When it comes to dog-friendly bars in New York, Brooklyn reigns supreme. Hosting pets has become almost second nature in the borough boasting an increasing number of young adult transplants, many of whom are just under the point of parenthood but stable enough to rise to the challenge of taking on another creature’s health and wellbeing. These young, dog-owning adults have one major, unifying factor—they like to drink. Thus, more and more establishments are seeking to meet their needs. Here are some of the better ones (aka, the places where I’ve spotted the cutest dogs):

Luckydog: Hands down the premier spot to drink with your dog, Williamsburg’s Lucky Dog accommodates humans and their “best pals” alike with a large backyard space. A favorite pastime there constitutes watching whose dogs get along best. Everyone comments, and everyone mildly bonds as a result. A shuffleboard inside garners rave reviews but seriously pales in entertainment comparison to the active canines. Most importantly, the Bloody Mary includes pickled ochre. Enough said. (303 Bedford Ave, Williamsburg)

South 4th Bar & Café: This is the ideal place to work quietly with a beer or spend a hungover Saturday morning fighting headaches with a Bloody Mary and three friends playing board games. South 4th Bar & Café also lets in canine companions with open arms. The dog bowl at the door serves as a welcome mat, behind which sit dogs at the feet or on the laps of their owners at the bar. Many are regulars, and everyone will make sure your dog feels comfortable in the new environment. (90 South 4th St., Williamsburg; 718-218-7478)

Oak and Iron: A very relaxed place to wind down after a day away from your dog, Oak and Iron in Greenpoint echoes the convivial but laid back atmosphere you tend to notice in drinking establishments that let you bring your pet. It doesn’t get wild, like the aforementioned Luckydog can with zero warning no matter the day, and the dim lighting makes it a good place to go on, say, a second date. Especially if you and your dating companion live in Greenpoint and have dogs. (147 Franklin St., Greenpoint; 718-349-2252)

The Owl Farm: A comfortable place to go by yourself or with a four-legged friend, this bar would fall under a category often labeled “quirky.” Special events at The Owl Farm frequently honor Hunter S. Thompson (“Gonzo Thursdays”), and there’s always a hearty selection of beer to choose from. On weekends, it seems like the answer to whether the dogs outnumber the beers or vice versa continues to flip flop. (297 9th St., Park Slope; 718-499-4988)

Pine Box Rock Shop: With surroundings that live up to its name and high ceilings to boot, Pine Box Rock Shop hosts open mics, trivia, karaoke, and, in keeping with the overarching theme, other people’s dogs. You can stake out a boxy, wooden bench from which to enjoy your artisan cocktail, always “classic” with that inevitable “Brooklyn” twist. For example, you may watch some kind of poodle-mix sniff at your toe while enjoying a Sam in a Sweater, which is like a root beer float but with vodka, Cointreau, and a brandied cherry mixed in. (12 Grattan St., Bushwick; 718-366-6311)

Bar Great Harry: A sister bar to The Owl Farm, Bar Great Harry boasts pinball as its claim to fame over its furry guests. The bar’s website conveys a sense of humor that’s matched in the actual ambience, which is made even more comfortable and friendly by the presence of canines. These canines are also there to distract lone patrons, who may just come to play pinball and then realize that other people want to play, too. Thus, petting dogs fits in nicely as an intermission. (280 Smith St., Carroll Gardens; 718-222-1103)

Toshi’s Living Room: The one Manhattan bar to make it on this list, Toshi’s Living Room allows dogs in a way that shows exactly why there are more noteworthy dog-friendly bars in Brooklyn. While you can order drinks inside the bar, there are special seats, reserved for canines only, out front. Because sometimes dogs need to step away from their owners for a bit so they can lounge in a dignified manner with other Manhattan-dwelling dogs and catch up on the weekly dog park gossip. Dogs are also permitted on the rooftop where their owners can drink, allowing dog and human socializing to take place side by side. (1141 Broadway; 212-679-8002)

Photo via Toshi's