It’s Beer Thirty Somewhere!

One thing many parents miss about their pre-kid lives is the ability to just go have a beer. Sitting with other adults and chatting over brews and bar snacks on a sunny weekend afternoon seems like a faraway pipe dream with toddlers and kids in tow. It’s a good thing then that so many breweries in the Bay Area are open to families, and many have made a point to make them welcoming for all ages. This roundup is by no means the end of the list; it turns out that upon researching options, this writer found more than she imagined. Parents, pack some goldfish crackers and some crayons and go get your beer on!

East Brother Beer Co. – Richmond

This one is a favorite. Many cool weekend events take place here. The open space is nice to see. Outside there is bocce ball and often, food trucks! Indoors there are some “old timey” arcade games and a machine to make change. Bathrooms are clean, the place is easily accessible for disabilities, and the beer is good. I’m a fan of the stout, but there isn’t a bad beer there, and the staff are friendly. This is a great place for families with big kids, tweens and teens.

East Brother Beer Co., 1001 Canal Blvd., Richmond. 510-230-4081, www.eastbrotherbeer.com

Temescal Brewery – Oakland

If you have a dog or a kid, you will fit in just fine here. It’s a hip place, definitely part of the whole Temescal vibe. There’s a large garden wrapped in beautiful murals, and free popcorn!!

Temescal Brewery, 4115 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 510-899-5628, www.temescalbrewing.com

Drake’s Dealership – Oakland

This place has been described as “the perfect urban beer garden” and it’s not hard to see why. There is a ton of indoor and outdoor seating. There’s always something fun and interesting going on when I pass by. Parking is tricky though, so walk or BART if possible. Beers are fancy here, but not expensive!

Drake’s Dealership, 2325 Broadway, Oakland. 510-568-2739,

www.drinkdrakes.com

Calicraft Brewing Company – Walnut Creek

This spot welcomes “Well behaved adults, children and dogs” according to its website. The beers are innovative and unique, and the menu is more than just peanuts and pretzels.

Calicraft Taproom, 2700 Mitchell Dr., Walnut Creek. 925-478-8103, www.calicraft.com

Fieldwork Brewing Co. – Berkeley

This place is super chill, and close to lots of other things to see and do, like the 4th Street Promenade and the shops there. There are table games like Jenga to keep older kids from moaning of boredom. Follow Fieldwork on Instagram to keep abreast of its frequent fun events.

Fieldwork Brewing Co., 1160 Sixth St., Berkeley. 510-898-1203, www.fieldworkbrewing.com

Sunset Reservoir – San Francisco

The owner of this brewery has four kids herself and has made this a great place for San Francisco families. There’s a kids’ menu with the typical kids’ fare, spaghetti, hamburgers, chicken strips, and of course crayons to color with. Lunch or early dinner is the best time to go with kids who like to get up from the table a lot.

Sunset Reservoir Brewery, 1735 Noriega St., San Francisco. 415-571-8452, www.sunsetbeersf.com

 Eight Bridges Brewing Inc. – Livermore

Eight Bridges doesn’t look like a brewery from the outside, but don’t worry, it is. Lots of open space for toddlers, kids, and dogs. There is a resident “shop-dog” who might come visit the table and the kids, but don’t worry, it’s super cool. Staff is friendly and not just tolerant but welcoming of families.

Eight Bridges Brewing Inc., 332 Earhart Way, Livermore. 925-961-9160, www.eightbridgesbrewing.com

Haley Reen is an East Bay-based freelance writer