Sometimes parents need a night out, but they can’t find a babysitter on short notice. In these cases, they can take their children out to a brewery that’s kid-friendly. Kids will enjoy being in a new atmosphere and parents will be able to wind down after a long day.
For more family fun, check out these kid-friendly fall festivals and Oktoberfest events that are parent approved.
This article was recently updated on March 7, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts. The update included her research and fact-checking expertise to provide the latest information on Chicagoland nature centers, aligning with Chicago Parent’s mission to provide the top parenting resources for local families. Questions? Please reach out to nikki@chicagoparent.com.
Kid-friendly Breweries in Chicago
Alarmist Brewing & Taproom
Enjoy music along with your beer, wine and cocktails at this taproom. It is kid-friendly and dog-friendly. Their flagship beer lineup is Le Jus NEIPA, Pantsless Pale Ale and Crispy BoyPilsner.
Burning Bush Brewery
- Address: 4014 N. Rockwell St., Chicago
Enjoy a beer or other beverage in the spacious taproom or on their sun-filled patio. It’s dog and family-friendly, too. Along with beer and wine, they offer snacks like cheese flight with crackers, craft beer pretzels, beef jerky, breadsticks and more. They even offer homemade dog treats for your pup. Keep an eye out for events at the Burning Bush and their pours can be found at neighborhood festivals.
ERIS Brewing and Cider House
- Address: 4240 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago
Come out to order in-house or do a takeout or delivery at this brewery and cider house. They have a weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and offers a full menu every other day. Their kids’ lunch/dinner menu has mac and cheese, buttered pasta, mini burger, grilled cheese and petite vegan wings made of cauliflower.
Half Acre Beer Co
- Address: 2050 W. Balmoral Ave., Chicago
They offer year-round, seasonal, monthly and barrel brews for you to choose from. Kids are welcome in the taproom and beer garden when they are accompanied by a 21-plus adult. The outdoor beer garden is dog-friendly, too.
Horse Thief Hollow
- Address: 10426 S. Western Ave., Chicago
This South Side brewery offers a selection of handcrafted beers every day, including at least one seasonal brew. If you would like to sample what’s on tap, try a beer flight. For kids, they have pulled pork sliders, mac and cheese, mini flat bread pizza and more.
Midwest Coast Brewing Company
- Address: 2137 W. Walnut St., Chicago
The brewery is located in West Town and is considered a family-friendly and dog-friendly place. You may bring your own food along with you here or choose from the snacks they have. They offer pop-up events, too.
Off Color Brewery Taproom The Mousetrap
- Address: 1460 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago
This brewery allows children under 18 before 6 p.m. Only well-behaved dogs will be allowed outside on the patio as long as they’re leashed. They offer 16 brews on draft plus cans and bottle options, a featured cider, wine and liquor. Seating is first come, first served. Outside food is welcome because they do not serve food at this location. Credit card only.
Old Irving Brewing Co.
- Address: 4419 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago
Check out this craft brewery in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood. Their specials rotate for burger of the week, wing of the week and mac of the month. They have kids snacks like fruit and crispy garlic fries and kids’ meals such as buttered noodles, mac and cheese, cheeseburgers and crispy chicken tenders. All seating is walk-in only on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Perch Kitchen and Tap
- Address: 1932 W. Division St., Chicago
This brewery has craft beer and cocktails and American eats. Perch offers brunch on the weekends only. The kids brunch includes cheesy eggs, pancake, fruit and yogurt, grilled cheese and peanut butter and jelly. Kids eat free every day from 4-6 p.m. and their meal includes a main course, side, drink and dessert.
Sheffield’s Wine & Beer Garden
- Address: 3258 N. Sheffield, Chicago
Enjoy their many beers, wines and cocktails. They have different beers on tap in their front bar and their outside bar. They offer plenty of food for you to choose from including flatbreads, BBQ platters, sandwiches, all-day breakfast and much more. Children under 18 are allowed here until 7 p.m. and must be accompanied by an adult.
Family-friendly Breweries in North Suburbs
Church Street Brewing Company
- Address: 1480 Industrial Drive Unit C, Itasca
This locally-owned brewery hosts weekly live music, food trucks and free event space and has over 30 taps. It’s kid-friendly and dog-friendly place and has a taproom and summer patio.
