Dog Bars Opening Near Me in 2025 and 2026: Wagbar Expansion Update
Top TLDR: Wagbar dog bars are opening across the U.S. in 2025 and 2026, with active locations in Weaverville NC and Knoxville TN and franchise locations in development in markets including Charlotte, Richmond, Phoenix, Dallas, Los Angeles, and more. Every location features a fenced off-leash play area, licensed bar, and free human entry. Check wagbar.com/our-locations for the current status of the dog bar opening nearest you.
Wagbar, the off-leash dog park and bar concept founded in Asheville, North Carolina, is expanding across the country with franchise locations in development in more than a dozen markets. If you've been searching for a dog bar opening near you, this page tracks where Wagbar is going, who's opening each location, and what to expect when they arrive.
Two locations are already operating: the original flagship in Weaverville, NC, and Wagbar Knoxville in East Tennessee. Every other location on this page is in development. Wagbar does not publish opening dates until they're confirmed, so all in-development locations are noted as such. Check individual location pages for the most current status.
Where Wagbar Is Right Now
Before getting into what's coming, here's the current baseline.
Weaverville, NC is the original Wagbar, open since 2019 just north of Asheville. It's the template every other location is built on: a fully fenced off-leash play area alongside a licensed bar, food trucks, seasonal events, and a community that keeps coming back. It's been voted Best Pet Friendly Bar/Brewery at the Best of WNC Mountain Express awards multiple years and landed on USA Today's 10Best Dog Bars list.
Knoxville, TN is the brand's second operating location at 6729 Malone Creek Drive, at the former Creekside Knox property. Franchisees Liz and Shelby, a mother-daughter team with deep roots in Knoxville's animal rescue community, are building out the full Wagbar experience for East Tennessee. For current hours and updates, check the Wagbar Knoxville page.
Southeast: New Dog Bars in the Carolinas and Georgia
The Southeast is where Wagbar is growing fastest, with multiple markets in development across the region.
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing metros in the Southeast, and Wagbar has confirmed franchisees Brandi and Denise for the market. The city has the density, the pet ownership rate, and the outdoor social culture to support this kind of venue. For updates, follow the Charlotte location page.
South Asheville, NC
A second North Carolina location is in development for South Asheville, extending the brand's home market further into the Buncombe County area. The South Asheville page has current status information.
Cary, NC
The Research Triangle market gets a Wagbar location in Cary, serving the Raleigh-Durham corridor. Cary consistently ranks among the most livable smaller cities in the country and has a professional, pet-forward population that fits the model well. Check the Cary location page for updates.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Franchisees Matt and Taylor, along with their dog Mickey, are bringing Wagbar to The Market Common in Myrtle Beach. The Grand Strand has grown substantially as a year-round residential market, and the beach community culture is a natural fit for an outdoor social venue. Follow the Myrtle Beach location page for updates.
Greenville, SC
Greenville has one of the most active downtown cores in the Southeast and a dog-owner community that punches well above its size. A Wagbar location is in development for this market.
Savannah, GA
Savannah rounds out the Southeast cluster. The city's outdoor bar culture, walkable neighborhood identity, and tourism draw overlap well with the kind of crowd Wagbar attracts. The Savannah location page has current development status.
Mid-Atlantic: Dog Bars Coming to Virginia and Maryland
Richmond, VA
AJ Sanborn is the franchisee bringing Wagbar to the Richmond area. He spent 20 years in financial services before deciding to open a business that aligned with his love of animals rather than another traditional bar. AJ and his fiancée have a dog named Bibi and were expecting a Bernese Mountain Dog when the Richmond franchise was announced.
Richmond has a strong craft beer scene, active dog parks, and the kind of close-knit neighborhood culture that makes a venue like Wagbar become a local institution quickly. The Richmond location page is where to watch for updates.
Frederick, MD
Frederick is in development, targeting a Mid-Atlantic market with strong suburban growth and proximity to multiple major metros including Washington D.C. and Baltimore. The Frederick location page has current information.
Midwest: Cincinnati
Wagbar's first Midwest foothold is in Cincinnati, Ohio. The city has a revitalized urban core and a community identity around local businesses and outdoor spaces. Cincinnati gives Wagbar a market that hasn't seen this concept before, which is exactly the kind of opportunity the franchise model is built for. Follow the Cincinnati location page for updates.
