What Every Dog-Loving Floridian Needs to Know—and What You Can Do About It
🗓️ Posted: June 2025 | Category: Community Spotlight, Dog-Friendly Bars
❌ The End of the Pup Pub Era (for now)
Tampa’s popular Pup’s Pub is closing its doors—and no, not because of financial hardship, bad reviews, or lack of support. It’s being forced to shut down by state regulators who’ve reinterpreted a decades-old health code… and it’s creating shockwaves across Florida’s entire dog-bar scene, including right here in St. Pete.
If you love grabbing a drink with your pup at places like Mutts & Martinis, The Dog Bar, or the (formerly open) Pup’s Pub Tampa, this affects you.
🧪 The Real Story: Outdated Codes Meet Modern Vibes
In 2022, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) began quietly cracking down on venues that allowed dogs indoors—even if no food was being prepared, and even when customers fully consented to the concept of dog-friendly bars.
This change came down from Tallahassee, directed during so-called “consistency calls” that trained county inspectors to treat any indoor space with dogs and drinks as non-compliant.
🧑💼 Who’s Behind the Push?
📍 Robin Eychaner
Title: Operations Administrator, Environmental Health HQ
Email: robin.eychaner@flhealth.gov
Phone: (850) 901-6490
Robin appears to be the lead force behind the stricter interpretation of the FDA Food Code. Public records and court documents point to her role leading the 2022 “consistency calls,” which retrained health departments statewide and labeled dog bars like Pup’s Pub as non-compliant—even if they had no kitchen.
📍 Gina Vallone-Hood
Environmental Administrator, Bureau of Environmental Health
📍 Sarah Young Hodges
Chief Appellate Counsel, DOH — successfully argued the ruling that solidified the crackdown.
📜 The Rule Being Used to Shut It Down
Florida Statute §509.233: Allows cities to permit dogs in “outdoor areas not enclosed on more than two sides.”
If your dog bar has 3 walls—even with open-air garage doors or screens—it’s legally “indoors” under this rule.
FDA Food Code §6-501.115: Bans live animals in food or drink establishments unless they are service animals or the venue qualifies as an outdoor area.
The problem? Dog bars aren’t restaurants, and the existing rules don’t properly account for the unique model these venues represent.
🐶 Why It Matters to St. Pete (and All of Florida)
- 🐾 Mutts & Martinis and The Dog Bar could be next unless exemptions are granted or the code is rewritten.
- 💼 Dog bars generate jobs, tax revenue, and bring the community together.
- 🌴 Florida should be a national leader in pet-friendly innovation — not a cautionary tale of bureaucratic inflexibility.
📣 What You Can Do Right Now
1. Call or Email the Department of Health
📧 robin.eychaner@flhealth.gov
📞 (850) 901-6490
Be polite, but firm. Ask for:
- A reconsideration of the dog-bar classification
- Support for modern, safe hybrid businesses
- Clarity on how venues can become compliant
2. Share This Blog Post
Use the hashtags:
#SaveDogBars #LetDogsPlay #StPeteDogLife #PupsNotPolitics
3. Support Local Dog Bars Like Mutts & Martinis
Your dollars make a difference. These venues are built for you, and your voice can help protect them.
🗣️ Final Thoughts from SPSB
This is not a drill. A beloved part of our city’s dog-loving, community-driven culture is under threat. But together, we have a voice.
Let’s use it.
👉 StPeteSportsBars.com is watching this story closely. Subscribe for updates, and share your thoughts with us anytime.
