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However you want to get social this week, your dog is invited.
If you just want a drink and good company, there's a Yappy Hour on the East River on Wednesday and Karaoke in Industry City later that night.
If you want to get creative, there's Dog Crafts in Bryant Park, Paint with Pups on Saturday, and Sip and Paint on Friday.
And if you want to really color outside the lines, there's a comedy show in Williamsburg on Friday where the venue hands you crayons and encourages you to draw the comedians.
If movement is more your thing, there are open runs, kayaking on the harbor, a hike through Van Cortlandt Park, and Pilates in Central Park on Saturday morning.
And if after all of that you just want to sit back and watch a movie with your dog, there are screenings this week on a rooftop, a park lawn, and the waterfront.
Social, creative, active, or easy — this week gives your dog a bigger city life. Pick your lane.
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Wednesday August 5th
Yappy Hour @ Riverpark Terrace, on Wed, 5 Aug, 16:00–19:00
A waterfront happy hour on the East River with live music, specialty cocktails, and complimentary pup cups — fifty percent of cocktail proceeds go directly to SPCA International's rescue programs. Free with RSVP.
Community Cocktail Hour @ Château Le Woof, on Wed, 5 Aug, 18:00–19:30
An informal cocktail hour at the Astoria dog café with Socrates Sculpture Park's Deputy Director about restoring free outdoor cinema to the park — a chance to hear the campaign, ask questions, and get involved. Your dog is welcome throughout.
The Good Dinosaur @ Pier I, on Wed, 5 Aug, 20:30–22:30
A free outdoor screening of The Good Dinosaur on the Riverside Park pier — bring a blanket and a picnic. Dog policy not explicitly confirmed by the organizer; worth checking ahead if you plan to bring yours.
Karaoke Cocktail Club @ Barrow's Intense Tasting Room, on Wed, 5 Aug, 19:00–22:00
Weekly karaoke in Industry City's craft tasting room — seasonal cocktails, a fire pit, and a dog-friendly space confirmed directly by staff. A recurring Wednesday that asks very little of you beyond showing up.
Dog Crafts @ Bryant Park Art Cart, on Wed, 5 Aug, 11:30–13:30
This week's session has AKC Museum educators guiding miniature dog sculptures in Model Magic, inspired by your own pet — all materials provided on the Upper Terrace, no RSVP needed. A midday hour with something tactile to show for it.
Thursday August 6th
Wiener Dog Derby Watch Pawty @ Boris & Horton, on Thu, 6 Aug, 21:00–23:00
The Meadowlands Wiener Dog Derby makes its first-ever live TV debut on ESPN2/ESPN Ocho — Boris & Horton marks the occasion with yappy hour drink specials and off-leash play on the dog side while you cheer on the dachshunds. Free to attend; $5 dog side fee applies.
Married at First Sight Watch Pawty @ Sojourn Social, on Thu, 6 Aug, 21:00–22:00
A weekly reality TV watch party on the UES patio — dogs welcome alongside their owners for the episode. A low-key Thursday night that doesn't need much more than a drink and a strong opinion about the couples.
Trainer-Led Puppy Socialization @ JustFoodForDogs, on Thu, 6 Aug, 18:30–19:30
A free weekly playgroup for new puppies in a sanitized, supervised space — structured enough to actually build social skills, relaxed enough that it doesn't feel like a test. Email RSVP required.
Friday August 7th
Fur-iday Night Flicks: John Wick @ Boris & Horton, on Fri, 7 Aug, 19:00–21:00
Boris & Horton's monthly dog-friendly movie night screens John Wick this month — themed menu, dogs in the room, and a film that finally gives the dog owner perspective its due. Free to attend.
Crayon Box Comedy @ Emblem, on Fri, 7 Aug, 20:00–21:30
A 21+ stand-up show in Williamsburg where the venue hands you crayons and encourages you to draw the comedians while they perform — the vibe, the energy, whatever strikes you. A Friday night that makes you feel like a kid and laugh like an adult.
Furry Fridays @ AKC Museum of the Dog, on Fri, 7 Aug, 11:00–18:00
Leashed, well-socialized dogs get a full day of gallery access — time slots sell out, so reserve in advance. A reliable Friday option for dog owners who want something more than a walk.
Sip & Paint a Pet Portrait @ Barking Dog UES, on Fri, 7 Aug, 17:30–19:30
Michele Cahill pre-sketches your dog's portrait from a photo sent in advance — you arrive, settle in, and paint while your dog does the same beside you. Pre-payment required; email your photo ahead of time.
