Owner of Yard Bar
By Lauren Jones, Photo by Caitlin Candelari
Kristen Heaney is the owner of Yard Bar, a membership-based dog park and bar in North Austin. In 2009, Heaney adopted her first dog, Murray, and enjoyed spending time at Auditorium Shores with other friends and their dogs. But as a young professional, she was constantly juggling her work schedule and making time to socialize her dog. One day, the solution came to her, and in 2015, Heaney opened Yard Bar. The dog park is fenced in and monitored by “bark rangers” who keeps pets safe and the park clean. While dogs enjoy the 20,000 square feet of off-leash play space, their owners can enjoy a craft cocktail, local draft or soft drink. The dining patio offers burgers, salads and, of course, hush puppies. Yard Bar just celebrated its second birthday, and Heaney is beginning to work on plans for other locations.