Party On, Dog

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Welcome to yappy hour.

It's a time for dogs to let their fur down, crunch some Tropic Dog Truffles and do some serious sniffing. But, you know, it's a public place. No dancing on the tables and acting like wild animals. And don't treat the table legs like fire hydrants, Fido.

You'll need to have your leash in tow and be accompanied by a person who can eat and drink with one-hand while holding on to you with the other.

Apparently, plenty of dogs are willing to comply. Yappy hour gatherings of dogs and owners have been growing increasingly popular in the last two or three years at venues throughout the Bay area. The concept is European, says Anna Cooke, editor of The New Barker, a Dunedin publication focusing on Florida dogs. She says traveling Americans picked up the idea and brought it home.

Oui, oui, Fifi.

"Anybody who loves their dogs feels a tinge of guilt about leaving them," says Kristi Lam, who hosts a yappy hour at her Clearwater Wine Co. "This allows people to socialize with their dogs and show off their beautiful dogs. You can go to a dog park to do that, but not with a glass of wine in your hand!"

Cooke adds, "Dogs learn to socialize with other dogs at these events. I got a dog stroller to take my cockapoos and my miniature pinscher."

Some places offer special doggie beer, such as Trouper's Tail Something Ale, pet store vendors with booths, wine sampling (some dogs partake), pet-and-person photography and even - Yikes! - an ornery cat.

"Our happy hour moves right into yappy hour," Lam says. "Bring your dogs in for a night on the town."

Follow the trail to a yappy hour near you.

Gaspar's Grotto

Address: 1805 E. Seventh Ave. in Ybor City

When: Pets on the Patio is from 2 to 7 p.m. on the first Saturdays of the month. Dogs also are welcome during business hours, 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sundays.

Attila the Great Dane places two enormous paws on the counter and rises to join his owner, Alex Bliss, at the outdoor bar. Both stand on two legs, but only one of them has a beer. They look eye-to-eye over a cold one.

Bliss and his wife, Amy, and their other Dane, Sooze, came over from St. Petersburg.

"Where else can I drink and bring my best friend?" he says, rubbing Attila's head.

Mike Earl of Tampa brings Australian shepherds Murphy and Rue, who pause to lap water from bowls near the entrance and to cool off in the kiddy pool before enthusiastically tugging Earl toward the action. They've spotted the statuesque pair at the bar, the two with the goofy grins.

"They want to meet the Great Danes," Earl says, allowing his mop tops to pull him toward Attila and Sooze.

Rasta, an American pit bull puppy, snoozes behind the bar, looking a bit hung over, while Leroy, a vizsla-pit bull mix up for adoption, paws at Tanker Ray, the bar cat.

The cat gets up and struts around the patio like he owns it. Which he sort of does. His people are Shere and Eric Schiller, proprietors of Gaspar's Grotto.

"Tanker is not intimidated by dogs at all," Eric says. "He thinks he weighs 450 pounds."

Shere adds, "You can bring your cats or skunks. But mostly bring your dogs."

Taste Safety Harbor Cafe

Address: 500 Main St., Suite E, Safety Harbor

When: Yappy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays.

"It's a dog-lover town, and we have a really nice patio perfect for yappy hour," co-owner Michelle Hirschberg says. "We get six to 12 dogs every Saturday, and they've been well-behaved.

"The little dogs go after the big dogs some. But then the big dogs lay down on 'em and look like they're saying, 'Shut up!'"

Hirschberg's miniature pinscher, Soldier, in leather jacket and chains, greets his girlfriend, a pinscher named Kitty, and their love child, Angel. The three yip and yap, chasing each other's tails.

Others view yappy hour as a more sophisticated affair. Max the Yorkshire terrier sports a black velvet tuxedo and red bow tie, and Cookie, another Yorkie, wears a red-sequined cocktail dress. Elizabeth Johnston, their person, is a local seamstress who has created their high-fashion wardrobe.

"They don't get to dress up often," she says with a sigh.

She takes a homemade dog biscuit from the bowl on the table, offering Max and Cookie the hors d'oeuvre. Hirschberg makes them from whole wheat, bacon bits, beef bouillon, eggs and olive oil. Her husband and eatery co-owner, Robin, takes one.

He takes a bite.

"Pretty tasty."

Clearwater Wine Co.

Address: 483 Mandalay Ave., No. 113, Clearwater

When: Yappy hour is from 7:30 to 11 p.m. on the last Saturdays of the month (May 31).

The dogs get water and treats from Island Dog Outfitters while their people taste wines from Chateau La Paws in a monthly benefit to support dog charities.

"It's intriguing to see how well-behaved the dogs are," Lam says. "You see a golden retriever who is the life of the party next to a little purse dog. A Shih Tzu and a German shepherd are at the next table with an Alaskan husky.

"We have a very diverse yappy hour."

MacDinton's Irish Pub & Restaurant

Address: 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa

When: Pets About Town is from 4 to 6 p.m. on the first Sundays of the month. Dogs are also welcome during business hours, 11:30 to 3 a.m. daily.

"We get a load of dogs," manager Joanne O'Connor says, "and they all eat cake and biscuits and drink beer."

La Maison Gourmet

Address: 471 Main St., Dunedin

When: Dogs are welcome during business hours, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 5 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays (until 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays) and 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

The rules: Dogs must be on leashes, owners are responsible for "accidents," and there's no feeding dogs from tables.

O'Keefe's Irish Tavern

Address: 219 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater

When: Dogs are welcome during business hours, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

The tavern always has water bowls for dogs and recently posted, "We Welcome Fido on Deck for Lunch." Assistant manager Regina McMahon points out that being dog-friendly is especially beneficial to "older folks who have dogs as companions."

Wine Exchange

Address: 609 Snow Ave., Tampa

When: Dogs are welcome during business hours, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays).

Silver water bowls are provided on the patio.

Combo Events

(Pet stores partnering with nearby eateries.)

Dapper Doggie at J.F. Kicks Bar & Grille

Address: 3345 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Valrico

When: Yappy hour is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the last Thursdays of the month (May 29).

The event draws 20 to 60 dogs and supplies all-natural gourmet dog treats while encouraging dogs to come dressed to kill.

"My shi-poo, Lexi, is the fashionista of the crowd," says Dapper Doggie owner Melanie Gambrell of her Shih Tzu-poodle mix.

Happy Paws & Tails at Mojitos Grill

Address: 6108 Winthrop Town Centre Ave., Riverview

When: Yappy hour is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on last Wednesdays of the month.

Dog beer (Trouper's Tail Something Ale) and dog flan served in street party atmosphere known to attract 200 people and 50 pooches. Trouper's is made of water, malt, glucosamine and beef stock.