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Nebraska's first dog bar opens in Omaha where the patrons are puppies

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BREWS. MICHELLE: HERE, NOW, WHEN YOU’RE OUT ENJOYING A COUPLE OF DRINKS WITH YOUR FRIENDS, YOU DON’T HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR BEST FRIEND AT HOME HERE AT BARKS AND BREWS. IT MAY BE THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, BUT AT BARKS AND BREWS, EVERY DAY IS A DOG DAY. >> IF YOU’RE DRINKING WITH YOUR DOG, YOU’RE NOT DRINKING ALONE. MICHELLE: NEBRASKA’S FIRST BAR WHERE THE PATRONS ARE PUPPIES. >> I THINK IT’S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO GET EVERYONE TOGETHER WHO LOVE THEIR DOGS AND LOVE TO DRINK, EVERYONE TO COME IN AND ENJOY THEIR DOGS AND ENJOY ALCOHOL TOGETHER. MICHELLE: DANIELLE AND JESSE NIELSEN OPENED BARKS AND BREWS IN DECEMBER FIRST AS A DOGGY DAYCARE. >> WE OPENED THE DAYCARE, AND WE HAD ALL THIS EXTRA SPACE, AND WE SAID, WHAT SHOULD WE DO? MICHELLE: AND NOW, WITH A LIQUOR LICENSE IN PLACE, THE BAR IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS WELCOMING CANINE CUSTOMERS. >> BASICALLY, A DOG COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME OUT AND HANG OUT AND ENJOY EACH OTHER AND GET TO KNOW OTHER DOG PEOPLE. MICHELLE: THE NIELSEN’S WANT PEOPLE TO PARTY WITH THEIR POOCHES TO A LIMIT. >> JUST MORE OF A GOOD COMMUNITY ATMOSPHERE, NOT PEOPLE GETTING DRUNK WITH THEIR DOGS, THAT’S NOT WHAT WE WANTED. MICHELLE: NIELSEN SAYS SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST DOG BAR IN OMAHA AND THE STATE, IT TOOK SOME UNLEASHING WITH THE CITY TO GET THE CORRECT PERMITS AND CODE REQUIREMENTS. >> TRYING TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS SAFE AS POSSIBLE AND THE DOGS ARE SAFE. MICHELLE: THE PUPPY PARENTS CAN WATCH THEIR PETS PLAY THROUGH A WINDOW OR BRING THEM ON A LEASH INSIDE THE BAR. EITHER WAY, THEY SAY PAWS AND PINTS GO TOGETHER. >> IT’S SUCH AN INGENIOUS IDEA, WHO DOESN’T LOVE THEIR DOG AND WANT TO HANG OUT WITH THEM ALL THE TIME? >> I THINK IT MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR DOG AROUND. MICHELLE: FOR FUTURE PLANS, THE OWNERS HOPE TO EXPAND THEI

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Danielle and Jesse Nielsen said they opened Barks and Brews because it was something they wanted for themselves."This is somewhere I would want to go," Danielle Nielsen said.The couple first opened a doggie daycare near 137th and P streets in December. She said they wanted to expand on the space they had in the building.With the city's approval for a liquor license, they added alcohol and welcome canine customers."It's a dog community where people can come out and hang out and enjoy each other and get to know other dog people," she said.The Nielsens want people to party with their pooches-- to an extent."Just more of a good community atmosphere, not people getting drunk with their dogs, that's not what we wanted," Nielsen said.There is an open play area where humans can mingle with other pet owners and play with their dogs.Customers can also sit in a bar area with their dogs on leashes."I think it's a good opportunity to get everyone together who love their dogs and love to drink," Taylor Holz said.Holz has been using the day care for her Lab, Harley. She loves the idea and is surprised it's the first of its kind in Omaha and Nebraska."Who doesn't love their dog and want to hang out with them all the time?" Holz said.Christina Mumma said she and her dog,Dani will become regulars."If you're drinking with your dog, you're not drinking alone," Mumma said.