Our Team

Proprietors

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Heather Gleason & Dave Garry

When Heather Gleason opened Good Dog Bar back in 2003, after a five year stint in executive recruiting and several years in the restaurant business, she was just 28 years old, and doing everything from running the business to bartending at her new place. She needed a bartender, and she had one in mind—Dave Garry, bartender extraordinaire at The Standard Tap in Northern Liberties. Not only did Dave agree to join Heather at Good Dog, the two tied the knot in Vegas just a few short months later. Almost twenty years later, the two are proprietors of Good Dog Bar in Philadelphia and Atlantic City. And they still like each other.

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Greta, one of their dogs

Greta is a four-year-old lab/hound mix who, like her brother, loves snacks. While she’s willing to eat just about everything—from biscuits and bones to sweet potatoes and peanut butter—Greta’s very favorite snack is bananas. When she isn’t snacking, Greta loves to fetch, especially in the ocean. This girl is mad for water. Dog parents: Heather & Dave.

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Tito, their other dog

Tito is a three-year-old pitbull/hound mix whose favorite space is the couch—any couch, inside or out—and his activity of choice is snuggling on said couch. In between snuggling sessions, Tito is super into snacking—it’s his second favorite pastime. Tito loves jerky, carrots, tomatoes, yogurt and watermelon, but his absolute favorite snack is a juicy pineapple. Dog parents: Heather & Dave.

AC MGT Staff

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James Jaye

General Manager

As the very first employee and General Manager of Good Dog Bar Atlantic City, James puts all of his restaurant — and contracting — experience to good use. Whether he’s pitching in on the construction of a new booth, planning schedules, or hiring a new sous chef, James is involved in all areas of Good Dog Bar Atlantic City. Born and raised in Ireland, James came to the U.S. in 2012 with no plans to stay. Instead, he met his wife, had a baby, and fell in love with Atlantic City, especially its proximity to the ocean. When he’s not hanging with his family and dog, Chaz, he’s golfing, playing soccer, or at Good Dog, where he’s particularly fond of the poke bowl and the GDB beer selection, especially the Kane Head High IPA from Kane Brewing Company.

Chaz, James’s dog

Chaz, a Vizsla (and probably lab, and possibly pitbull) rescue, was adopted from Absecon in 2019 and is James’ first dog here in the states, though he grew up with them in Ireland. Chaz loves people. He loves people, especially James, and his wife, and their daughter (though sometimes she scares him a little) and absolutely detests the vacuum cleaner and leaf blower. Like all good dogs, he’s never met a meal he didn’t like, but he especially loves his weekly rawhide.

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Greg Akroyd

Manager

A Hammonton resident, Greg spent the last four years bartending and managing at Rock Bottom Whiskey Bar, a great gig, and not one he would have walked away from without a pretty good reason. When he saw the post for Good Dog Bar, however, something resonated. Whether it was the Good Dog Bar mac & cheese, the brand-new cocktail menu that includes a delicious Espresso Martini, the fun venue, or the dog photos on the walls — he loves dogs — Greg went with his gut and joined Good Dog Bar as a manager. When he’s not at Good Dog, Greg’s hiking the woods of Batsto with his own good dog, Miles, or working on projects around his house.

Miles, Greg’s dog
At almost 50 pounds, Milo is not a lap dog. Unfortunately for laps everywhere, Milo doesn’t seem to realize that. Tall, lean, and goofy in the best possible way, eight-year-old Milo, a Pointer mix, isn’t one for boundaries — human or canine. A standoffish dog is no match for Milo’s persistent friendliness, nor is a potential burglar — Miles is way too friendly, and way too afraid of thunder and lightning, to be anything other than a loveable ball of energy. When he’s not at Greg’s side, or enjoying some ham and cheese scraps, he’s at home chilling to his favorite YouTube station, which is full of fun songs for dogs.