Saturday August 8th
Pilates and Paws @ Central Park East Garden, on Sat, 8 Aug, 10:30–12:00
An outdoor pilates class for owners and dogs together in Central Park's East Garden at 72nd Street — a Saturday morning that works your core and your dog's social life simultaneously.
Yoga with Pups: Downward Dog @ Bideawee, on Sat, 8 Aug, 11:00–12:00
An outdoor yoga session at Bideawee's Chelsea flagship with free-roaming shelter puppies provided for the class — every ticket purchased supports Bideawee's rescue, medical care, and adoption operations. Note: dogs are provided at the venue; this is not a bring-your-own-dog session.
Dachshunds & Small Dog Meetup @ Bennett Park, on Sat, 8 Aug, 14:00
A casual Washington Heights meetup for dachshunds and small-breed dogs to run and socialize in an open park setting. Low-key, free, and exactly what it says.
Paint with Pups @ Le Doggie Cool, on Sat, 8 Aug, 13:00–15:00
A guided pet-themed painting session at the Williamsburg dog café — your dog settles into the room while you work through a canvas with actual dogs as the subject and the company.
Sunday August 9th
The Sandlot (Wooftop Screening) @ Rooftop Cinema Club, on Sun, 9 Aug, 11:00–13:00
The Rooftop Cinema Club's dog-friendly series screens The Sandlot on the Midtown rooftop — dogs on deck, doors open at 10:30. The kind of Sunday morning that makes your dog's world genuinely bigger.
NYRR Open Run: Conference House Park, on Sun, 9 Aug, 09:00–12:00
A free community 5K run or walk along the coastal trails of Conference House Park on Raritan Bay — leashed dogs welcome at all fitness levels. One of the more scenic NYRR Open Run locations in the city.
Paddle Pups Kayak Tours @ Urban Paddle, on Sun, 9 Aug, 11:00–12:00
A guided hour on New York Harbor with your dog — PFDs provided, dogs up to 90 lbs paddle free, and 10% of proceeds support a local shelter. A Jersey City Sunday morning on the water worth the commute.
Domino Park Greenmarket, on Sun, 9 Aug, 08:00–15:00
A weekly GrowNYC farmers market at the Williamsburg waterfront — produce, flowers, and plants with the East River as backdrop. An early Sunday morning that gives you an excuse to already be outside.
Dog Days of Summer Hike @ Van Cortlandt Park, on Sun, 9 Aug, 11:00–12:00
A guided hour through the wooded trails of Van Cortlandt Park with NYC Urban Park Rangers — urban wildlife, park ecology, and your dog on the trail beside you. A Bronx Sunday that goes somewhere most people haven't.
Monday August 10th
Superman @ Astoria Park, on Mon, 10 Aug, 20:00–22:30
An outdoor screening of Superman on Astoria Park's Great Lawn as part of a neighborhood community series — a blanket, a summer night, and the East River behind you.
Tuesday August 11th
Seaport Cinema: 13 Going On 30 @ Pier 17, on Tue, 11 Aug, 19:30–22:30
A free outdoor screening of 13 Going On 30 on the Heineken Riverdeck at the Seaport — bring blankets and chairs and settle in for the evening with your dog and the waterfront. First-come, first-served.
Café y Chisme: Tuesday Turn-Down Yappy Hour @ Boris & Horton, on Tue, 11 Aug, 18:00–19:00
A new weekly Tuesday yappy hour launching this week — dogs play off-leash while a live pup storytime with author Malcolm Dill runs alongside anonymous "Chisme Box" submissions read aloud to the room. $5 cover with free swag; the kind of recurring night worth getting in on from the start.
Event Deep Dive
A Pilates class in Central Park is a good Saturday. Your dog makes it better.
Pilates & Paws is back for another year, led by Azin Padash — PhD and founder of Lunges & Lattes, a NYC-based movement and wellness community. The format is a 45-minute full-body mat Pilates class on the East Green, followed by time to hang, socialize, and let your dog do what your dog does best. Coffee from Jolene, wellness shots and light bites, treats and fresh food for your pup, and curated gifts for both of you. A dollar is donated to Korean K9 Rescue for every dog and human in attendance.
Dogs are the whole point — but you don't need to bring one to show up.
Social, creative, active, or just a great movie under the stars — your dog has a full week ahead. Get out there and pick one.
And if something's been on your mind about your pup, hit reply and send it in. It might be the next question we take to an expert.
