Sarasota dog bar announces open date

If you heard a collective howl on Friday, it was probably because Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar finally has an opening date set for later this month. 

Contrary to the song “Who let the dogs out?” Boo’s will let the dogs in May 22. Not every dog will be invited in, though; just those who are up-to-date on their vaccinations.  

The dog bar, which was named after the owners’ rescue dog, Boo, is on 10th Street in the Rosemary District, just north of downtown Sarasota, in a building that used to play the role of an ice house that was used to store ice and facilitate deliveries. 

Boo’s is essentially a dog park for people to sit and to have a drink and some food while watching their dog play. The 5,000-square-foot space, with gated outdoor and indoor areas for dogs to play, has a full-service restaurant that features gourmet burgers and pizzas, prepared by chef Dave Grammer. Boo’s bar is fully stocked, according to a press release, with beers, wines and signature cocktails. 

"We are thrilled to bring Boo’s Ice House to the vibrant community of Sarasota," co-founder Mindy Kaufman says in the release. "Our goal is to create a haven where dogs and their owners can bond, make new friends, and have an absolute blast together. We can't wait to open our doors and welcome everyone into our dog-loving family."

Eventually, Boo’s will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, but will have limited hours to start. 

The dog bar/restaurant hybrid has gone through its share of challenges, including pushing its open date back at least three times. In December 2022, the owners, Kaufman and her husband, Bobby Boivin, were still waiting on their certificate of occupancy. Hurdles like supply chain issues, labor shortages and Hurricane Ian kept them from opening earlier. The couple closed on the property for $1.35 million in early 2020.