The Ugly Dog Public House was founded June 9, 2010 by Kay and Thomas Craig. It was the height of the recession and they were looking for a new business. The town passed liquor-by-the-drink in 2008 and no one had opened a bar or pub. Kay started to convince her husband that they should open a pub, and it took a while to sway him.  “I really felt like Highlands needed a pub” said Kay. “A place where you could meet your friends after work, celebrate a birthday, or just make new friends. I wanted a casual atmosphere where our guests could relax and spend time together enriching our sense of community that is Highlands.” After getting a lot of advise from many friends in the restaurant industry they opened with just 800 square feet and a tiny kitchen. Kay says they have grown a lot over the last ten years, but their core value of making our community stronger is still at the heart of The Ugly Dog Pub.

We feel it is important to support many community organizations. The Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society, The Community Food Bank, The Rotary Club of Highlands, Highlands School, Blueridge School, The Highlands Chamber of Commerce, and Highlands Food and Wine.