Kids At Breweries - Yes or No? (1 Viewer)

[Joe Bryant]

And to be clear, this isn't about "well behaved" kids. This is if you're the owner of the brewery, do you set a policy that allows or prohibits kids under 16?

A local brewpub opened with a no-kids policy a little while ago: I have not been there yet. Their place, their rules, if I don't like it I can go elsewhere (sound familiar? )

That said, this place was obnoxious about it... live streaming the burning of high chairs from the previous owners in the parking lot and such. If not for that, who knows, maybe I would have stopped in sans kids at some point.

at least they are clear on targeting their market.

Yes. In some ways, I can see the argument about going all in there. Not only do they not allow kids. They make a big deal about it. For the people that REALLY don't like having kids there, this is likely a significant plus.

Stuff like that is interesting to me from a business angle.

 

[Instinctive]

And to be clear, this isn't about "well behaved" kids. This is if you're the owner of the brewery, do you set a policy that allows or prohibits kids under 16?

Personally, given how much revenue I see coming from parents with a kid because its a pretty big space with a concrete floor and you're not on top of the next table...I want that money.

So I have a "we reserve the right to ask you to leave if your child is causing a disruption to other patrons" posted in quite a few places. Because the $$$ matters in hospitality.

i could see that going sideways quick. does the customer reserve the right to not pay in that case?

Lol what?

I'm sure there would be some jerks. But I've owned a small business. I've worked in hospitality. And a very polite "hey, there's a certain atmosphere that make sit fun to be here and I've been in your shoes. We've got a table over here where you can finish, but we'd appreciate if you left quickly. You're obviously welcome back."

And honestly, if it's getting to be too much and they just ordered a round, I would absolutely comp the round.

 

[Dickies]

I regularly take my kids to breweries. We bring card games, and the kids are well behaved.

The closest it has ever been to an issue was a brewery with a very small indoor space where the manager told me that they do not allow kids. He then said that since they are well behaved and they were not even close to capacity (was midweek around 2:00pm) that he would let it fly, but if they became a distraction or there were other customers wanting space who did not have kids that he would ask us to leave. I appreciated him being upfront with us, but reasonable and I can't help but think that most situations could be handled like this.

 

[Zow]

And to be clear, this isn't about "well behaved" kids. This is if you're the owner of the brewery, do you set a policy that allows or prohibits kids under 16?

Personally, given how much revenue I see coming from parents with a kid because its a pretty big space with a concrete floor and you're not on top of the next table...I want that money.

So I have a "we reserve the right to ask you to leave if your child is causing a disruption to other patrons" posted in quite a few places. Because the $$$ matters in hospitality.

Yeah a brewery during the day was one of the few places I felt comfortable going with my kids when they were infants to give my wife a break. I enjoyed it immensely and don't think we disturbed anybody.

Adolescent children (5-12 years old) seem like they would be much worse.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

I am a hard yes for families/kids here, primarily because breweries are small businesses that are usually important parts of their local community. Most small towns in Minnesota have a brewery, and it's where families can hang out for a few hours with other community members. Most offer board games and root beer or sodas for the kids, and they often partner with a local food truck on weekends.

 

[elguapo07]

Don’t drink nor do I have kids but I’m a no, as in no way. Absolutely zero reason to be driving with kids after drinking even if it’s just a few. Hard stop.

My view is based on personal experience as years ago my drunken loser dad took me and one of my brothers to a Red Sox game. Pops was hammered and drove home and was doing about 50 and was all over the road to the point where a 12yr old elguapo had to reach over from the back seat and grab to steering wheel to avoid a head on collision.

 

[Keith R]

The ideal situation is having some that do and some that don't. Cater to both markets, maximize profit.

Given multiple choices, I would frequent the child-free locations unless one of the kid places had the best food.

 

[Instinctive]

Don’t drink nor do I have kids but I’m a no, as in no way. Absolutely zero reason to be driving with kids after drinking even if it’s just a few. Hard stop.

My view is based on personal experience as years ago my drunken loser dad took me and one of my brothers to a Red Sox game. Pops was hammered and drove home and was doing about 50 and was all over the road to the point where a 12yr old elguapo had to reach over from the back seat and grab to steering wheel to avoid a head on collision.

So it's a total yes if you can walk to the brewery?

 

[Statorama]

If they serve food, yes. At that point it's like bringing them to a Chili's or an Applebees.

If they just serve beer/alcohol - I'd urge parents to find an alternative and not leave it up to the brewery. Full Disclosure - from ages 8-9 I spent more time in Honky Tonks than Ken Stabler. It's not a period I reflect on fondly (mostly because I was bored out of my mind).

 

[the moops]

I can’t think of any brewery I have been to in the past several years that either didn’t have a kid or dog in it or at least an area that was clearly catered to families (board games, bocce court, etc). Dive bars are where we should go if we want to discuss adult topics with other adults without the fear of poisoning young children’s minds.

 

[dkp993]

As someone who ran a Brewery for 15yrs, if they are serving food and attempting to also be a restaurant. Then absolutely yes. If they are a brewery only (maybe very light snacks) then no. It’s more like a winery at that point imo.

 

[Don Quixote]

As someone who ran a Brewery for 15yrs, if they are serving food and attempting to also be a restaurant. Then absolutely yes. If they are a brewery only (maybe very light snacks) then no. It’s more like a winery at that point imo.

I would probably give the same view on wineries as I gave for breweries that it depends. I have been to some wineries with grape juice, food trucks, and large outdoor space that they encourage the kids to explore. I’ve kept my kid outside there though and do a grab and go of wine; I would not just go inside and do a sit-down formal wine tasting and force my kid to sit through the explanations of all of the wines.

