17 Mar The Barking Dog still bites
Do you like tequila and mezcal? If the answer is yes, go to The Barking Dog. If the answer is no, you should probably go there anyway. You might not have tried tequila and mezcal, hence The Barking Dog is a good place to begin the journey.
Located in Nørrebro, Copenhagen, the small bar has built its identity around tequila and mezcal. The back bar is filled with different agave spirits, and the menu offers both signature cocktails and non alcoholic options, making sure there is something for everyone.
- Sankt Hans Gade 19, 2200 Copenhagen
- thebarkingdog.dk
- 15-20 €
About the bar
The Barking Dog is a small bar located in Nørrebro, Copenhagen. As soon as you step inside and look at the back bar, it becomes clear that tequila and mezcal play an important role here. When opening the menu it becomes even more evident.
One of the options is an agave flight. Three 1.5 cl pours designed to introduce guests to agave spirits. Yes, they are small pours, but that is not the point. The idea is to provide guests with a better understanding of not only tequila and mezcal, but also the world of agave spirits.
The appreciation for agave is shared by the bar’s manager, Violeta.
We asked her what came to mind.
It’s your last night out – what would you order?
“Generally, because I started working here, I would go for a mezcal shot. I wouldn’t go for tequila or anything. I would go for mezcal. Because I gained so much knowledge over here that you start respecting the spirit.”
When working at The Barking Dog knowledge about tequila and mezcal isn’t the only focus. Hospitality is key. The staff views the Barking dog as a home and the costumers as guests in their home. According to Violeta, this atmosphere is also what makes people stay longer than planned.
“We have freedom here to literally stay with customers and talk – This is our main goal. […] So it’s also our job just to go and talk to them. Doesn’t matter how busy it is. Everybody understands that. If you need to go and talk, you need to go and talk. We want to make their experience the best.”
Conversations with the customers is also the time where bartending doesn’t feel like work for Violeta. Meeting guests from different places and hearing their stories is one of the things she enjoys most about working behind the bar. It turns a normal shift into something more social. Instead of simply serving drinks, the evening often becomes a series of small conversations across the bar.
Where most bars rely on carefully curated playlists, this is not the case at Barking Dog. You might not notice it at first, but the music is played on vinyl behind the bar. This means there is no skipping between songs or jumping between genres. It is a small detail, but one that quietly contributes to the atmosphere of the place.
Not everyone enjoys tequila, mezcal or cocktails for that matter, and The Barking Dog respects that. The bar has gradually expanded its beer selection to make sure there is something for everyone. The Barking Dog also changed the way drinks are served. Earlier the focus leaned more towards classic cocktail service, where drinks were brought to the table. Today guests order directly at the bar instead.
According to Violeta, this change has helped create a more relaxed atmosphere. It also gives the bartenders more time to interact with the guests standing at the bar. Instead of serving tables, they can spend more time talking and guiding people through the menu.
The agave focus of the bar naturally carries over into the cocktails as well. While guests can explore different tequilas and mezcals through flights, many of the drinks on the menu are also built around those spirits.
The signature cocktails range from their Mama’s Margarita, a variation on the classic Tommy’s Margarita, to the spicy and coconut clarified Diamond Spice. The Diamond Spice is one of the bar’s most popular cocktails, and it also ended up as one of our favorites.
When we tried their signature cocktails it became clear that a lot of care goes into each recipe. From the choice of tequila or mezcal, sometimes even combining both, to the homemade syrups used to match the character of the drink, the cocktails feel carefully curated rather than overly complicated.
The Espresso Martini test
When visiting bars for reviews, we decided that we needed a simple way to compare them. In the culinary world there is the classic Omelette Test. A quick way to see how skilled a chef really is. We wanted something similar for cocktails.
Our solution was each bartender could choose to make one of three drinks:
Paloma,
Dark & Stormy or
Espresso Martini
At Barking Dog we tried both their Espresso Martini and Paloma.
The Turbo Paloma
The Barking Dog has several variations of the Paloma, and we were served their own version called the Turbo Paloma. This is, by far, their most experimental take on the cocktail, as it includes Maté Maté. The ingredient also adds caffeine to the drink, which is where the name comes from. While it might not be the most traditional interpretation of the drink, it reflects the bar’s willingness to play with ingredients and explore different approaches to familiar classics.
The Coffee Cocktail
Their Espresso Martini variation refered to as The Coffee Cocktail was not listed on the menu, but is still something you can order, just like many other classics. The drink does’nt actually contain freshly brewed coffee, as the bar does’nt have a coffee machine behind the counter. Instead, it is built with vodka, brandy and coffee liqueur. While it differs from the modern Espresso Martini, it shows that many classic cocktails can still be ordered even when they are not written on the menu.
Our verdict
The Barking Dog is a cozy bar that clearly excels in tequila and mezcal. Combined with friendly bartenders and a menu of well-made signature cocktails, it creates a place that feels both relaxed and welcoming. Whether you are curious about agave spirits or simply looking for a nice place to enjoy a beer, The Barking Dog is a solid stop in Nørrebro.
One honest downside
If you come expecting a cocktail bar that focuses on every classic cocktail, don’t get your hopes up. The Barking Dog has built its identity around tequila and mezcal, and that focus naturally shapes the menu. For guests who enjoy exploring agave spirits, this is part of the charm.
Carl-Ditlev is a bartender and co-founder of EOW Magazine, dedicated to keeping cocktails simple with quality spirits, fresh juice, and homemade syrups.
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