Novi / Detroit - Kid Friendly Breweries

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by InVinoVeritas, Feb 17, 2017.

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  1. InVinoVeritas

    InVinoVeritas Initiate (0) Apr 16, 2012 Wisconsin

    Sorry for last minute request for info. Guys weekend with my 4.5 year old to Red Wings game tomorrow. I'd like to go to a brewery, ideally with food and a good environment for my son. Ideal kid place would have toys, but not required. However, it can't be a mad house; chill without too much shenanigans. Thanks and Prost!
     
  2. SaisonRichBiere

    SaisonRichBiere Pooh-Bah (2,033) Mar 23, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    Not sure about available toys anywhere, but you will run the risk of any brewery setting being busy when there is a Wings game. These are the handful of Breweries in Detroit I've been to with my kids, that aren't too far from the arena. I hope this helps!

    Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria in Midtown seems to have families with kids in there every time I am there, and I have taken my kids there a few times with no issues. They even have a kids pizza menu. It does get busy, but if its just the two of you, getting a seat may not be difficult.

    Traffic Jam and Snug is two doors down from Jolly Pumpkin and has its own parking lot. The food is good, it usually has a low-key vibe, and a kids menu with crayons and coloring. I will warn you that the beer is very hit and miss. Some decent beers, I've had some good beers, but also some very poor, if not sometimes infected brews, and they don't seem to realize it. It was Michigan's first brewpub, and they seem to boast about their brewing method being "dairy brewed", whatever that means. I take my kids there often when we are in Detroit, and risk the beer every time, to about a 50% success rate. If you're willing, give it a try.

    Motor City Brewing is in Traffic Jam's parking lot. They have snacks and small brick oven pizzas, and the building is cramped. Not the best place for kids, but I have taken my son there once with another couple and their son, and it wasn't awful. Flagship beers are old-school American/European styling, but they have some more current on-trend styles as well.

    In addition to a good variety of beers, Batch Brewing in Corktown has an assortment of board games and large rathskeller-style tables, but the food menu is a bit on the gourmet end. My picky kids likely wouldn't eat anything there. It is not too far from the Joe, either. It does get busy, and it can be a bit cramped, but with the weather report, they may have some outside seating opened up.

    Good Luck!
     
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  3. SaisonRichBiere

    SaisonRichBiere Pooh-Bah (2,033) Mar 23, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    Also, if you're in Novi, Ascension is worth a stop, I'm not too sure on how "kid-friendly" it is, but it is a restaurant/brewpub with decent food on the gourmet side, and very good beers. I've not taken my kids there.
     
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  4. croush

    croush Pooh-Bah (2,407) Mar 20, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was thinking that it'd be tough to find kid-friendly breweries as well around there, but then again, I don't really consider a Wings game very kid-friendly either. Good luck with your 4.5 year old on this adventure! Hope you guys have a great time...don't expect much from the Wings though. :slight_frown:
     
  5. InVinoVeritas

    InVinoVeritas Initiate (0) Apr 16, 2012 Wisconsin

    No worries, we're Caps fans. Son's initials are CCM, loves hockey, has been on skates since he first started walking, lessens since 2 years and playing since before he was 4 years, mini-mites. We took him to Montreal to see the Caps play at 5 months, his first game.

    We'll manage, going to some brewery place tonight, not tomorrow. Tomorrow after the game we're going to Polish Village Cafe, love me some pierogies!
     
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  6. InVinoVeritas

    InVinoVeritas Initiate (0) Apr 16, 2012 Wisconsin

    Ascension was outstanding and very kid friendly, well friendly all together. Brews were very good, service was even better. Felt very welcome. Son had kid sized mac and cheese, and the owner even made my son chocolate milk. Son liked the beer too, just kidding.
     
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