Elmhurst Brewing Company
- Address: 171 N. Addison Ave., Elmhurst
This family friendly brewery offers a fun atmosphere and a great kids’ menu for little ones. They offer lots of events throughout the year, so make sure to check their Facebook or website. They serve brunch, lunch and dinner.
Emerson’s Ale House
- Address: 113 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect
This American-style pub is great for families. Their kids’ menu offers hand breaded chicken strips, mini cheese quesadillas, sliders and more. They offer 32 different draft beers with a wide variety of local brews. Their burgers have been named, “Best Burgers in Town” and they have plenty of other great options like fish tacos, buffalo-style mac and cheese, Carolina pulled pork sandwiches and much more.
Emmett’s Brewing Company
- Locations: 110 N. Brockway St., Palatine and 128 W. Main St., West Dundee
This brewery’s locations are family-friendly and have a lot of food options to choose from. Their kids’ menu offers pasta, pizza, burgers, fried fish and more. They have vegetarian and gluten free menus to make choosing something easier.
Fibs Brewing
- Address: 260 Howard Ave., Des Plaines
This boutique brewery has 12 beers on tap that you can enjoy in their taproom or outdoor beer garden and patio. Kids and friendly doggies are welcome.
MORE Brewing Company
- Locations: 121 W Railroad Ave, Bartlett, 13980 Automall Drive, Huntley and 126 S. Villa Ave., Villa Park
This family-friendly brewery is great they have a huge selection of beer on draft, including guest selections. No outdoor seating is available at Villa Park location so they do not allow dogs. The Huntley location does have an outdoor patio so they do allow dogs there. Their kids’ meal contains grilled cheese, chicken tenders, mac and cheese and a cheeseburger.
Riverlands Brewing Company
- Address: 1860 Dean St. Unit A, St. Charles
This is a family-friendly brew spot. All children must be seated or in a stroller and supervised by an adult at all times. There are kid-friendly games on hand to keep them occupied. They do not serve food, but do have a few pre-packaged snack options available to munch on. There are food trucks and food vendors booked on most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. You may also bring your own food in with you or order and have food delivered.
Temperance Beer Co.
- Address: 2000 Dempster St., Evanston
Draft and cider beers are available in 10 ounces, 12 ounces and 17 ounces. For those who want to try multiple beers, try their flight of four drafts. They also offer a designated dog area out front. You are welcome to bring your own food and they offer pop-ups from local restaurants occasionally. To find out when the next pop-up is, check their upcoming events page.
Une Année | Hubbard’s Cave Brewery & BBQ
- Address: 6343 Gross Point Road, Niles
Come here for beer and BBQ eats. Kids’ menu options are hot dog, mac and cheese, buttered noodles and pulled pork sliders. Check their calendar for upcoming events on the patio or in the taproom.
Sketchbook Brewing Co.
- Locations: 821 Chicago Ave., Evanston and 4901 Main St., Skokie
The taprooms feature a dozen different beers on tap, gluten free cider and nonalcoholic kombucha on tap. They even feature cans of soda and lemonade for a more family-friendly option. They do not serve food, but have occasional popups from food vendors. Guests are always welcome to bring their own food in though. There are board games for the kids, too.
Kid-friendly Breweries in South Suburbs
Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery
- Address: 1035 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor
This family-owned brewpub serves American classics such as burgers, wings, baby back pork ribs and more. They have Sunday brunch, lunch specials and house made pies. Kids can enjoy a 1/4 slab rib dinner, pizza, pasta and other items. Their award-winning, small batch of beers are offered year-round and referred to as the “Great Eight Series.”
One Allegiance Brewing
- Address: 10215 S. Harlem Ave., Chicago Ridge
They have 16 beers on draft, a full bar, live music, food trucks and more. They do not serve food at the moment and welcome you to bring in your own. They do, however, have snacks like popcorn and seasoned pretzels. Food trucks will be scheduled every Friday and Saturday in the summer months and live music will be on Saturdays in the winter months. Children under 18 are allowed until 8 p.m. The grassy areas are dog-friendly, too.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
- Locations: 16156 S. La Grange Road, Orland Park
This brewery exclusively pours their in-house beers which are only available in-house or to-go from there. All rock bottom locations have different brews. Their kids’ menu includes small cheese or pepperoni pizza, steak, chicken fingers, burgers and mac and cheese.
