Taste The Best Beer and Enjoy The Best Kid-Friendly Breweries all in One City
Family friendly brewery might sound like an oxymoron but luckily it’s not in Kalamazoo! Thanks to a growing trend, there are now more places than ever for families to dine out and enjoy a brew.
Kalamazoo is filled with not only restaurants that welcome children into their establishments but also several that make it entertaining for kids.
We’ve compiled a list of seven of our top choices for “brews and babies.” These places, at a minimum, have kid’s menus. However, you’ll find that many of them have way more to enjoy.
The breweries listed are my family’s go-to joints and I can personally attest to their greatness and family-oriented atmosphere.
We’ve compiled a list and would love for you to comment below if we’ve missed any of your favorite spots! Make sure to tell us what makes your brewery a great choice for families.
These Kalamazoo Area Breweries Make Your Family Feel Like Their Family
HopCat Kalamazoo
300 E Water St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Our kids love the french fries and I love that the staff treats us like family. They have a dedicated kids menu adorably called HotKittens menu with the kid staples: Mac and cheese, burger, quesadilla, and delicious chicken tenders.
HopCat has an impressive range of beer including microbrews, ciders, and domestics. If you haven’t tried their fries, I highly recommend you schedule your trip today.
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
355 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Bell’s has the coolest nature-based outdoor area around. My kids love running around and pretending to perform on the stage, and playing corn hole.
Their menu has its own kid section with kid-approved eats like sliders, Mac and cheese, grilled cheese (or as my daughter calls it a “grumble cheese”) hot dog, and quesadilla. I recommend adding a scoop of Plainwell ice cream for dessert. Plainwell ice cream is my favorite.
Check out Bell’s concert schedule for their outdoor concerts as some are family-friendly and entertaining for all ages.
Old Dog Tavern
402 E Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Old Dog Tavern is the best weekend brunch spot for a brew when you have kiddos. While your kids rock out to music, you can enjoy their Bloody Mary bar or mimosa flight specials. The atmosphere there is one of a kind. It feels like hanging out at an old friend’s house. You’ll want to go back every week.
One Well Brewing
4213 Portage St, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Find an impressive selection of brews on tap here along with pre-packaged beer for purchase. Their allergy-friendly menu aims to please and tastes delicious. The creatively-named kid menu items are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
One Well Brewing prides themselves on creating a visually pleasing atmosphere while placing an emphasis on sustainability. I love that using reclaimed and recycled materials is part of their mission statement.
This brewery restaurant will take you back to simpler times. Their dining room is filled with arcade games for the older kids and a kid corner with various toddler toys. You’ll find a jumbo Connect Four game, blocks, chalk, and other age-appropriate toys.
Bonus: if you’re a board game lover like myself, you will love their wide selection of games to play and enjoy while you sip your favorite IPA.
Latitude 42
7842 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002
6101 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
At both locations, they have a large indoor kid play area with a kitchen, play food, and chalk. If you’re like me and enjoy having a sip while enjoying the fresh air, you can rest easy in knowing your kids are having safe fun as well.
The Portage location outdoor patio offers fun elements for the whole family. Enjoy giant Jenga, shuffleboard, playhouses, and plentiful seating with fire pits. The Oshtemo location has outdoor chalkboards, mini picnic tables, and a playhouse.
The kid’s menu earns high marks. I get overly giddy when my daughter can’t finish her french fries and mac and cheese. Each kid’s menu item comes with a dessert choice of fresh fruit or a dirt and worms ice cream treat.
Presidential Brewing Company
8302 Portage Rd, Portage, MI 49002
This brewery is one of my favorite places to grab an IPA with or without my kids. I love that they make it easy to bring the family with kid-favorite staples on their kid’s menu adorably named “future presidents”. Each kid’s entree comes with a drink, chips, applesauce, and a cookie.
The open picnic-style seating is spacious. Grab a spot by the designated kid’s area – with a large chalkboard and kitchen play area. Tip: kids will devour an order of Scott’s Tots.
Texas Corners Brewing Company
6970 Texas Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Located in a renovated church, this restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients to bring you a farm to table feel. They are a laid back, family-owned company and their staff goes above and beyond with great kindness and service. You will feel right at home and your kids will love their menu featuring all the classic kid-approved meals.
