Let’s face it–you and your partner want to have fun and drink a couple of beers, but you can’t find a sitter. Perhaps you just want to make a quick pit-stop for some of your favorite kinds of beer, but you have your kids with you. Lucky for you, Orlando is home to several awesome breweries, and many of them are family-friendly!
Editor's note – We're excited to have Ashley, @floridahopmama, share her picks for kid-friendly breweries in our area. Ashley grew up here in Florida, and is known for finding the best beers and best breweries. And, we are excited to present OrlandoParenting.com – launching soon!
Highlights: Large beer garden, food on-site Location: Conway/Edgewood, South Orlando
Gatlin Hall Brewing, located in the Conway/Edgewood area of South Orlando, has everything you need to spend a fun afternoon with the family. Walk inside their large taproom and you’ll find plenty of room to sit to watch the game on TV and enjoy some beers. This brewery also has a unique “food hall” off to the right.
Da Kine Poke, Willy’s, and Frenchy’s. Da Kine offers poke bowls and a few other fun menu items. You can either build your own bowl, or choose from one off the menu. They have unique flavors and toppings, from Maui onions and pineapple to crispy rice and green curry coconut miso sauce. Your mouth will start watering once you take a look at Willy’s menu: juicy burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, tasty bites, and more! They serve up classic styles and savory flavors of mushroom, onions, and jalapeno burgers.
Neither of these drawing an appetite? Gatlin Hall also houses Frenchy’s Wood-Fired Pizza! Bite into a slice of pie and take a sip of beer! The amazing flavors of a wood-fired pizza topped with mozzarella, basil, mushrooms, and more will complement your tastebuds and get you thirsty for more beer.
Gatlin Hall produces an array of beer styles, from hazy and hoppy India Pale Ales (IPAs) to crisp, clean pilsners and lagers. Additionally, they have a full bar and have a great selection of bourbons.
Outside, you’ll find a spacious beer garden with games to play and plenty of space for the family to hang out for lunch or a sunny afternoon!
Highlights: Large taproom, games Location: Orlando, near MCO/Orlando International Airport
Tucked away and only five minutes from the Orlando International Airport, Ellipsis Brewing has room for the family to hang out and enjoy some great brews. They have games to play and places for the family to have a seat and relax.
Ellipsis brews things from juicy, hazy IPAs to decadent, dark stouts. They also offer beer in cans to take home! Grab a flight and get a taste of their tap list while you hang out with the family. Ellipsis often hosts food trucks, so you will have to keep up with their social media to stay up-to-date. This brewery is a great spot to sample some of Orlando’s beer when you fly in (or out) and overall a wonderful place to visit when you are thirsty for something hoppy.
Highlights: food, patio seating Location: Lake Nona
Pies and beers for all! Take the family to Park Pizza Brewing in Lake Nona for a mouth-watering lunch and some cold ones. This spacious pizzeria and brewery welcomes the whole family with plenty of indoor and patio seating. The menu offers appetizers such as wings or dough poppers, or a big, soft, salty pretzel. You can get classic pizza or something with a little extra flavor, or even build your own! They have beer styles from lagers to stouts and everything is brewed in house (unless specified that it is a guest tap). Park Pizza even has the beer in cans, so you can take some home with you.
Related: A Culinary Map of Lake Nona
Highlights: Beer garden, food Location: Winter Park
The Ravenous Pig is a popular restaurant in downtown Winter Park, but did you know they have a gorgeous beer garden out back?
They do! The Ravenous Pig Brewing Co. has the brewing facility behind the restaurant and the garden and there’s also a separate menu. Oysters, juicy pub burgers, hot and crispy chicken sandwiches will undoubtedly have you dying for more.
The tap list here has a great variety of classic styles and they also create small-batches with eccentric flavors.
The garden has games and you’ll often find families enjoying their time outdoors on the weekends as you drive by. Next time you’re in the area, make sure you stop in and check it out!
Highlights: food on-site, beer garden Location: Winter Garden
Crooked Can Brewing is a must-visit stop you need to add to your list! Crooked Can is a well-known brewery in Central Florida and you can find their beer distributed throughout the state. Nothing compares to drinking in the taproom in Orlando, though! It’s a great kid-friendly spot with a gorgeous beer garden and patio. Families line the outside area on the weekends to hang out in this picturesque downtown area of Winter Garden. There is so much room to play and hang out, you could truly spend a whole day here!
