Looking for a city where brewery pit stops are as common as rain clouds? Bellingham has you covered (and then some), with taprooms, beer gardens, and backyard hangouts on nearly every corner. Whether you’re chasing award-winning ales, cider with a bay view, or brunch served alongside your pup, these local spots prove Bellingham really is where the brews—and the good times—overflow. Let’s hop into the best places to raise a glass around town!
Paws For A Beer | Off-Leash Pints & Paws
Forget the notion that breweries exist just for humans. Here you can savor Pacific Northwest bottles while your furry sidekick races off leash indoors and out. It is an oasis built for canine VIPs.
None of the brews are house made, but that only opens the door to an expertly curated lineup of craft beers, ciders, kombucha, and wine. Your dog even receives a plastic-free cup tailored for their snout. No mystery ingredients here.
A laid-back membership unlocks extra perks for pups, but humans always stroll in free. Plush couches flank agility obstacles that transform every afternoon into an epic play session.
Food trucks drift in with tacos or barbecue, while live music and trivia nights create a low-key soundtrack to puppy pandemonium. Trainers host free sessions to polish those best manners, and rescue events help furry wallflowers find forever homes.
Brace yourself though: wearing solid black invites an all-over coat of friendly fur before you know it. Plan your best furry hangout here.
Fairhaven Stones Throw Brewery | Most Sustainable Hangout Spot
This brewery repurposes metal shipping containers into a taproom that feels like an art installation. Sustainability is more than a buzzword here. Even the cups nestle into refrigerated holders, ensuring every pour stays crisp.
Choose any spot on the ground level, head up to the rooftop deck, or nestle into one of the upstairs patios. Fire pits glow against Pacific Northwest drizzle, and every corner welcomes families and leashed dogs.
The beer list blends dependable staples with seasonal surprises. Flat Penny Pale Ale and Two Dolllah Porter anchor the menu, while occasional wild cards like a red Italian brew keep your palate guessing.
Food trucks roll in almost daily, offering tacos, sliders, or wood-fired flatbreads. Trivia nights and live music draw crowds eager for friendly competition. Tiny visitors in raincoats often surprise adults with their refined IPA critiques.
When the evening winds down, retreat to the on-site guesthouse. Wake up to coffee in the beer garden breeze. It’s a weekend getaway wrapped up in your favorite hobby. Get sustainably buzzed and see what’s on tap.
Kulshan Brewing Co – Sunnyland | Bellingham’s Backyard Beer Hangout
At Kulshan Sunnyland, the beer garden feels more like Bellingham’s open-air living room. Golden retrievers roam freely and neighbors gather for fresh pints. Food trucks park outside while live music fills the air.
Heaters line the garden so you can savor a brew even in January. Kids are more than tolerated—they’re cheered on with board games and space to roam. You might stumble upon a giant Connect Four tournament or an impromptu chess match.
The beers truly shine. Award staples like Heliotrope IPA and chuggable Premium Lager share taps with experimental small-batch brews. Every month brings a new concoction to test your taste buds.
Non-beer drinkers can sip local ciders, wines, or zero-proof options, so no one feels left out. Trivia nights and Pour It Forward charity pours deepen the community spirit. Snag a seat in the tasting room, decorated with vintage posters and handcrafted mugs that tell local tales. With familiar faces and scenic vibes, this spot proves to be more than a pit stop between hikes and kayak trips. See what’s pouring and join the neighborhood.
Wander Brewing | Award-Winning Beer Playground
If sitting in a cavernous warehouse sipping a silky Baltic Porter while your dog challenges you to a life-size game of Connect 4 sounds like an everyday dream, you’re in the right place. Wander Brewing occupies a century-old space that feels as sprawling as it does inviting.
Exposed ceilings and metal beams give it an industrial edge without losing warmth. Picnic tables and cozy fire pits along a creek bank beckon you to stay through sun or drizzle. Hop-powered games litter the tables, and Grandma will feel just as welcome as the kids.
The beer lineup reads like a world tour for your taste buds. You might find yourself praising their gold-medal Correspondent Export Stout one moment before flirting with a dessert-like Pineapple Mango Millie the next. There’s something here even the most adventurous palate can’t resist.
A rotating roster of food trucks eliminates meal planning stress. Weekly happenings range from trivia to drag brunches, while Community Tuesdays funnel part of your pint into local nonprofits. If fun were a schedule, this spot would always have an opening. Take a peek at what’s on tap before you “wander” over.
DownTime Taps | DIY Beer Playground
If low-key crowds and endless options are your ideal night out, this self-pour bar will feel like home. Thirty-two rotating taps await your pour under the simple tap of an RFID bracelet. No more bartender waits means you’re in control.
