(This post was updated and refreshed on 03/04/2024. Enjoy!)
If you’ve ever hung out with us outside of work, 9 times out of 10 there is a tasty brew involved. We watched the great “brewery boom” through Tacoma over the last few years, spreading from downtown to 6th Ave. There is even a designated Brewery District now! Another "boom" occurred in those years though, and that's the population of new parents, who are just as thirsty as they were before kids. We joined that group in March of 2022 when we welcome our daughter Fiona, who is also known as our "brewery babe".
Now we know it can be tough getting out of the house between the time your bundles of joy arrive and when they turn 18. So, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite spots to enjoy a beer where the kiddos can tag along. Cheers!
State Street Beer Company is a bright friendly spot located in our little 6th Ave neighborhood. There are always families catching up with old friends, young minds at work behind the keyboard, and usually someone quietly reading the paper at the bar top. This cheerfully modern corner of Tacoma offers tasty pizza, an insanely delicious burrata, rotating taps, and a cooler stocked with wine, beer, N/A options, and a selection of kid-friendly drinks. They also have a shelf stocked with cards and games as well as a basket full of toy cars, but we still recommend bringing and activity or two to keep your tiny humans entertained. You'll often find us pulled up to the family style table in the middle where Fiona can do laps and of course make friends. We love it here.
Beer Star is a fantastic tap house located on 6th Ave. With nearly 50 beers on tap and a wall to wall cooler stocked with wine, cider, and NA options, there's something for everyone. Outside food is always welcome but local food trucks are there Thursday - Saturday. If you're only feeling "snacky", Beer Star offers a great assortment of chips, nuts, snack packs, and giants pickles. There is a family-friendly section on one side of the tap house and the outdoor seating is all kid friendly. Stay warm by the ginormous fire pit or have it made in the shade on those warm summer days!
Being the most spacious location on the list, we often choose 7 Seas for birthday parties and other highly-attended celebrations. The large family-style tables and couch areas are great for casual gatherings. With food and coffee options from partnering companies Camp Colvos Canteen and Naomi Joe, 7 Seas can meet almost everyone’s needs. There is a pinball room everyone can enjoy, but we do recommend bringing some activities for smaller kiddos. For us though, a Rude Parrot IPA in one hand and a shuffle board puck in the other is our choice way to spend an evening at this industrial on-site brewery.
BONUS: 7 Seas has a second location in Gig Harbor that is also kid friendly! Head across the bridge and check them out at 2905 Harborview Dr.
Sig Brewing has one of our all time favorite food menus in Tacoma. The chili gnocchi is *chefs kiss* good. What they are truly known for though is their brick oven pizzas. The classic Spekmat with pepperoni, chili honey, and parmesan is a great go-to, but anything with the Sig house sausage is always a treat. And don't skip the crust sauce! Vegan and vegetarian options are available, and if you're cutting back on the carbs, give the massive house salad a try. Sig brews an amazing selection of creative beers, from classic IPA's, lagers, and stouts, to dragon fruit golden ales and carrot cake cream ales. Children are welcome until 7pm, and with so many pizza options, there's sure to be something they'll love!
Aptly named, North 47 Brewing is located in the heart of Browns Point in Northeast Tacoma. A trip across the tide flats will get you to this family friendly little spot, with tasty beer, fun food trucks, and popcorn for all. When we do make the trip, we usually get a sampler of the latest rotating brews and chat with whichever locals are in that day. North 47 is very community oriented and we will often see them hosting local artists or holding fun crafting events. Outsid e food is always welcome and there are often rotating food trucks in the parking lot. The truckschedule is kept in their events sections online. This brewery also LOVES their Seahawks. If you're looking for a spot to catch the game, check out one of their viewing parties!
Before settling into our 6th Ave neighborhood, John and I lived just two blocks from this little North End Taco-ma haven. We often strolled over for breakfast burritos, espresso, and extra habanero sauce. If it were an evening visit, we would make the tough choice of selecting one (or two) of the twenty-four rotating taps. Kids have a choice of taps from the soda fountain. With a menu that boasts street taco classics like my favorites, chorizo verde and carne asada, as well as salad bowls and burrito options, it’s hard to leave unsatisfied. Vegan and vegetarian taco lovers have multiple choices as well! So, when that nacho craving hits hard, stop by with kiddos in tow and enjoy some warm house made tortilla chips in the indoor family seating or, weather permitting, take a spot outside and enjoy a sunny day in the north end.
Odd Otter is known for brewing some out of the ordinary beers, that are constantly rotating. Their flagship Ottermelon Hefeweizen is a must and recently they started brewing their own hard seltzers. One thing about Odd Otter that they like to share, is that thye like to have FUN! Not just in their unique beers, but they welcome the community to play games, join in trivia, and sing their hearts out at open mic night. Odd Otter has long supported local artists, including children who are allowed to participate in open mic nights. Outside food is always welcome and being in the heart of downtown, the options are endless!
Whether you’re a parent needing to get out into some old familiar territory or you’re just the cool auntie/uncle looking to spend time with friends and family, we hope this opens up options that are pleasing for all ages.
We are John and Catie Douville, real estate agents from the Tacoma area. We love exploring the South Sound and sharing our experiences through this blog. Sign up and never miss a post.
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