 

[Zow]

I can’t think of any brewery I have been to in the past several years that either didn’t have a kid or dog in it or at least an area that was clearly catered to families (board games, bocce court, etc). Dive bars are where we should go if we want to discuss adult topics with other adults without the fear of poisoning young children’s minds.

Funny - I assumed this was just catering to Minneapolis hipsters.

 

[ghostguy123]

It would make more sense to have the cutoff at 21. Are people bringing their teens as designated drivers?

I certainly have.

 

[ghostguy123]

This 100% just depends on the brewery. That's the answer.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Story Time: Met my son when he had turned 18, HS Senior in Dallas TX, was with him less than 24 hours and we were staying at the Omni which houses a steakhouse, it was Landry's at the time, not sure if its still there.

Son: In Texas you only have to be 18 to have a drink at the bar with your dad/parent
MOP: "Really?!!" come with me...

I taught him what top shelf was quickly and we proceeded to watch the football games at the bar, I wouldn't let him drink swill light beer
We had a blast
He doesn't drink very much now but he'll call me on Sundays during football and face time so we can crack a can together

I'm torn on this one but I would likely keep the children away or they have to be on the outside patio where noise is a little more acceptable
I also would have some pretty good music pumping to drown out any children

 

[Anarchy99]

I live next to a Bud plant. They used to be really family oriented. Free tours. Housed their Clydesdales. Had a restaurant, gift shop, events, concerts, etc. They stopped doing that when COVID hit and haven’t gone back. There were always a ton of kids. It was the only destination attraction in my town. It was awesome. I would vote kids not remotely a problem. But I don’t know how that compares to other breweries.

 

[rockaction]

If they just serve beer/alcohol - I'd urge parents to find an alternative and not leave it up to the brewery. Full Disclosure - from ages 8-9 I spent more time in Honky Tonks than Ken Stabler. It's not a period I reflect on fondly (mostly because I was bored out of my mind).

You have a way about you where this does not surprise me. That’s a compliment, by the way, even though you might have disliked the experience. Made you what you are, which is good— well, at least the part we get to see.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think i went to the A-B Brewery for a field trip about 3-4 times in grade school. And my daughter has probably been in more tasting rooms than most here. That said...

Dogs >>>>>>>>>> kids

 

[Ilov80s]

During the day, yes as long as they are well behaved. After sundown, no.

 

[GennyScreamers]

100% yes. Most breweries, at least where I'm located, advertise that they are kid and family friendly. Doubly so if they have a decent outdoor space.

 

[Sammy3469]

Around here (north county San Diego), if there is food (an especially if there’s food and it’s outside) kids are almost always expected as they’re sort of the de facto family dining (most serve pizza, barbeque, or tacos). The few that don’t serve food are almost all adults only, but those are much more straight bars in their vibe.

 

[-OZ-]

I’d rather have a dog friendly brewery.

 

[Godsbrother]

if the brewery has a restaurant then absolutely yes. If not, I don’t know why parents would take kids there.

 

[belljr]

Lol joke deleted....I find that very interesting

 

[belljr]

I guess the board is okay with kicking dogs but not children. Now I know where the line is

 

[FBG Moderator]

Lol joke deleted....I find that very interesting

Not sure it's interesting.

You wrote: "If your kid gives me the stink eye or annoys me when I pass on my way to the bathroom, I will kick them"

We try to avoid "jokes" about kicking kids here. Thanks.

If there's something about kicking dogs somewhere, please report that as well. We don't see every single one of the thousands of posts a day.

 

[Zow]

I guess the board is okay with kicking dogs but not children. Now I know where the line is

You serious, Clark?

This board championed saving a dog over a human.

ETA: Oh, I see you're referencing moderation.

 

[Boston]

Big picture...is it a family-friendly venue or an adult venue...pretty simple, let the business answer this for you. Digging a little deeper...are you bringing your kids to legit have fun as a family or because drinking is so important to you you are pretending this is to have fun as a family when it's about you having a few pops.

 

[Joe Bryant]

For what it's worth.

Just got back from a visit to local brewery after my nephew's graduation.

25 people including my other nephews that are 4 and 1 and well behaved. Zero issue with them for anyone else. Between beers and merchandise and tip we spent a significant amount of money. The place was about 3/4 full.

And they would have missed out on all that if they'd not allowed kids.

It's an interesting business decision.

 

[KarmaPolice]

As someone who ran a Brewery for 15yrs, if they are serving food and attempting to also be a restaurant. Then absolutely yes. If they are a brewery only (maybe very light snacks) then no. It’s more like a winery at that point imo.

if the brewery has a restaurant then absolutely yes. If not, I don’t know why parents would take kids there.

This was going to be my response too. I did like the point @Ilov80s made about time of day too.

 

[5-ish Finkle]

I’d rather have a dog friendly brewery.

Agreed. Dogs are usually better trained.

(And can almost certainly hold their liquor better.)

 

[bigbottom]

I went to a really nice restaurant last week that has the following rule:

• Children under 16 are not permitted after 7pm in the restaurant, or at any time in our bar/lounge area.

Now granted, this is a really nice restaurant, but it’s the first time I’ve been to a place that prominently communicates and enforces this rule. Obviously a much different environment than a casual brewery restaurant.

 

[Instinctive]

I went to a really nice restaurant last week that has the following rule:

• Children under 16 are not permitted after 7pm in the restaurant, or at any time in our bar/lounge area.

Now granted, this is a really nice restaurant, but it’s the first time I’ve been to a place that prominently communicates and enforces this rule. Obviously a much different environment than a casual brewery restaurant.

Great policy.

There's a cocktail bar by us that opens at five. They've told us we can bring our baby for a round or two but to leave by 6. Given their vibe and aesthetic, makes perfect sense to me and is quite accommodating.