Kid-friendly Detroit spots where parents can get a damn drink

By on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 6:36 pm

Life is all about balance. When it comes to family, sometimes it's hard to balance things the kids want to do with things you might want to do. All of these places are not only places the kids would love (without the lyrical stylings of Cocomelon), they all have bars for you to love.

You're welcome.

Scroll down to view images
Beacon Park 1901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-566-8250; empoweringmichigan.com/beacon-park?? Beacon Park is an active park — often you can find fitness classes, volleyball games, or enjoy the park in the moonlight at the night market. While the kids might enjoy the park’s Family Fun Day, you can grab a drink at nearby Lumen Detroit, which has an outdoor patio and rooftop. Photo courtesy of Instagram, BeaconPark

Beacon Park

1901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-566-8250; empoweringmichigan.com/beacon-park??

Beacon Park is an active park — often you can find fitness classes, volleyball games, or enjoy the park in the moonlight at the night market. While the kids might enjoy the park’s Family Fun Day, you can grab a drink at nearby Lumen Detroit, which has an outdoor patio and rooftop.

Photo courtesy of Instagram, BeaconPark
1 of 18
Dequindre Cut 1776 Woodbridge St., Detroit; detroitriverfront.org/riverfront/dequindre-cut We’ve talked often about biking through the Dequindre Cut, but what about drinking there? If you and your family need a break from your two-wheeled cruise, pop by the Dequindre Cut Freight yard and enjoy a libation (or two). Photo courtesy of DetroitStockCity.com/Hannah Ervin

Dequindre Cut

1776 Woodbridge St., Detroit; detroitriverfront.org/riverfront/dequindre-cut

We’ve talked often about biking through the Dequindre Cut, but what about drinking there? If you and your family need a break from your two-wheeled cruise, pop by the Dequindre Cut Freight yard and enjoy a libation (or two).

Photo courtesy of DetroitStockCity.com/Hannah Ervin
2 of 18
Eastern Market easternmarket.org The Eastern Market is one of those places you should go to without plans. Yes, you can find some of the freshest produce and flowers here, but the food and drink options are plenty. After a long day of exploring the arts, shops and market with the kids, maybe grab something from Detroit City Distillery. Photo courtesy of DetroitStockCity.com/Hannah Ervin

Eastern Market

easternmarket.org

The Eastern Market is one of those places you should go to without plans. Yes, you can find some of the freshest produce and flowers here, but the food and drink options are plenty. After a long day of exploring the arts, shops and market with the kids, maybe grab something from Detroit City Distillery.

Photo courtesy of DetroitStockCity.com/Hannah Ervin
3 of 18
Fowling Warehouse 3901 Christopher St, Hamtramck; 313-264-1288; fowlingwarehouse.com Fowling is probably the most Midwest sport to ever come out of the Midwest. It combines football and bowling into one fun time that even your kids can enjoy (before 8 p.m.; it’s 21 and up after). The Fowling Warehouse in Hamtramck has three bars and a 175-seat beer garden. Photo courtesy of Fowling Warehouse / Facebook

Fowling Warehouse

3901 Christopher St, Hamtramck; 313-264-1288; fowlingwarehouse.com

Fowling is probably the most Midwest sport to ever come out of the Midwest. It combines football and bowling into one fun time that even your kids can enjoy (before 8 p.m.; it’s 21 and up after). The Fowling Warehouse in Hamtramck has three bars and a 175-seat beer garden.

Photo courtesy of Fowling Warehouse / Facebook
4 of 18
Greenfield Village 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-962-4000; thehenryford.org/visit/greenfield-village Take a step back in time and enjoy the buggy rides and booze from the past. This open-air history museum offers a variety of activities for all age groups — and select restaurants to grab a drink or two throughout the day. Photo courtesy of The Henry Ford

Greenfield Village

20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-962-4000; thehenryford.org/visit/greenfield-village

Take a step back in time and enjoy the buggy rides and booze from the past. This open-air history museum offers a variety of activities for all age groups — and select restaurants to grab a drink or two throughout the day.