Southwest: Phoenix and Dallas
Phoenix, AZ
Dianna is opening Wagbar Phoenix after years in IT sales combined with a restaurant industry background. She came to Wagbar looking for a business that brought together her experience working with people and her genuine love of dogs. Phoenix has one of the highest dog ownership rates in the Sun Belt, a year-round outdoor lifestyle, and massive market scale. The Phoenix location page has current status.
Dallas, TX
Wagbar Dallas is in development, targeting the DFW metro's outdoor entertainment culture and large suburban dog-owner population. Dallas represents significant scale, and the city's warm climate supports the outdoor format year-round. Follow the Dallas location page for updates.
West Coast: Los Angeles and Long Beach
Los Angeles, CA
Jennifer is opening Wagbar in the Los Angeles area after a long corporate career and a lifelong connection to animals. She grew up in the area and is building something in her own city. L.A. has one of the deepest concentrations of dog owners in the country, a premium lifestyle market, and strong demand for experience-based venues. Check the Los Angeles location page for development news.
Long Beach, CA
A second Southern California location is in development in Long Beach, extending the West Coast presence into a market with its own strong community identity and active pet culture. The Long Beach location page has status updates.
Other Markets: Orlando
Wagbar Orlando is in development, targeting a Florida metro with consistent population growth and strong suburban pet ownership corridors throughout the greater Orlando area.
What to Expect When a Wagbar Opens Near You
Every Wagbar location follows the same core format regardless of which franchise owner is running it. The concept is consistent by design.
When a new dog bar opens near you as a Wagbar franchise, here's what you'll get:
A fully fenced, supervised off-leash play area for dogs of all breeds and sizes
A licensed bar serving beer, wine, cider, hard seltzer, and non-alcoholic options
Rotating local food trucks (outside food for humans is always welcome)
Trained staff monitoring the play area throughout operating hours
A year-round events calendar including live music, breed meetups, seasonal celebrations, and more
Membership options including monthly, annual, and 10-visit punch pass formats
Free human entry for all guests 18 and older, with or without a dog
For the full breakdown of how the off-leash dog bar concept works, including entry requirements, park rules, and what makes this different from a standard dog park, that page covers it in detail.
Dog Entry Requirements at Every Wagbar Location
The entry requirements are consistent across all locations. When a Wagbar opens near you, your dog will need:
Current proof of Rabies, Bordetella, and Distemper vaccinations
A minimum age of 6 months
To be spayed or neutered
All breeds and sizes welcome
Day pass visitors bring documentation every visit. Members verify once on their first visit and skip the check after that. Human entry is always free for guests 18 and older.
For a full look at what to expect at your first visit, the beginner's guide to playing with your dog at Wagbar walks through the experience step by step.
Staying Current on New Openings
The best way to stay current on any specific market is to check the individual location page. Wagbar posts updates there as timelines become confirmed. The locations hub lists every active and in-development location in one place.
If your city isn't on this list and you'd like to see a dog bar open there, the franchising page is where to start. Wagbar evaluates new markets on a rolling basis and the franchise model is actively open to new applicants in markets not yet claimed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out if a Wagbar dog bar is opening near me?
Check wagbar.com/our-locations for the full list of active and in-development locations. Individual location pages are updated as timelines are confirmed.
What markets does Wagbar currently have in development?
As of this update, Wagbar has locations in development in Charlotte NC, South Asheville NC, Cary NC, Myrtle Beach SC, Greenville SC, Savannah GA, Richmond VA, Frederick MD, Cincinnati OH, Phoenix AZ, Dallas TX, Los Angeles CA, Long Beach CA, and Orlando FL, in addition to active locations in Weaverville NC and Knoxville TN.
When is the Wagbar near me opening?
Wagbar does not publish opening dates until they are confirmed. Check the individual location page for your market to get the most current status.
What should I expect at a new Wagbar location?
Every Wagbar opens with the same core format: an off-leash play area, licensed bar, rotating food trucks, and a membership option for dogs. Human entry is always free.
Can I open a Wagbar in my city?
If your market isn't currently listed, franchise opportunities may be available. Visit wagbar.com/franchising to learn more and submit an inquiry.
Does every Wagbar require the same vaccinations?
Yes. All locations require current Rabies, Bordetella, and Distemper vaccinations for dogs. Dogs must also be at least six months old and spayed or neutered.
Bottom TLDR
Wagbar dog bars are expanding nationwide with more than a dozen franchise locations in development across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southwest, and West Coast. Active locations are operating now in Weaverville NC and Knoxville TN. To find out if a Wagbar is opening near you, visit wagbar.com/our-locations for current status, or go to wagbar.com/franchising to bring the concept to your city.