TAMPA, Fla. — Pups Pub, a popular dog-friendly bar in Tampa, will permanently close its doors this weekend after losing a legal battle with the Florida Department of Health.
The bar, known for letting patrons bring their dogs inside, had been in a legal fight over whether non-service animals could be allowed in indoor areas where drinks are served. Although Pups Pub initially won a lawsuit in 2023 permitting dogs indoors, the Department of Health appealed the decision—and won. The ruling gave the department the authority to ban non-service animals from establishments serving food or drinks, according to WFLA.
Attorney Gary De Pury, representing Pups Pub, told WFLA that the bar was singled out to set an example. “They picked one entity,” he said, suggesting the case could impact similar businesses across Florida.
Pups Pub operated locations in both Tampa and Orlando and was founded based on the belief that Florida’s food code allowed dogs in such settings. But in 2022, a health official reinterpreted the law, prompting legal action. A court recently ruled that having dogs—even near ice used in drinks—violates state hygiene regulations, WTSP reported. In a statement, the bar criticized the appellate court for ignoring earlier approvals and the sudden change in the health department’s interpretation.
The closure also comes during a difficult time for the business, following the death of co-founder Trevor Tackett in a plane crash earlier this year. A farewell event is planned for Saturday, June 7, from noon to 11 p.m., and is expected to attract many longtime customers and their dogs.
Despite the shutdown, Tackett’s legacy continues. Franchisees inspired by his efforts to help veterans become business owners still plan to open new open-air versions of Pups Pub in Brandon and Clermont. These outdoor models aim to comply with current health rules.