Photo courtesy of The Henry Ford
5 of 18
Blake’s Orchard and Cider 17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada; 586-784-5343; blakefarms.com Between self-pick fruits, kid funlands, and festivals, you’ll need to find time to squeeze in a stop at Blake’s tasting room. Tasting options include draft ciders and Michigan beers to accompany your escape from the heat. The tasting room also has kid-friendly food options to choose from. Photo courtesy of Blake’s Farms/Facebook

Blake’s Orchard and Cider

17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada; 586-784-5343; blakefarms.com

Between self-pick fruits, kid funlands, and festivals, you’ll need to find time to squeeze in a stop at Blake’s tasting room. Tasting options include draft ciders and Michigan beers to accompany your escape from the heat. The tasting room also has kid-friendly food options to choose from.

Photo courtesy of Blake’s Farms/Facebook
6 of 18
Detroit Zoo 8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-541-5717; detroitzoo.org Treat yourself and the kids to a summer safari. American Coney Island on the zoo’s premises, where you can enjoy a coney dog and a Michigan beer in the shade as a break from the animals and the kids. Photo courtesy of facebook.com/detroitzoo

Detroit Zoo

8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-541-5717; detroitzoo.org

Treat yourself and the kids to a summer safari. American Coney Island on the zoo’s premises, where you can enjoy a coney dog and a Michigan beer in the shade as a break from the animals and the kids.

Photo courtesy of 7 of 18
Garden Bowl 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com/bowling Spend a night at Detroit’s historic bowling alley and lounge, which includes a full service bar and Sgt. Pepperoni’s pizza. With plenty of events planned for the summer, this is a must-do for Detroiters. Photo courtesy of Garden Bowl/Facebook

Garden Bowl

4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com/bowling

Spend a night at Detroit’s historic bowling alley and lounge, which includes a full service bar and Sgt. Pepperoni’s pizza. With plenty of events planned for the summer, this is a must-do for Detroiters.

Photo courtesy of Garden Bowl/Facebook
8 of 18
Campus Martius 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-566-8250; downtowndetroitparks.com There are two things kids love: movies and parks. So why not combine the two? Campus Martius is already a busy and thriving area, but all summer the Downtown park plays movies on a big screen — for free. What’s better, The Fountain Detroit is located right in the park and serves a variety of draft cocktails, seltzers, and beer in a can. Feeling fancy? Grab a drink in a souvenir bucket (and maybe let your kid use it as a toy after). Photo courtesy of The Fountain Detroit/Facebook

Campus Martius

800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-566-8250; downtowndetroitparks.com

There are two things kids love: movies and parks. So why not combine the two? Campus Martius is already a busy and thriving area, but all summer the Downtown park plays movies on a big screen — for free. What’s better, The Fountain Detroit is located right in the park and serves a variety of draft cocktails, seltzers, and beer in a can. Feeling fancy? Grab a drink in a souvenir bucket (and maybe let your kid use it as a toy after).

Photo courtesy of The Fountain Detroit/Facebook
9 of 18
Frankenmuth 989-652-6106; frankenmuth.org You can experience a little bit of Germany right in Michigan by making Frankenmuth a destination this summer. Naturally, this means they have plenty of places to find beer, including Frankenmuth Brewery, the oldest brewery in Michigan, and an annual Oktoberfest celebration. Home to the world’s largest Christmas store and a waterpark in the hotel, the kids are sure to stay entertained all day while you celebrate German culture in your own way. Photo courtesy of Frankenmuth Brewery

Frankenmuth

989-652-6106; frankenmuth.org

You can experience a little bit of Germany right in Michigan by making Frankenmuth a destination this summer. Naturally, this means they have plenty of places to find beer, including Frankenmuth Brewery, the oldest brewery in Michigan, and an annual Oktoberfest celebration. Home to the world’s largest Christmas store and a waterpark in the hotel, the kids are sure to stay entertained all day while you celebrate German culture in your own way.

