently installed a fenced-in dog park for its campers.
 
Not everyone appreciates the dog-friendly trend. With that in mind, I include this Chicago Tribune article for the rules it provides for shopping with Fido. Good behavior can be a dog-lover’s best defense.
 
One of the best pieces of advice I ever found on the topic of dogs in traditionally human spaces — source long forgotten — is to always remind our pets to keep their voices down while talking on cell phones.

---

Social Chair is even goat friendly!

---

Pet-friendly Establishments in Bay St. Louis

Dining / Restaurants
 
200 North Beach
200 North Beach Blvd.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-9388
www.200northbeach.com
 
Blind Tiger, The
119 North Beach Blvd.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 216-2600
www.theblindtigerbsl.com
 
Buttercup on Second Street, The
112 N. Second St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 466-4930
www.baystlouisoldtown.com/the-buttercup-on-second-street.html
 
Mockingbird Café
110 Second St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-8383
www.mockingbirdcafe.com
 
Lulu’s on Main
126 Main St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 463-1670
www.facebook.com/Lulus-on-Main-885393741503859
 
Parrot Head Bar & Grill
111 Court St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 363-1290
www.bodegabsl.com/pages/the-parrot-head-bar
 
Pop Brothers
111 Main St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 304-0024
www.popbrothers.com
 
Sycamore House Restaurant
210 Main St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 469-0107
www.thesycamorehouse.com
 
Ugly Pirate, The
144 DeMontluzin Ave.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-2682
www.facebook.com/The-Ugly-Pirate-161356640621877
 
Lodging / Real Estate
 
Bay Hide Away RV Park and Campground
8360 Lakeshore Rd.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 466-0959
www.bayhideaway.net
 
Bay Town Inn
208 North Beach Blvd.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(504) 421-0960
www.baytowninn.com
 
H. L. Raymond Properties
529 Ulman Ave.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 466-6643
www.hlraymondproperties.com
 
Shopping / Retail
 
California Drawstrings
216 Main St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 463-2124
www.californiadrawstrings.com
 
French Potager, The
213 Main St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 364-3091
www.thefrenchpotager.com
 
Gallery 220
220 Main St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 466-6347
www.baystlouisoldtown.com/gallery-220.html
 
Magnolia Antiques
200 Main St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 467-8170
www.baystlouisoldtown.com/magnolia-antiques.html
 
Shops at Century Hall, The
112 South Second St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(504) 810-7772
www.facebook.com/TheShopsofCenturyHall
 
Social Chair
201 Main St.
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(228) 466-5853
www.baystlouisoldtown.com/social-chair.html