The seating feels cozy, with a heated patio appointed with swings and a fireplace. Dogs wander freely, and no one judges your parade of tiny tasting glasses. It is a safe haven for trivia buffs and introverts alike.
A small menu of pub classics fills basic cravings, but most orders funnel through Coconut Kenny’s next door. Popcorn, nachos, or loaded fries emerge moments after you send your request.
Live bands and music bingo nights add communal buzz. You may conquer every experimental cider, chill out with a wine slushy, or celebrate with Prosecco Pops. Even the sober squad has root beer on tap.
Weighing ounces becomes a delightful hobby as hours slip past unnoticed. This is the perfect spot to linger long after last call, no clock required. Unleash your inner bartender here.
Elizabeth Station | Paradise for Beer Nerds
Staring down a beer wall boasting over a thousand bottled and canned options alongside 20 ever-changing taps feels like a choose-your-own adventure. Indecisive drinkers get their kicks trying new styles, while hop heads relish the rare bottle hunts. Adventurers can spot legendary brews like Heady Topper or hidden British stouts you’ve never heard of.
The staff track down elusive bottles and throw themed events around them, so next Monday’s tasting might spotlight a one-off collaboration or imported gem. Locals lean in to debate which exclusive brew should reign supreme. Chances are you’ll uncover a new favorite on every visit.
Family-friendly doesn’t mean sticky tables and forgotten crayons. Littles can raid a cereal bar while adults sign up for a mug club, tucking personalized steins into vintage post office boxes. Pizza here tastes like someone cared enough to craft it by hand.
Food trucks roll through constantly, and a coffee bar doubles as a pre-game or cool-down station. If cider suits your mood, the dedicated cider room awaits. Outside, heated patios invite dogs and friends alike. See if you can get through the tap list.
Bellingham Cider Company | Best Bay Views & Brunch Vibes
Perched above Bellingham Bay with the San Juan Islands on the horizon, this cider house offers a scenic backdrop for every sip. The sprawling patio balances lively chatter and laid-back lounging. Blueberry Lemonade cider fits any mood, especially when you catch paddleboarders drifting below.
Step indoors to find a menu embracing Pacific Northwest flair. Buttermilk-brined chicken and waffles arrive hot, and grass-fed burgers come crowned with a side of Righteous Views fries. Every bite feels thoughtfully sourced.
Seasonal releases like Cucumber Lime add bright twists to the lineup. Weekend brunch brings a dedicated kids menu, so tiny critics won’t feel left out. When summer rolls in, live music on the patio turns every afternoon into a mini festival.
This spot champions local apples and sustainability without preaching. Community events and orchard partnerships ground the experience in Northwest roots. If you crave something different from the usual taproom, this cider company delivers in both taste and atmosphere. You know you want to see the menu.
McKay’s Taphouse | Ultimate Pizza & Pint Playground
McKay’s Taphouse is where beer geeks and pizza lovers unite. More than 50 taps offer every style imaginable, while wood-fired pies arrive the size of small planets. The rustic, no-frills atmosphere says stick around, although the occasional street rumble does sneak in.
Ordering feels delightfully informal—grab a slice off the turntable or dive into a specialty pizza like Chicken Jalapeno Popper. Wings and the aptly named Tricky Stick magnetically draw you in. Trying to pick just one feels impossible, but the friendly staff patiently guides you.
Happy hour brings discounted pints and curious palates prepare for late-night runs. Bars stay open when most places are closing, so your 1:47 am pizza fix is guaranteed. Even post-curfew, the pies keep rolling.
This spot welcomes families, sports fans, and general chaos alike. Highchairs sit beside flat-screens showing every game you can imagine. Whether you’re dividing a mega pie by spreadsheet or savoring a solo slice, McKay’s delivers comfort by the slice and pint. Check out the beer list (and colossal pizza) here.
Goods Local Brews | Best Backyard Hangout Vibes
Imagine a block party that never ends. Picnic tables stretch under string lights and cornhole boards sit ready for your competitive streak. This is neighborhood charm on tap.
Children dart past with sticky cones as leashed golden retrievers weave between crowds. Seeing muddy paws or spilled juice barely raises an eyebrow here. Everyone pulls up a seat as if it were their own backyard.
The taps spotlight local small-batch brews that rotate often. You might not spot your go-to every visit, but that is half the fun. Friendly staff stand by to guide you toward a crisp lager, a silky saison, or a punchy IPA.
Daily food trucks team up to serve dumplings, tacos, or wood-fired pizza. Seasonal pop-ups showcase plant lovers hawking succulents and fresh produce to green-thumbed regulars.
With live music, fundraisers, and a laid-back crowd, this spot suits families chasing restless toddlers or friends hunting a laid-back happy hour. You leave feeling part of a genuine community. See what’s going on before you bring your whole crew.
