Blue Dog Beer Tavern

"Blue Dog Tavern, one of our favorite Valley bars, is a low-key neighborhood spot that's essentially under the 405 in Sherman Oaks. We’ve never seen the patio without dogs (a huge selling point, to be honest), so you won't feel out of place if you bring yours. There’s plenty of space and lots of water bowls." - brant cox

"If you live in Sherman Oaks or a neighborhood surrounding Sherman Oaks, Blue Dog is your Cheers and there’s a solid chance you’re there right now. Blue Dog is special because it feels like you stepped into a towny bar in the middle of Indiana, when in reality it’s a burger and beer spot one block off the 405 Freeway. The servers will talk to you like you’re a regular, the table next to you will ask for your life story, and all the burgers are worth traveling over the hill to eat. Just don’t leave without ordering a side salad—the salad itself is whatever, but their house-made bleu cheese dressing might be the best on Earth." - brant cox

"One of our favorite places to drink in The Valley, Blue Dog has a great patio, good food, and excellent service. The TVs are all in the main bar area for prime game watching, but there’s plenty of outdoor space to clear your head when your team self-destructs in the fourth quarter again. They’re also extremely dog-friendly here." - kat hong, james montgomery

"Blue Dog is a block from the 405 in Sherman Oaks, but it feels more like a hometown bar somewhere in rural Maine. There are old beer taps and Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling, framed photos of regulars’ dogs, and TVs in every direction. The Valley mainstay has a serious beer list that features several high ABV triple ales, so get whatever looks good to go with one of the burgers. Our favorite of the bunch is the “Blue Dog” with bacon with mushrooms and onions—but really, anything with their homemade root beer BBQ sauce deserves your attention. Outside, there’s a big, shaded front patio with even more TVs and exciting dog watching." - brant cox, sylvio martins

"Blue Dog is a craft beer drinker’s paradise. The place is wrapped with tap handles and exposed wood, and it serves the kind of salty, savory pub fare that goes perfectly with a pint or two. Oh, and there are plenty of televisions on as well." - Farley Elliott, Matthew Kang