Family-friendly Breweries in West Suburbs
Emmett’s Brewing Company
- Locations: 5200 Main St., Downers Grove
This brewery’s locations are family-friendly and have a lot of food options to choose from. Their kids’ menu offers pasta, pizza, burgers, fried fish and more. They have vegetarian and gluten free menus to make choosing something easier.
Black Horizon Brewing
- Address: 7560 S. Quincy St., Willowbrook
This Black-owned brewery is the only one in the region. They have board games, classic arcade video games, a foosball table, TVs and air conditioning.
Bubblehouse Brewing Company
- Address: 2121 Ogden Ave., Unit A, Lisle
This is a family-friendly taproom that allows you to bring your dogs on the outdoor patio. You can bring your own food in or have it delivered there. You can partake in games or just enjoy some good ol’ conversation at this place. Check their calendar for upcoming events.
Flapjack Brewery
- Address: 6833 Stanley Ave., Berwyn
Families can check out Berwyn’s small-batch brewery and wood-fired pizzeria. Enjoy a beer on tap or to-go when you pick up your pie. Seating at the tables and at the bar is first-come, first served.
Milk Money Brewing
- Address: 75 S. La Grange Road, La Grange
Enjoy artisan cuisine and craft beer at this place. Choose from beer, cider, wine, whiskey and other cocktails. The children’s menu offers grilled cheese, Amish chicken chunks, burger or a slice of cheese pizza.
Miskatonic Brewing Company
- Address: 1000 N. Frontage Road C, Darien
The taproom is kid-friendly and dog-friendly. You must keep your dog on a leash and water bowls are provided upon request. Check their website for beers on tap and current brews with friends because they change every so often. Also, make sure to check their website for upcoming events.
Noon Whistle Brewing
Enjoy a beer on tap in a family-friendly atmosphere. At their Naperville location, there will be food trucks and live music that rotates on weekends and you are more than welcome to bring your own food there, as well. Their Lombard location now has a kitchen with a full menu and limited hours. They offer appetizers, sandwiches, salads, sides and flatbreads. For the kiddos, they have mini chicken corn dogs, Kobe hot dogs and a mini cheese and tomato sauce flatbread. They also offer tours at their Naperville location every Saturday starting at 1 p.m. for $10.
One Lake Brewing
- Address: 1 Lake St., Oak Park
Try the beer made in-house, guest offerings, wines and craft cocktails. The children’s menu has chicken tenders, burgers, grilled cheese, mac and cheese and buttered noodles.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
- Locations: 28256 Diehl Road, Warrenville
This brewery exclusively pours their in-house beers which are only available in-house or to-go from there. All rock bottom locations have different brews. Their kids’ menu includes small cheese or pepperoni pizza, steak, chicken fingers, burgers and mac and cheese.
Skeleton Key Brewery
- Address: 8102 Lemont Road #300, Woodridge
This craft microbrewery and taproom has a “family room” for kids and adults to hang together in. Make sure to bring your own food with you or order from the food trucks when they are there. Make sure to check their website and Facebook for any upcoming events.
Stockholm’s Restaurant & Brewery
- Address: 306 W. State St., Geneva
This family-friendly restaurant and brewery has an eclectic menu with plenty of gluten-free options. They have more than a dozen different handcrafted beers. Their children’s menu has peanut butter and jelly, pasta with marinara, grilled chicken with veggies, chicken nuggets and more.
Tapville Social
- Locations: 216 S. Washington St., Naperville and 101 W State St, Geneva (coming soon)
Their craft and cider beers are broken up by different categories on their menu such as light and crisp, fruity and spicy, sour and funky, hoppy and bitter, malty and sweet, dark and roasty, ciders and seltzers, and on deck. That way, it’s easier for someone to find a beer that will be sure to like by what taste they’re in the mood for. They also have a menu for kid’s that features chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, buttered noodles and a junior burger.
Two Brothers Tap House
- Address: 30W315 Calumet Ave. W, Warrenville
A family-friendly independent brew house has something for everyone. They have year-round and specialty brews on the menu. If you’re not sure what you would like, try one of their beer flight options. Guest beers available, too. They have a great food menu which features pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads and plenty of appetizers. For kids, they have mac and cheese, junior burgers and chicken fingers.
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