Upcoming Toronto Trip, Kid-Friendly Beer Options

I wish I could help you on this one. I have never tried to go to any of my favourite local beer places with children in tow. Most of the places I like to go to (when I go out) don't seem to ever have children around so I am not too sure what to suggest. I am hoping others can pipe in for you here with better experience than I have.

The LCBO at King and Spadina is not too bad as far as LCBOs go. If you aren't inclined to venture too far outside that area, it might be your best bet. You can get a feel for what they will have in stock using this site, a site I just myself learned about recently:

http://boozewatch.ca/

(Choose Toronto - King and Spadina as your virtual store).

 

I would say Bellwoods, Barhop, Barvolo, Beerbistro, The Only Cafe, Cest What and the other favourites are fine for kids, but late at night especially on Friday or Saturday Bellwoods, Barvolo and Barhop can be very crowded and hectic for kids.

 

Just my opinion but you really should try and make time for a stop at Bar Volo. It's a craft and import beer establishment touchstone in Toronto and will be closing after 28 years at the end of this summer. Amazing beer tap and bottle lists. It may be your last chance to visit this Toronto beer icon.

 

All true. Definitely places that can host a kid, but more so during the day or early evening for places like Bellwoods, Bar Hop and Bar Volo. Indeed, I have seen kids sitting in Volo with parents for an early dinner, likewise for the Bellwoods patio and C'est What. Also right near you in the entertainment district is WVRST on King Street. Very good beer selection (taps and bottles) and definitely kid-friendly. Sausages, fries and ice cream at communal tables.

As for sources to purchase, I would be sticking with the breweries themselves. If you're staying around the downtown core, this really just means Bellwoods, but slightly further afield you'll find Burdock, Left Field, Blood Brothers (don't be too sketched out by location), Rainhard and Indie Alehouse (which also has decent food and would welcome a kid ... I think someone mentioned it above).

As for LCBO, King/Spadina is your closest bet for a decent location selection-wise, but the Queens Quay and Summerhill LCBO locations are solid "destination" stores. Avoid "The Beer Store" ... it's a misnomer of sorts in the circles that frequent these threads.

 

Your kids may enjoy WVRST as well, decent draft list, and fridge. Exotic game sausages, duck fat fries in a German style Beer hall setting. Amsterdamn brew pub and it's huge patio on Lake Ontario will appeal if its hot. I'd also hesitate to suggest Mill Street's restaurant/brew pub from a "craft beer" perspective, but it fits the bill for a family friendly destination.

 

The Granite is a great place for kids, the back patio opens into a courtyard, so there's room for them to play around. Not the most highly sought after beer, but good beer and good food... They make their own root beer too. (We use to be regulars).

http://www.granitebrewery.ca

 

What? I would not recommend any of these places if you have kids, except maybe Bellwoods as their patio makes them seem more kid friendly, especially on a nice day.
The rest are bars first. You can bring your kids but I'd be judging you if I was in there and saw you walk in with them.
As a parent of two I am VERY conscious of where I bring my kids. They are impressionable and I wouldn't want to make them uncomfortable by taking them to dimly lit bars full off non-children. I just came back from a 2 week roadtrip to the PNW. How many bars did I hit? 1. Went alone when my wife put the kids to bed in the hotel. Bar was around the corner. I hit a few breweries but only to run in and out with beer. Same with a couple bottle shops.

Burdock seems nice. Maybe its the places more in residential areas that appear to be more suitable for minors.

And who would bring their kids to a bar in the evening... on a weekend....

My suggestion is to have lunch on patios, grab stuff to go, and enjoy evening brews at home. You are a parent first. Beer hound second.

 

I hear ya. Going solo is best.
When I'm with my kids they are my focus. If they are slightly uncomfortable I'm out of there. As they get older (they are 13 an 8) we are going to more interesting places, but still not to bars. I look for farm to table restaurants with good taps.

 

I would like to point out that I said these places are not suitable late at night or on weekends, but even then, craft bars are still less insane than many chain restaurant/sports bars any time of day. And Beer Bistro has a restaurant atmosphere at all times. But I would definitely look for places that have kid friendly food first before looking at beer.

 

You said they can be very crowded and hectic for kids. That was no mention of "not suitable". Malls can be crowded and hectic. Amusement parks can be crowded and hectic.
I don't think you chose the best words first time around.

 

Just to make it clear, I meant that it would be unsuitable.

 

Gotcha.

 

C'est what and Indie are for sure kid friendly. I've been many times with my boys (10-13). I wouldn't bring them late at night, but I don't bring them anywhere late at night except for bed.

Craft Brasserie would also be fine. Bier Market would be another one that would be fine for kids. Amsterdam as well.

I've taken my kids to Bar Hop, and while it was fine it's not the best spot for kids. I wouldn't take my kids to Volo, or Bellwoods unless it was during a really dead period. Not that any of those places would be horrible for kids, but they are small and I'd feel weird having my kids take up a paid spot from another possible patron.

 

You feeding your kids? They are then paying, no?