Just moved to NoDa this week and decided to try out The Dog Bar. Parked in the parking lot for the dog bar and bar next door. The entire parking lot was a mess and people were parked behind cars not in spots. I parked next to a dozen other cars (of note, there were no marked "spots") all of which were facing the train tracks and not blocking anyone. There were no international towing signs.
We went in and instantly smelled the dog urine stuck in the plastic astroturf (terrible idea for an area exposed to rain and dog urine). It was fine overall.
When we left, my car was no longer there... we looked around in the parking lot and finally found an obscure sign with words that said you must be a dog bar or blind pig bar customer... which we were so we were still confused. There was still no international towing sign/symbol. We called the towing company and they said our car was "too close to the track" which is ironic because there was no sign saying anything about being towed or about the train tracks and the distance you needed to be. We went into the bar and told the bartender, she said "oh no! Yeah you can't see any spots they just come in and tow everyone, that sucks". The cars that were illegally parked behind people and not in "spots" were not towed because I recognized the same cars backed up behind one another not in spots.) I am very frustrated with The Dog Bars response as well, if they often tow people for being too close to the tracks there should absolutely be a sign a few areas has a cement block but much of the area where people were parking did not. We were not closer than other cars to the track. Again, there would need to be an international tow sign.
Needless to say, even though we relocated to NoDa we will be driving the extra 15 minutes to Lucky Dog Bark & Brew, where they have clearly marked parking spots and they don't tow. On top of that the facility is amazing and doesn't have old soiled AstroTurf. I highly recommend skipping this place for not only the parking inconvenience since they tow for unclear reason but also the place is a dump.
Also the tow fee was $200, ridiculous. I'll never return and will make sure to warn people about this place. Not worth it.