Neighbors Dog Park & Cafe — Restaurant in Austin

I wanted to love this place but there were a few things that just gave me bad vibes so we won't be back.

We arrived one day right when they opened. There was what seemed to be a single staff member working who told us that the barista hadn't arrived yet, so we waited to check-in. I could see 3 or 4 other people outside with dogs who I assumed were members so they were already back there as regulars. When the barista arrived (about 10 after), she seemed confused about the process to check us into the dog park with just a daily pass - we wanted to try it out before buying a full membership. She eventually had us sign in on the sheet and let us in.

My dog is about 15 pounds, socialized, and very friendly. Most of his dog friends are large golden retrievers, labs, or great pyrenees, so I'm not typically concerned when introducing him to a new dog park. He was immediately rushed by about 4 dogs there and it was a little chaotic - my dog was definitely afraid since there was excessive deep barking & humping. Since he is small, I was having trouble moving him away from the others dogs (he was already off leash since we did that in the transition area). One owner did come over and start pulling one of the large dogs off of him and told me that this particular pup (not hers) was there for daycare. She proceeded to grab her dog as well. The other two dogs finally went back to their owners who were sitting down and I took my pup to the other side of the park to decompress and relax before reintroducing him and he was eventually fine and played with most of the dogs.

What really rubbed me the wrong way was that there was clearly not an attendant watching whichever dogs were "daycare" dogs. The same dog who was the clear aggressor initially when we arrived continued to follow my dog around and attempt to mount him multiple times. Someone eventually took him inside the cafe (I assumed the regulars just knew which dogs were daycare ones and would help out?)

I did not get a great first impression generally and just wanted to...

I dog sit for a friend and bring his dog from time to time. The staff has told us multiple times that they have noted the account about not wearing a collar because she has a collapsed trachea and the vet says it’s dangerous to wear one. This visit the woman at the counter was saying they no longer loan out collars and it’s now a hard line to wear one. I expressed frustration about the back and forth of the rules and how they change each time I’m there. Supposedly the account is noted and other days the policy is one way or another.. As a customer would this not make you frustrated? Neighbors claims their priority is the dogs safety but does not include this dog with a medical condition. The woman was extremely offended when I told her I experience the rules changing each time and I said yes let me try to explain why… as I was explaining she interrupted me. I informed her I was not done speaking and she was interrupting… like a 5 year old she said I had interrupted her first (after she had asked me a question) I disagreed calmly and objectively. This is how conversations work… She looked like a feral dog about to leap over the counter at me. She was going to get the owner because she clearly unable to maintain any composure. I was accused of being rude and told I my account was banned. Standing up for my negative experience (while being told I was wrong recounting the facts and being interrupted) at an establishment is not rude on its own… gaslighting me and pretending there is no issue other than my problem with the back and forth is rude. You don’t like or agree with the fact that I’ve had a negative experience does not make me inherently wrong or rude.. I do not have an account, I’m a pet sitter. I just left because it wasn’t worth it to me I hardly go there. This is the quality of which they serve their customers and take care of their dogs safety. I would never speak to a customer in that manner nor would I, as a business owner, ever hire anyone who would treat or speak to my customers the way that...

First time and last time I'll be going to Neighbors. It had been on my list for a long time to visit after seeing posts on Instagram. However, after today's visit and interactions, I will stick to Yard Bar any day! 2 stars for the can of Dr. Pepper I purchased!

I came in with my dog around 6:15 - 7:00PM. Upon entering the building, the lady at check-in was cold, unfriendly, and rude. If you're new, make sure you pull up your dog's records in the parking lot before you walk through the front door because your first 30 seconds will not be friendly. Coming from a guest services background, my interaction with this lady was extremely off-putting. I would have left and not paid the entrance fee if I had not been with a friend and his dog.

Anyway... knowing that this was our first time at Neighbors, the lady did not explain any rules to me, just pointed me in the direction of the gates to enter. We walked in and I unclipped my dog (from his harness and leash). He began exploring and sniffing other dogs. Towards the end of our visit, my dog found a companion he wanted to hump. He managed to hump this dog and by the 2nd time, I was already shooing him off of her. I got ahold of him and directed him to our table to harness him/"time out" all while also nodding to my friend that I was ready leave because 1) the mosquitos were horrible and 2) best to leave if my dog would not leave the other dog alone - we've reached our limit and it was dinner time for both of us. Not even 5 seconds, the yard employee rushes over to me as I'm standing with my leash in my hand.. tells me, "no harness! You need to clip your dog by the gate!" I said, "I understand, I am literally leaving..."

I walked out the gate, and won't return...