OkcPets Magazine March 2023

26 OKC Pets • March / April 2023 Bar K Launches Site in OKC by Heide Brandes Photos courtesy of Bar K I n Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District, Bar K — a new bar, restaurant, coffeehouse, dog park, and dog-friendly establishment — rings with the cheery barks of hounds scampering in more than two acres of outdoor play space while their humans laugh over tall pints of beer or vodka tonics. Inside, a restaurant hums with the energy of a popular eatery, but dogs playing outside can still be seen. On the expansive patio, canines enjoy chef-created treats while their owners wolf down burgers. Along the Oklahoma River — the flow- ing artery of the city, transformed from a seven-mile stretch of the North Canadian River — rowers and kayakers float by, and the whole scene is a small snapshot of heaven for dog lovers. Bar K is the city’s newest dog-friendly es- tablishment that is more than just a dog park or a bar that allows dogs. It’s a playground for humans and their furry friends, offering food, cocktails, plenty of play space, live music, and special events. “We like to say that the dogs have moved from the backyard to the bedroom. Nine- ty-five percent of dog owners see their dogs as family members,” said Bar K cofounder Dave Hensley. “Dogs are now full-fledged family members, and we celebrate that special bond that we have with dogs. Why would you want to head out to a bar, restau- rant, or coffee shop and leave one of your family members sitting in a crate at home?” Hensley added, “Bar K is a destination and an experience — we call it the Bar K experience.” Bar K, which opened in February, is indeed an experience for dogs and their families, with the two-acre outdoor dog park, a 10,000-square-foot indoor dog park, four bar areas, and multiple pri- vate event spaces. Ultimately, the whole concept of the place is to “reinvent the dog-park experience by combining a fully staffed park with a bar, restaurant, event space, and entertainment venue to create a unique and joyful destination for people and dogs ,” said Hensley. Fun for Canines and People Bar K was founded in 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri, when Hensley and his partner, PLAY STAY, SIT, Patio dining with your canine companion is available at Bar K in Oklahoma City.