Photo courtesy of Frankenmuth Brewery
10 of 18
C.J. Barrymore’s 21750 Hall Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-469-2800; cjbarrymores.com With more than 20 different attractions and rides, C.J. Barrymore’s is the perfect place for a hot summer day to enjoy anything from rock climbing to roller coasters. To end your day, or start it, CJ’s bar offers a variety of spirits for your drinking needs. Photo courtesy of Google Maps

C.J. Barrymore’s

21750 Hall Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-469-2800; cjbarrymores.com

With more than 20 different attractions and rides, C.J. Barrymore’s is the perfect place for a hot summer day to enjoy anything from rock climbing to roller coasters. To end your day, or start it, CJ’s bar offers a variety of spirits for your drinking needs.

Photo courtesy of Google Maps
11 of 18
El Club 4114 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-279-7382; elclubdetroit.com Concert lineups are returning and the sound of live music will ring loudly through our eardrums again. El Club is an all-ages venue that not only serves some really good pizza, but the drinks aren’t too bad either. Photo courtesy of Facebook

El Club

4114 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-279-7382; elclubdetroit.com Concert lineups are returning and the sound of live music will ring loudly through our eardrums again. El Club is an all-ages venue that not only serves some really good pizza, but the drinks aren’t too bad either.

Photo courtesy of 12 of 18
Soaring Eagle Waterpark 5665 E. Pickard Rd., Mount Pleasant; 989-817-4800; soaringeaglewaterpark.com This waterpark is the perfect place to add a stop on a vacation. Attached to a RV park, hotel, and casino, Soaring Eagle water park has endless opportunities for the kids, and the kids at heart. A full service bar that offers room service is available at the park restaurant. And don’t worry, we promise you’ll burn off those couple of drinks chasing your kids around the park. Photo courtesy of Facebook

Soaring Eagle Waterpark

5665 E. Pickard Rd., Mount Pleasant; 989-817-4800; soaringeaglewaterpark.com

This waterpark is the perfect place to add a stop on a vacation. Attached to a RV park, hotel, and casino, Soaring Eagle water park has endless opportunities for the kids, and the kids at heart. A full service bar that offers room service is available at the park restaurant. And don’t worry, we promise you’ll burn off those couple of drinks chasing your kids around the park.

Photo courtesy of Facebook
13 of 18
Rainforest Cafe 4310 Baldwin Rd., Auburn Hills; 248-333-0280; rainforestcafe.com Part of the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets mall, Rainforest Cafe is accompanied by Legoland and SeaLife aquarium for a day with some variety for the kids. While Rainforest Cafe may only be one of the many attractions in the area, it is the only place close where you can get a drink —don’t worry, we checked. Photo courtesy of Facebook

Rainforest Cafe

4310 Baldwin Rd., Auburn Hills; 248-333-0280; rainforestcafe.com

Part of the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets mall, Rainforest Cafe is accompanied by Legoland and SeaLife aquarium for a day with some variety for the kids. While Rainforest Cafe may only be one of the many attractions in the area, it is the only place close where you can get a drink —don’t worry, we checked.

Photo courtesy of 14 of 18
Michigan’s Adventure 4750 Whitehall Rd., Muskegon; 231-766-3377; miadventure.com For those who never stopped being kids, Michigan’s Adventure is a great place to enjoy the state's largest theme and water park. After a day of rides and slides, relax at the lakeside beer garden after a meal at one of the many dining options available. Photo courtesy of Facebook

Michigan’s Adventure

4750 Whitehall Rd., Muskegon; 231-766-3377; miadventure.com

For those who never stopped being kids, Michigan’s Adventure is a great place to enjoy the state's largest theme and water park. After a day of rides and slides, relax at the lakeside beer garden after a meal at one of the many dining options available.

Photo courtesy of 15 of 18
Great Wolf Lodge 35753 N. US 31 S., Traverse City; greatwolf.com Great Wolf Lodge is a kids dream vacation, but you’ll have time to enjoy it with drinks by the bar each night at dinner. The resort-esque building holds a series of adventures that will send your kids, and probably yourself, running around the hotel, but don’t worry, there’s a hot tub for when you’re feeling those stairs the next day. Photo courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge

35753 N. US 31 S., Traverse City; greatwolf.com

Great Wolf Lodge is a kids dream vacation, but you’ll have time to enjoy it with drinks by the bar each night at dinner. The resort-esque building holds a series of adventures that will send your kids, and probably yourself, running around the hotel, but don’t worry, there’s a hot tub for when you’re feeling those stairs the next day.

