The Bear Trap Taproom and Kitchen sits right on Lakeview Drive in Big Bear Lake, and it’s one of those places where you can actually bring your dog and not feel like you’re imposing on anyone. The outdoor patio has umbrella shade, which matters when you’re up in the mountains and the sun gets intense, and your dog can settle in right next to your table while you work through their rotating selection of California craft beers.

The beer list isn’t just local stuff either — they’ve got domestic and international options in bottles, cans, and on tap, so whether you’re into IPAs or lagers or something totally different, you’ll find something. The kitchen turns out hearty mountain food that actually makes sense with a cold beer: smash burgers that hold up to the altitude, pizzas, fried appetizers, and garlic bread that’s the kind of thing you want after spending the morning on a trail nearby.

The atmosphere is genuinely casual. Nobody’s going to give you a hard time about your dog being there, and the whole place has that relaxed mountain-town feeling where people are just happy to sit outside and eat. It’s the kind of spot where families mix with hikers mix with people who just wanted an excuse to grab a beer on a weekend afternoon.

They’re open Thursday through Sunday, with slightly shorter hours midweek — 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM Thursday and Sunday, extending to 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday. It’s close enough to the Village area and most Big Bear vacation rentals that you won’t waste time hunting for it. On a warm day between trail runs, this hits the right note.