Dog-Friendly Ice Cream Shops in Denver

My dog stares at me longingly when I eat ice cream, so we went on a quest to find the best ice cream shops near our house. Here are the ice cream stores we discovered.

Bonnie Brae Ice Cream

The shop closest to our house is also one of Denver’s first dog-friendly ice cream shops. They’ve been offering ice cream sandwiches for dogs for over 25 years, so they were way ahead of the curve regarding special treats for dogs!

The owners have four dogs between them: Ziggy, Ozzie, Zooey, and Moose. We did the photoshoot right before they opened to avoid disturbing customers. The whole family had fun seeing the different reactions to the treats. Some dogs ate them in one swift gulp, while others daintily licked them.

Funniest dog treat incident: A Bonnie Brae employee once spotted someone eating the dog ice cream sandwich! They were too polite to ask why or how it tasted. We’ll never know whether it was a dare or some other crazy reason why he was eating dog biscuits!

Everyone chuckled at my calisthenics while I tried to get a good angle. I was trying to frame the iconic neon sign and the dogs. It was hard because dogs are short, the neon sign is on top of the building, and the busy street makes it impossible to back up. It’s not the easiest photo location, but the shop is a landmark in my neighborhood, and I did my best to capture it.

Dog Treat Details: Ice cream sandwich made of two Milkbones with vanilla ice cream in the middle; $1
If your dog tolerates dairy, you could also buy a kiddie cone.

Patio Details: There are many shaded tables with umbrellas outside for you and your dog. It is on a busy street, so you’ll need to tightly grip your dog’s leash. If you want to walk off some calories and enjoy the neighborhood, head straight west from the shop, and you’ll end up at Washington Park.

Location: 799 S University Blvd, Denver, CO 80209

Inside Scoop Creamery

The store owner’s dog, Blue the NAID (Native American Indian Dog), was a very enthusiastic taste tester of the shop’s Pup Cups! Blue is sort of the mascot of the downtown shop so you may spot him alongside the very friendly owner of Inside Scoop. This is the sort of small business that makes downtown Denver vibrant and unique!

Dog Treat Details: Pup Cups with a dollop of vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream; Free

Patio Details: The downtown location has a few nice benches outside. If you want to enjoy the downtown scene along the river, head south a few blocks to Confluence Park to enjoy your ice cream.

Locations:
Downtown Denver: 1535 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202 (two blocks north of the downtown REI)
Downtown Littleton: 5654 S Prince St, Littleton, CO 80120

Nuggs Ice Cream

We tend to stick to ice cream shops that we can walk to, but while driving down Colfax, we spotted Nuggs, so, of course, we had to try it. The owner has two golden retrievers, Bruce and Dexter. We had a mini photoshoot where they got to eat whipped cream for breakfast. Best day ever!

The sweet Goldens inhaled the whipped cream so fast. I’d love to go back and photograph a triple – or quadruple – scoop of ice cream in front of the mural. Or, even better, a dog hanging its head out the window of the Nuggs ice cream truck!

Dog Treat Details: Whipped cream in a cup; Free
You could also purchase a small vanilla ice cream cone.

Patio Details: There is a patio with many high-top tables and benches. The dog-friendly dining area is fenced, which is a nice touch since Colfax is a busy street. The overhead party lights make it festive in the evening!

Location: 5135 E Colfax Ave, Denver
Nugg’s is located in East Denver in the heart of Park Hill. If you’re looking for a treat on your way home from City Park, the Zoo, or the science museum, it’s not far.

Sweet Cow

I’ve seen this shop many times, but I can’t believe I didn’t try it until recently. When we walked by in the past, we were always too full from Park Burger, which is next door. Boy, was I missing out! Now, I skip the burger and go straight for the ice cream.

I did a photoshoot with Ivan, the Black Russian Terrier, at Sweet Cow. I expected him to swallow the whole cone with one bite, but he gently licked it. What a good boy!

Ivan belongs to the Platte Park store manager. He and his wife were extremely helpful in posing Ivan for our photoshoot. All the small businesses I visited have the nicest employees! Ivan also had the best “home haircut” I’ve ever seen. They have some serious dog grooming skills!

Dog Treat Details: Cake cone topped with whipped cream, Free with purchase of (people) ice cream

Patio Details: The Platte Park Sweet Cow location has limited seating, but the quiet street is perfect for strolling with your dog while eating your cone.

Locations:
Denver Platt Park: 1882 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
Other Sweet Cow locations in Denver Highlands, Stanley Marketplace, Boulder, Louisville, and Longmont

Sweet Action

Dog Treat Details: Peanut Butter and Banana pup cup

Locations:
Wash Park – 1061 S. Gaylord St., Denver, CO 80209
South Broadway – 52 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Uptown – 530 E. 19th Ave., Denver, CO 80203
Jefferson Park – 2851 W. 25th Ave., Denver, CO 80211

Etiquette for bringing dogs to ice cream shops

Dogs are welcome on outdoor patios, but due to health code laws, they aren’t allowed inside retail food establishments unless they are service animals. Not long ago, dogs weren’t even allowed on patios. In 2014, Denver was the first town in Colorado to have dog-friendly patios. Be thankful that Denver is dog-friendly, and don’t try to skirt the law. I’m sure the employees would rather scoop your ice cream with a smile instead of having to reprimand you for bringing your dog inside. They don’t make the rules, and they love dogs too. It’s also considerate to tip them well for giving your pup a treat!

Be a Canine Good Citizen

Lastly, remember that other customers may not appreciate dogs, so keep them on a short leash and under control. If you think this sounds unnecessary, you haven’t seen my golden retriever in action, trying to steal a lick of a toddler’s ice cream! Murphy is an opportunist, as are most treat-motivated dogs.

The next time you walk your pup, don’t forget these dog-friendly ice cream shops where you can cool off and enjoy a treat.

About Karen Hoglund Photography