As much as I adore my Winnie, one thing I really miss about my pup-less existence is the freedom to do whatever I want after work. When it’s time to sign off from my workday, I want to do one of two things: socialize or be lazy. The latter doesn’t lend itself well to a 17-month old puppy, but the former, now that I can work with.

Enter Norm’s Eatery and Ale House in Fremont, my favorite dog-friendly Seattle establishment.

In the few short weeks I’ve had Winnie, I’ve been to Norm’s at least five times. The atmosphere is chill, the servers and bartenders are friendly, the food is good and they serve beer. What more can you ask for from a happy hour destination? That it invites you to bring your dog along. Now that’s icing on an already delicious cake. (Or, in Norm’s case, it’s extra gorgonzola and mushrooms on an already delicious burger. Highly recommend that menu option.)

Aside from Norm’s, most Seattle bars and restaurants with patios welcome well-behaved dogs. A few tips for the comfort of you, the rest of your party, as well as the diners around you:

• Bring treats to reward a good dog or to distract one on the verge of misbehaving.
• Before sitting down, ask tables near you if they’re comfortable with your dog being on the patio. Most Seattle-ites are a pretty easy-going, but be respectful of people who may have allergies or who are fearful of dogs.
• Nobody likes a barker. If you have one, leave him or her at home for happy hour.
• Only bring socialized dogs.
• Don’t let your dog lick your plate or silverware when you’re done. Ew.

What are some other dog-friendly happy hour destinations folks like to frequent?