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Outdoors

The Broken Leash is a North Charleston dog park with a bar

The Broken Leash on Old University Boulevard in North Charleston pairs two fenced off-leash yards with a bar pouring craft beer, frosé and frozen wine.

The Broken Leash at dusk, with string lights hung through live oaks over a fenced turf yard, Adirondack chairs and green umbrellas, and people at the covered bar on the left.

Photo: The Broken Leash

The Broken Leash is a dog park and bar at 8811 Old University Boulevard in North Charleston. Dogs run off the leash in two fenced yards while their people sit at the bar or under the oaks with a drink. It opened on December 14, 2024. Hours, directions and the map are on its directory page.

Two dog owners started The Broken Leash

Heidi Ransom and Shannon Lewis founded the park. Shannon Lewis set out to build a place where dogs could play safely while their owners had a craft beer or a glass of wine. Heidi Ransom makes the park's homemade dog food from her own recipes, and the park's shop sells it.

Small dogs play in the Min-Pen and big dogs in the Big-Pen

The park has two off-leash yards. Dogs under 35 pounds are pointed to the Min-Pen, and every dog's first visit starts there; the Big-Pen is for larger dogs. Each yard is entered through a gated vestibule where the leash comes off. The ground is artificial turf, and the covered patio has fans for summer and heaters for winter. String lights run through the live oaks over the yard.

Two tan dogs side by side in the yard at The Broken Leash, one licking the other's face, with a dark wooden bench and green turf behind them.
Two dogs in the yard.Photo: The Broken Leash

The bar pours craft beer, frosé and frozen wine

The taps rotate through craft beers, with seltzers and ciders beside them. Frosé and frozen wine cocktails are poured too, and there are non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails. Snacks are on the menu. Dogs get a dog beer, a pup cup or treats from local small businesses.

A woman with long teal hair at a patio table with a laptop, giving a high five to a black, tan and white dog standing on its hind legs, with the fenced yard behind them.
A high five on the covered patio.Photo: The Broken Leash

A first visit starts with vaccination records uploaded online

The Broken Leash admits guests 21 and over. People get in free, with or without a dog, and a guest without a dog signs a short visitor waiver at the desk. Dogs need current rabies, distemper and bordetella vaccinations, with the records uploaded to the park's online portal before the first visit so staff can check them. Puppies must have finished their full series, dogs over a year old must be spayed or neutered, and each person may bring up to two dogs. Glass, outside food and drinks, and dog toys stay at home.

The first visit is free for one dog and comes with a pup cup. After that, a day pass for one dog costs $10 to $15 depending on the day, and monthly and annual memberships are sold for regulars. Members take $1 off draft beer and wine at Member Happy Hour, 4pm to 7pm Monday to Thursday. No reservation is needed.

The park opens at 4pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, at noon on Wednesday, at 3pm on Friday and at 10am on Saturday and Sunday. It closes at 9pm, and at 10pm on Friday and Saturday.