McNally’s Irish Pub in Oakland has been pouring drinks since 1973, and it’s one of the few bars in the area where you can actually bring your dog inside with you. That alone makes it worth knowing about if you’re traveling with your dog and want to grab a beer without leaving them tied up outside.

The beer selection is solid — they’ve got a good tap list and a serious collection of Irish whiskeys if that’s your thing. You can order classic cocktails too, so whether you’re in the mood for a Guinness or something more creative, they’ve got options. The space itself feels like an actual neighborhood bar, the kind of place where regulars have their spots and the bartenders know what they’re pouring.

What makes McNally’s different from most dog-friendly establishments is that it’s genuinely set up for this. Your dog can hang out with you inside the pub while you’re having your drink, which means you’re not juggling logistics or feeling rushed. They’re also cool with you bringing your own food, so you could grab something from a nearby restaurant and have a full meal and drinks without any hassle. That flexibility is rare and genuinely useful.

It’s the kind of spot that works whether you’re a local stopping in after work with your dog or someone passing through Oakland looking for a casual, no-fuss place to spend an evening. The East Bay has plenty of outdoor patios where dogs are welcome, but indoor dog-friendly bars are harder to find. McNally’s fills that gap and does it without any of the hype or pretension — just a straightforward Irish pub that happens to welcome dogs as part of the deal.