The Bear Trap Taproom & Kitchen sits right on Lakeview Drive with a patio that catches the lake breeze—it’s generous enough that you won’t feel crowded even on busy weekend afternoons, and the covered sections keep things comfortable when the mountain air turns cool. Their beer selection is substantial (they rotate local and regional craft brews), and the kitchen turns out solid gastropub fare: burgers, sandwiches, and the kind of shareable plates that work well when you’re splitting attention between your dog and your plate.

Dogs are welcome on the patio, which is where the action happens anyway. Staff will bring water bowls without asking, and they’ve got some dog treats on hand, though nothing fancy—just solid bar snacks for your dog while you work through a flight. Dogs need to stay outside; they can’t come into the indoor dining area or the bar proper. The patio has enough shade from overhead structures and surrounding trees that even midday visits feel manageable, though early morning or late afternoon is more comfortable during summer.

Big Bear Lake sits at 6,700 feet elevation, so even July and August feel genuinely cool once the sun starts dropping. The taproom is about a quarter-mile from the lake’s edge—you could walk down to the water before or after if your dog’s got energy to burn. Their kitchen stays open through dinner (check their website for exact hours, as they close earlier in winter months), and the patio is generally livelier from late afternoon into evening. Parking is right there on Lakeview Drive, though it fills up on summer weekends. If you’re coming from the valley, plan for a 90-minute drive from San Bernardino.