Photo courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge
16 of 18
Michigan Renaissance Festival 12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly; 248-634-5552; michrenfest.com Enjoy a throwback to the ages where the beer came by the keg. Michigan Renaissance fair is a great place to enjoy all the activities, learn a bit of history, and indulge in a plethora of old-time food and drinks. Photo courtesy of Instagram

Michigan Renaissance Festival

12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly; 248-634-5552; michrenfest.com

Enjoy a throwback to the ages where the beer came by the keg. Michigan Renaissance fair is a great place to enjoy all the activities, learn a bit of history, and indulge in a plethora of old-time food and drinks.

Photo courtesy of 17 of 18
Frederick Meijer Sculpture Garden 1000 E. Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids; 616-957-1580; meijergardens.org Meijer Garden is the perfect place to spend a day watching the kids run around, with an indoor botanical garden and massive sculpture gardens. You can stop by the James & Shirkey Balk Café for drinks, with a menu that includes wine and Michigan craft beer. Photo courtesy of Facebook

Frederick Meijer Sculpture Garden

1000 E. Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids; 616-957-1580; meijergardens.org

Meijer Garden is the perfect place to spend a day watching the kids run around, with an indoor botanical garden and massive sculpture gardens. You can stop by the James & Shirkey Balk Café for drinks, with a menu that includes wine and Michigan craft beer.

Photo courtesy of 18 of 18
Arts & Culture

Pop culture fans packed Livonia’s Burton Manor for Astronomicon 7

Hundreds of horror, wrestling, and pop culture fans attended Astronomicon at Burton Manor in Livonia this past weekend, hosted by Detroit rap…

By Josh Justice

Pop culture fans packed Livonia's Burton Manor for Astronomicon 7
94 slides
Arts & Culture

A first look at ‘Little Village’ arts hub in Detroit’s East Village neighborhood

Detroit’s East Village neighborhood is undergoing a transformation with the implementation of “Little Village” — a hub of arts and culture featuring…

By Layla McMurtrie

‘It Takes A Village’ Skate Park Beside The Shepherd and the sculpture park is a skate park designed by Tony Hawk and McArthur Binion. It was one of the first completed installations of Little Village, so it is the piece that has gotten the most use so far.
17 slides
Arts & Culture

The best social media reactions to Detroit’s new ‘Hollywood’ sign

The city of Detroit wants to look fancy for the upcoming NFL Draft — but is this it? Earlier this year, officials…

By Layla McMurtrie

The best social media reactions to Detroit’s new ‘Hollywood’ sign
29 slides
Arts & Culture

20 things to do in Detroit this weekend (April 12-14)

All you could think of is happening this weekend in Detroit, from spiritual markets to workshops to speed dating to usual art…

By Layla McMurtrie

The Lesbian Social: Aries Edition When: April 12 from 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Where: The Godfrey Hotel (Detroit) What: A dance party and celebration Who: Mainly local queer women Why: Along with Lesbian Social’s new monthly event, this one is a special birthday celebration for host Domo the Princess.
20 slides
More »

‘New Name. New Era’: Michigan Theater Foundation reintroduces itself as Marquee Arts

By Layla McMurtrie

The organization that runs Ann Arbor’s Michigan Theater and State Theatre has renamed itself Marquee Arts.

Two Ypsilanti-based women open accessible space for local artists to grow and connect

By Layla McMurtrie

Two Ypsilanti-based women open accessible space for local artists to grow and connect

Ivan Montoya ponders how the past informs the present in ‘Sonde{a}r’

By Randiah Camille Green

Ivan Montoya.

All material © 2024 Detroit Metro Times, Ferndale, MI. All rights reserved.

Powered By Foundation
Subscribe