Off Leash Social - Eat. Drink. Pet Dogs — Restaurant in Johnson City

I'd heard of this place, and following a hard day's work I took my buddy Dan to check it out. Upon reaching the double gate to gain entry I was asked of Dan's name, and informed that he needed to register to be part of the club. An authoritative guy, whom I believe to be the owner, approached us in the holding area, and asked for Dan's health records. Immediately, I felt great scrutiny from the proprietor. I was dirty from the day laboring over the IPE deck I am constructing. But the girl working the gate said I could look the documents up on my phone. No problem, Dan has traveled to over thirty countries on four continents, including the notoriously difficult England. He was fixed and vaccinated from day one upon rescuing him from the Washington County Animal Shelter, and with our frequent travels to and from Europe has continued to update his shots as could be proven in his EU pet passport. As I searched my email for files sent to airlines with the information they requested. The owner asked that I search for the documents outside of the fenced in area. He was treating Dan and I like second class citizens. The George Carlin line, "It's a club, and you're not in it" passed through my mind, as a drone was set into flight behind me, sending Dan into high gear running round the perimeter of the park as I scoured my email. Just as I located the documents the owner returned and forcefully told me to put Dan on a leash. Isn't this place called Off Leash Social? I didn't have a leash, but explained to fellow that I had found the documents he'd requested, and handed him my phone with said documents displayed. However, he refused to look at them and insisted that I leash Dan. I pleaded for the fellow to review the documents he had previously asked for, telling him Dan is a little famous. It was becoming clear that he had no intention of allowing Dandy, the world's best moto mutt, and I to enter the establishment. Then he finally said as much. Telling us, we weren't getting in. Upon telling him I would leave a scathing review, he offered a belittling reply, of, "Who, you and your famous dog? That was about the time I gave him the bird, whistled for Dan and told him in no uncertain terms what I thought of him, his discriminatory policies, and his BS club. If you want a beer, the Atlantic Ale House is nicer, and Dan and I have always been welcome there. If you need to exercise your pup, Buffalo Mountain is nearby, beautiful, and free. If you'd like to see some of Dan's adventures, Google Moto Mutt International. He's the real deal, unlike the gent running the ironically named Off...

Love the concept and it’s a great, well maintained space; however, I was very disappointed recently after I registered our dog to come for our first visit. I completed the online registration, provided vaccination records, but wasn’t told until we had our dog at the gate that he wasn’t allowed in the park due to being marked as a “pit mix” breed on the form. Our dog is a boxer-pit mixed with other breeds and is the gentlest dog we’ve ever owned. I understand there may be business insurance restrictions involved, but I was frustrated that we weren’t notified of the exclusion until his paws were literally at the gate, and it felt discriminatory. If this policy is to remain in place, I suggest clearer postings of the pit bull policy, as well as an automatic notification after the registration is submitted if the dog will not be accepted. Hopefully that will prevent others from taking their dogs to the park only to be turned away unexpectedly at the last minute.

*Update: I received a communication from the owner further explaining their policy and acknowledging the circumstances. I do realize we visited the park the same day as the online registration was completed, however I did not feel the website clearly emphasized the pit bull breed restriction, and as far as I understood same day visits were allowed as long as staff confirmed vaccination and approved the visit upon arrival. The owner shared that they have since added a check box on the website registration page for the customer to acknowledge the park staff have the right to turn away dogs deemed to be of pit bull breeding (at their discretion). This will hopefully help others avoid being in the same situation. Although I still feel it was unfair and disappointing that our dog (who is only part pit and is mixed with multiple other breeds) was turned away, I appreciate the steps the owner took to respond personally and make a change to the website. I have amended my rating to 3 stars due to the follow up...

This place is absolutely awesome, a true gem! I perform in a band and have played here twice, with one of the performances being a benefit show to help raise money for victims of the flood that took place a few weeks ago; this business's kindness and generosity really shined through during the fundraiser, and it showed me just how much character and integrity they hold in their hearts for the local community, and the dogs within it as well.

Paul and his wife have gone above and beyond to make this spot an absolute haven for both dogs and their owners. It's really nice to have a place where one can get great food, drinks, and entertainment, all while meeting other visitors and letting your dog safely run around. It's a really nice spot for my dog given that we don't have a fenced-in backyard at home (and that she's an "only-child" dog), so there's always plenty of opportunities for her to meet other dogs and run around to her heart's content. It makes me so happy seeing all the pups.

If you're in the area, please please come check this spot out (even if you don't have a dog) for a drink, bite to eat, or to watch a game (lots of televisions set up at the bar). Hands-down one of my new favorite spots in Johnson City, and that's coming from a lifelong native.

Thanks for all that...