Aslan Brewing Company | Sustainability Sippers’ Paradise
Aslan Brewing Company is about as green as a brewery can get. Their beers carry USDA organic certification and they operate as a B Corp. If they turned greener, the EPA might have to investigate.
On tap, Batch 15 IPA pours a hazy, hop-heavy punch that disappears faster than you can say craft. Regulars know the lineup vanishes in minutes, so it’s wise to arrive early.
Berliner Weisse fans flock to Disco Lemonade for a tart, citrusy sip that embodies summer. Small-batch specials rotate in, ensuring there’s always something unexpected waiting.
Bring the kids, your vegan cousin, or that dog in a raincoat to the spacious patio. The menu caters to plant-based diets with more than just a token salad. Friendly staff will steer you toward options that pair perfectly with your pint.
At the Depot location, barrel-aged beers join the lineup and live music sets the tone for a night out. Sip your sustainable brew while local bands strum in the corner. You’ll leave feeling like you savored great beer and saved the planet, at least a little. Check out the menu that made them a staple.
Schweinhaus Biergarten | The Ultimate Sausage Hangout
If you picture an old-school biergarten, Schweinhaus nails it with picnic benches lined up under twinkle lights. Trays of bratwursts await you – from classic links to currywurst that demands a sampling. Pick up a frosty German-style pilsner from the bar and find a spot among the chatter of families, dogs, and oversized chess players.
Heated seating keeps the chill at bay while servers swoop around with near-Oktoberfest efficiency. Pretzel bread looms large and big-screen TVs cater to every sports fanatic. They proudly proclaim the best brat in Whatcom and honestly, the banner isn’t lying.
What ties it all together are regular trivia nights, karaoke sessions, and impromptu live music under the Biergarten sky. A happy hour shift turns midday into prime playtime. Don lederhosen if you dare or just bring your appetite – either way, you’ll leave with a full belly and a story worth retelling. Check out the menu—and save room for a pretzel the size of your face.
Archer Ale House | The Ultimate Cozy Pub Vibe
Archer Ale House feels like stumbling into a cozy cellar pub where creaky chairs and low ceilings whisper history. Nestled in Fairhaven since 1992, it has poured flawless pints long before craft beer was cool. The rotating taps showcase both local brews and global imports.
If bottles are more your style, their library can keep you guessing on pronunciation and delighted by the flavor. Scratch kitchen classics rise above the usual pub fare – think piping hot Shepherd’s pie and irresistible Irish nachos on trivia nights.
The whiskey list is nothing short of astonishing, boasting over a hundred labels that tempt every palate. Meanwhile, dart boards and karaoke setups get as much action as the bar itself, striking the perfect balance between friendly competition and laid-back camaraderie.
Locals hold onto favorite tables, but newcomers find themselves warmly welcomed once a pint is poured. Settle in with mushroom spaetzle or a board game, and prepare to watch hours blur into unforgettable evenings. Scope out happy hour and live music here.
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro | Bellingham’s Pint-Sized Legend
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro sits in a restored 1922 warehouse and feels like both a city landmark and a lively backyard shindig. Its expansive outdoor area invites dogs and cornhole challenges, while the interior embraces families and dedicated beer fans alike. Historic beams and hardwood floors add old-school charm to every visit.
On tap, you’ll find the award-winning Blonde Ale rubbing shoulders with barrel-aged stouts built for winter warmth. If you chase hoppier horizons, IPAs and pale ales are always ready for a friendly debate over bitterness. Each pour reflects Boundary Bay’s decades-long commitment to brewing excellence.
The bistro menu tackles everything from classic fish fry Fridays to comfort plates made for sharing. Community gatherings bring people together, whether it’s an outdoor concert or a trivia night under the stars. Boundary Bay proves that a brewery can be equal parts seasoned institution and ever-evolving block party, all in the heart of downtown Bellingham. Order a pint while you still can.
Gruff Brewing Co. | The Laid-Back Beer Garden Hangout
If you crave a brewery with room to stretch out, Gruff Brewing delivers. The beer garden is decked with Adirondack chairs inviting you, your friends, and even your pup to lounge by the fire pit. Inside, the taproom walls showcase local artists and a hearty sense of hometown pride.
The menu reads like Japanese-inspired pub classics done right: crispy karaage chicken, delicate nori fries, tofu gyoza for plant eaters, and smart gluten-free options. The beer selection encourages experimentation over clinging to that last hazy IPA and there are draft cocktails for hop-averse guests.
Feel free to settle in for lengthy banter – Gruff thrives on game nights, trivia contests, and live DJs setting the soundtrack. Board games are welcome and the atmosphere never gets stuffy or pretentious. Before you know it, you might lose track of both time and your leash-sniffing companion. See what’s brewing—literally and figuratively—here.
