Leisurehound Athletic Club opened Sept. 18 on a half-acre lot at 2801 Drayton St. in Columbia’s North Main District. The venue describes itself as the city’s first off-leash dog park and beer garden, with a fenced play yard, dog pool and bar; human admission is free, while dogs need a pass or membership.
Owners Jordan and Adam Bergeson moved to Columbia in 2021 after living in Atlanta, according to the Post and Courier. They began looking for a property at the end of 2024, settled on the Drayton Street site at the end of 2025 and prepared it for opening through spring and summer 2026. The club’s website describes the half-acre venue as a community hub about two miles north of downtown Columbia.
The Bergesons named the club after their oldest dog, Billie, an Airedale, the Post and Courier reports. Its fenced yard gives dogs space to play off leash, alongside a dog pool called Lake Furray, picnic and high-top tables, and a large screen for sports. That screen is currently a rented television; the couple plan to replace it with a larger permanent screen or projector, according to the report.
Free for Humans, Passes Required for Dogs
Dogs—not people—pay for access to Leisurehound’s play area. The Post and Courier reports that day passes cost $15 per dog, monthly memberships are $45 with $20 for each additional dog, and 10-visit passes and annual memberships are also available. People may visit without bringing a dog.
Before entering, dogs must have an account on file with liability information, proof of vaccination, behavior history and, if older than eight months, proof of spaying or neutering, according to the Post and Courier. Jordan Bergeson told the outlet that collecting those records helps protect dogs and people. The report also compared the requirements with those at Dapper Dog Bark & Brew Bar in Greenville: Dapper Dog’s website describes vaccination and check-in requirements for its dog-park area, but identifies its Bark Bar as permanently closed.
How nearby park rules compare
The City of Columbia’s Finlay Park FAQ says dogs must be leashed there and owners must pick up and dispose of waste, so it is not an off-leash alternative. In nearby West Columbia, the city describes Bark West as a members-only unleashed park with separate areas for small and large dogs. That differs from Leisurehound’s paid dog day passes and memberships, described above.
Beer, Food Trucks and a Grand Opening on the Way
The bar serves soft drinks, beer, wine and non-alcoholic options. Food trucks are planned for a separate dining area, and the club has hosted solo artists near the bar, the Post and Courier reports. The Bergesons hope to build a stage for live music. A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for Oct. 16, followed by the Barktoberfest grand opening celebration on Oct. 17.
Eyes on the Adjacent 19 Acres
The club is beside 19 acres of city-owned land that the North Main Vista Greenway plans to expand onto; the project is in the request-for-proposal process, according to the Post and Courier. Adam Bergeson said he is discussing possible temporary uses with the city, and the couple would like to see adult intramural sports there. The report compares the area’s potential with the Atlanta BeltLine, a 22-mile project connecting 45 in-town Atlanta neighborhoods.
The Bergesons hope Leisurehound can serve as a neighborhood gathering place while North Main develops, and say they want to see the area grow in ways similar to Bull Street and Main Street. Adam Bergeson told the Post and Courier that Columbia lacked dog-friendly opportunities like those the couple experienced in Atlanta.
