Post Falls' Paws N Brews combines doggie day care with self-serve bar

POST FALLS — Paws N Brews is a place “where tails wag and glasses clink.” The new Post Falls business combines doggy day care, dog boarding and a self-serve bar for human and furry patrons alike. 

Owners Amanda and Adam Smelser opened the venue on Seltice Way this spring. Amanda works at Kootenai Health and Adam runs a sprinkler business.

After about two decades of dreaming about opening a doggy day  care and bar, Amanda decided to go for it.  

“I think it’s a pretty cool idea. Who doesn’t love dogs and beer?” she said. 

The dogs are the establishment's focus during the day, with 31 kennels, an outdoor play space with sprinklers and an indoor play area for when the weather turns too hot.  

For humans, there is a self-service bar.   

Amanda Smelser said she had never seen one in Idaho but thought it would be perfect for Paws N Brews. 

Staff check IDs for bar patrons at the door, and then customers open a tab using a wristband.  

The bar prioritizes local offerings such as drinks from Post Falls Brewery and High Country Cider.

Amanda Smelser's goal is to offer dog owners a place where they can unwind while their pets either stay alongside them or enjoy the play area.  

“I just want it to be a fun environment where you can actually bring your dogs so you don’t have to leave them at home,” she said. 

    Small groups of dogs play at Paws N Brews.
  

Nathan Drechsel walks up and down a training ramp with dogs at Paws N Brews. Drechsel is the dog lead at the new doggie day care/boarding/bar venue.

    Paws N Brews has a self-serve bar. After staff scan your ID, customers use a wristband to get drinks.