Leah Thrasher, co-founder and operator of Omaha.Dog (a web-based community with the mission of connecting dog owners with dog-friendly businesses, services and events) has hope that she can make Omaha more dog-friendly. A lot rests on that hope, too. Last fall, she left her career in marketing to pursue that hope, plus some. Her dream is to create a fun and safe space for dogs and humans to coexist and she’s working to make it happen in a way no one before her has: a dog bar.
Omaha Dog Bar, the planned venue that is currently being fund-raised, is “A Watering Hole for dogs and their people,” she says. Her creation will be Nebraska’s first indoor/outdoor off-leash dog park and bar. It will combine a professionally maintained bark park, with a bar and coffeehouse where owners can work or socialize while their pups run, jump and play. It’s a place, she says, “For the community to come together and enjoy a cold drink in the company of great friends, new and old, two-legged and four-legged.”
Thrasher has hosted a series of five “Pup-Ups” recently (all have sold out) from which money raised will fund Omaha Dog Bar’s opening. These events, hosted in temporary spaces, provide her with what she’ll need to lock up a permanent location. In the meantime, she’s already started to bring community together. “Attendees get the chance to learn more about Omaha Dog Bar while showing their support, socializing their pups, and enjoying refreshing beverages,” she says. Merchandise is also available for purchase at the events.
Fret not if you’ve not been to any of the Pup-Ups to date; a Halloween FUNraiser for dogs and their people, hosted by Omaha Dog Bar and Ripley & Rue, is set for this weekend. Guests will have the opportunity to dress pups up in Halloween costumes, do some Trick or Treating, enjoy games, Infusion brews, and more. The event is to take place in the new Makerhood (where Hutchfest was, located just north of TD Ameritrade Park).
Details:
• 21+ over (Must have ID)
• Tickets are PER DOG and are $25
• Humans are free
• Tickets include two drinks and entry for ONE dog (Ex. If there are 2 humans and 1 dog, you only need 1 TICKET. We will have drink tickets for sale for $5 per after your 2 tickets are used up!)
• First 30 ticket purchasers will receive a Barks and Boos Tote Bag full of goodies. Sponsored by Omaha Dog Bar and Ripley and Rue (FYI: We already reached 30 dogs)
• Infusion Brewing Company will be serving the drinks! They will have 3 different brews and a few house cocktails available
• Costume contest with the coolest prizes! Categories are: Scariest, Funniest, Most Creative and Best Group
• A vendor village full of local dog-friendly shops and services will be present
• A local DJ will be mixing up some scary tunes!
• Graffiti artist will be set up doing live Dia de los Muertos/ dog themed graffiti art
• Outdoor/Off-leash bark park will be set up