Maine’s First Indoor Dog Bar is Coming Soon to South Portland

Get ready, South Portland—your dog's social life is about to get as cool as yours.

The Barkery Dog Bar is coming to 180 Waterman Drive in the Millcreek Plaza, and it’s shaping up to be the ultimate hangout for dogs and their humans. Founded by Maine natives (and certified dog people) Nate & Haley, The Barkery will be the first of its kind in the state—an indoor dog park combined with a full-service bar and restaurant. Think less “chaotic backyard meetup” and more “pub food, beer, and tail wags.”

What Is It, Exactly?

I reached out to owner Nate and he filled me on what we can expect.

Picture this: your dog is off-leash, running around and living its best life in a supervised play area while you’re sipping a local craft beer or cocktail and maybe crushing a burger in peace. No mud, no mosquitoes, no “my dog won’t stop eating sticks again.” Just good vibes, indoor heating, and actual chairs.

The Barkery will have three distinct spaces:

• A dog-free bar and restaurant area

• An indoor dog park that includes a leash-required dining section

• And the real MVP: a supervised, off-leash zone where your pup can romp while you relax

Day passes and memberships will be available. It is worth noting that all pups will need up-to-date vaccination records to join the fun.

Why They Did It

Nate and Haley got the idea after visiting a dog bar in South Carolina while Haley was in grad school. From there, they hit up several dog bars across the country before deciding Maine needed one of its own.

Dogs are family—and we know how hard it can be to include them in everyday life. The Barkery is all about creating a fun, safe, and community-focused space for dogs and their people to hang out, relax, and make memories together.

We also hope to support and collaborate with other local dog businesses—partnerships are a big part of our mission. – owner Nate Viens

So, in May 2024, they went all in: sold their house, moved in with family, and started chasing the dream full-time. The Barkery has been a labor of love and they've had massive support from the City of South Portland along the way.

More Than a Bar, It’s a Community

The Barkery is a great place to grab a beer while your dog burns off energy—but it’s also a space built around connection. Nate and Haley want it to be a hub for dog people to meet, socialize, and support one another. They’re also big on partnering with other local pet businesses, so expect some cool collaborations and events down the road.

Their dog Gibbs (a cattle dog/shepherd mix) is the face of the brand, and his partner-in-crime Abby is never far behind—together, they're the unofficial mascots of the whole operation.

As a dog dad myself, I’m really excited for this. Maine’s weather doesn’t always play nice, and it’s about time we had a place where dogs and humans can hang out, rain or shine.

Keep an eye out, The Barkery plans to open late summer 2025. You can learn more and sign up for updates at barkerydogbar.com.