Located inside this rustic, red brick building, you’ll find Plant Street Market with the brewery at the very end. The market offers food from pizza to fresh, pressed juices with additional shops.
Take some goodies (and beers) home with you to capture the memories of a fun day out with the family!
Highlights: Arcade games, food, beer garden, patio seating Location: Longwood, Hourglass District/Orlando
Hourglass Brewing is one of the original breweries of Orlando and they have two locations: their main brewery in North Orlando in Longwood, and a taproom in the Hourglass District off of Curry Ford Road in Orlando. The brewery in Longwood has arcade games and pinball and sometimes hosts kid-friendly events during the holidays. They hold art shows monthly and have occasional market days where local artists and creatives gather to showcase their hand-made goods.
Hourglass Brewing has an impressive list of 40 taps in Longwood and 42 at the Hourglass District taproom! With such an array of beer styles, there’s something for every kind of palate.
The brewhouse in Longwood sits next to Wako Taco, a Tex-Mex spot with tacos, nachos, and more. Papa Bee’s is just one more door down the plaza and they are well known for their specialty: chicken wings. Both restaurants pair perfectly with all of the unique flavors of Hourglass’ award-winning craft beer.
Over in the Hourglass District, they have a pretty patio just outside of the taproom and they also have food trucks that pop-up weekly. Follow their social media to stay up-to-date on the latest information for food. The taproom is also walking distance to various restaurants, so you won’t go hungry!
Both locations offer several cans of craft beer to take home. After a few sips of these brews, you’ll definitely want to go back soon!
Related: A Beer Lover's Guide to Breweries in Orlando
Highlights: beer garden, games, food, patio seating Location: Sanford/North Orlando
Dees Brothers Brewing has good beer, good food, and good vibes! Here in North Orlando located within Downtown Historic Sanford, this brewery welcomes families and people with open arms. Upon walking into their open taproom, you’ll see that they have a small patio outside for the pups and kiddos, large picnic-style benches to spread out, and an additional beer garden right outside!
Their food menu offers classic, savory soups, salads, and sandwiches and they even have a small menu list for kids.
Get some extra cheesy grilled cheese sandwiches or sink your teeth into a roast beef sandwich on artisan bread. The kids menu has crowd-pleasing options like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hotdogs, or a good ol’ fashioned grilled cheese. They also offer vegan cheese options if you have special food needs or want to go dairy-free.
Dees Brothers has a few arcade games and other classic bar games (like Jenga) and often has live music playing. Take your family to this down-to-earth brewery and you’re guaranteed to have a great time!
Want a full dining experience? Check out these Kid-Friendly Orlando Restaurants with Playgrounds + Play Spaces.
Whether you visit the Disney theme parks often or you're showing family around town while they visit, there are a number of new breweries opening nearby. The Disney area is home to a few kid-friendly breweries.
Highlights: Close to Disney, beer garden, food on-site, dog-friendly Location: Celebration/South Orlando
Celebration Brewing is not open just yet, but this will be the closest brewery to Disney and all of the parks! Celebration Brewing will be an impressive brew house complete with a large beer garden and kitchen. They will have everything for the family: food, fun, room to roam, and most importantly–beer for the adults! Follow their social media to find out when they’ll be opening up for your next trip towards Disney or the Orlando area. The owners are looking to open their doors sometime in the fall of 2022.
Highlights: beer garden, games, food, patio seating Location: DeLand, Lake Eola, Flamingo Crossings
Sip on some flights and pints while spending time with the family at Persimmon Hollow Brewing. There are multiple locations around the Greater Orlando area and the newest one happens to be close to Disney. Each Persimmon Hollow location has food, outdoor seating, and a welcoming atmosphere for the family.
Highlights: patio seating, coffee, food Location: Horizon West
Where’s your home state? Here, it’s in Orlando! Home State Brewing Co is one of the newest breweries on the scene with outdoor seating, coffee, and food (coming soon–the kitchen is not open just yet). Take the family here to drink some good brews. The interior is modern and welcoming with some lovely artful touches.
Overall, if you are a local or just stopping in, you’ll definitely want to visit some of these kid friendly breweries in the Orlando area. You’ll love the atmospheres and beers and get the wheels in your head turning to plan your next night out for a pint, with or without the kids. Cheers!
If you enjoyed these kid-friendly ideas get ready for OrlandoParenting.com – launching soon!
(Featured image is of Dees Brothers Brewery in Sanford, credit Dani Meyering)