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Park Slope bar thinks dogs should be allowed inside – Metro US

Park Slope bar thinks dogs should be allowed inside

RetailMeNot
Catharina Thümling

A Park Slope bar that has been dog-friendly for nearly 20 years is fighting a recent violation from the city’s health department.

By Sunday evening, about 260 people had signed a petition started by Park Slope for Pets supporting dogs being allowed at The Gateand other city bars.

The petition is “challenging an outdated law” that classifies “non-food drinking establishments … as ‘food service establishments.’”

​​According to §81.25 of the health department rules, “no live animal shall be kept, housed or permitted to enter into or remain in any food service establishment or non-retail food processing establishment.”

The Gate is located at 321 Fifth Ave., and according to its Facebook page, opened as a craft beer bar in 1997.

District Manager of Community Board 6, Craig Hammerman, sent a letter supporting The Gate’s owner Bobby Gagnon on Oct. 30, and asked the health department to dismiss the citation.

“To the best of my knowledge, The Gate is not a food service establishment. It is a bar. If you are thirsty, they have an ample and impressive selection of libations to choose from. If you are hungry, you are out of luck. They do not make food. They do not prepare food. They do not serve food,” Hammerman wrote.

Hammerman added The Gate has a “well-earned reputation for being a dog-friendly establishment.”