Kid friendly Chicago brewery

Are you going to be in the city-proper? If so, my vote would be for Goose Island's Clybourn brewpub. Not only is it the OG in town, but the food is good, there are some excellent beers, and the place always has families in it.

I can't speak for FFF or 18th Street (don't get out to Indiana much, and I've only been to FFF for Dark Lord), but of the breweries in the city, I think GI is your best bet. Bonus points because you can cross the street and be in the biggest Binny's in the city.

 

Revolution is kid friendly. I wouldn't say Floyds or 18th are not, however the limited menu items at both might mean you will be going through a McDonald's drive thru after

 

Not sure if you're looking for breweries for which you cannot buy their beers in Michigan, but I would recommend Lagunitas. Took my little guy there a couple times. Really good food, cool atmosphere, and flights!

 

Not sure how old your kid is but Goose Island Clyborn and Imperial Oak in Willow Springs have changing tables in both bathrooms. I got a 7 month old who has been to 33 breweries already, I've kept a list of where I can change him easily.

 

18th Street (Hammond) is ideal if your kids are into Slayer.

 

Isn't it just the worst when only the women's bathroom has the changing table? Sorry honey, you've got to change him.

 

Don't go to 3 Floyds. I like the place, but I wouldn't take my kids there. I'm not so sure about 18th Street either - I've only been to the Gary location and never saw kids there, but can't speak to the Hammond location. I know they sent a tweet out once about being able to accommodate kids, but it didn't seem like they were exactly encouraging it.

If you're in the city, go to Goose Island Clybourn, Revolution brewpub or Lagunitas (haven't been yet, but I've heard repeatedly it is kid friendly).

 

3 Floyds has loud metal music. At best your kids will go deaf, at worst they will pick up a metal song before going deaf and then sing only that for the rest of their lives. Your call.

GI Clybourn is the best bet as people pointed out, especially because they have a parking lot and plenty of space to seat you in a more kid friendly place.

I hadn't thought about Lagunitas as people mentioned, but if the kids are old enough, they might like doing the tour because the place is massive and the taproom is like a high up panopticon with cool views.

 

18th street in Hammond is ok only if the weather is nice and you sit out on the patio.

 

Lagunitas is kid friendly and it would be your best option to get in and out of Chicago quickly from Brookfield. My kids loved the trippy entrance and the views from the catwalks as well.

 

Another drawback to 3 Floyds is there will likely be a wait to get in, creating 45 minutes of standing around while your family gets more and more annoyed.

 

yeah id never take a kid to 3F. Go to Goose Island as stated. There are always families in there, it's a big place you can get some room and or privacy if the kids need it. And hitting that binnys next door is a must.

 

Two kids here....Obviously some people in this thread do not have them.

I highly advise against taking kids to FFF. It is very loud, all metal music. Not exactly kid friendly.

I also advise against Half-Acre. It is also very loud and dark inside toward the evening. Maybe lighter during the day, I don't know.

Take your kids to Lagunitas. It's not loud, there is tons of space for them to walk around a bit if you sit on the balcony/cat walk. You'll need to be clear not to stray too far as the balcony goes a long ways and tell them no running. There is also a magician doing magic shows for kids. Most kid friendly place in Chicago I know of.

Enjoy!

 

Is this "magician" by any chance taking malt, water and hops and turning them into beer? Because I'm pretty sure that isn't a magician.

 

Totally agree on this, which is why I didn't bring it up. Half Acre is also really small, so definitely not ideal for antsy kids. Not to mention the fact that it can be difficult to get seats in the evening/weekends.

 

I wish that's what he was doing! Man you'd think a magician in a brewery would be able to do that....

But seriously, he had both my kids, and my friends two kids eyes glued on him for 30 min. Well worth the tip.

 

Lagunitas..you can take the train and it's just a 15 minute walk after that. I think Haymarket is also kid friendly in the day as well.
Most of your suburban breweries are just taprooms with no food.

 

They may want to just keep doing the walk from the entrance to the stairs over and over again. It's fun!