Family-Friendly Craft Breweries on the Gulp Coast
Discover some of the best craft breweries in St. Pete/Clearwater that put out a welcome mat for families.
At Bayboro Brewing in St. Pete, families enjoy hanging out in the beer garden.
After spending a morning exploring St. Pete/Clearwater with kids (this sunny destination is packed with fun family activities) parents might want to enjoy a cold craft brew or two. But what to do with the youngsters?
Parents don’t have to choose between hanging out with the kids and chilling at a local craft brewery.
Fear not! Plenty of craft breweries along the Gulp Coast Craft Beer Trail are happy to welcome you and the kids. Family-friendly games, live music and activities are available at many breweries, and outdoor spaces translate into relaxed family time.
Note that most breweries recommend not bringing kids later at night or during certain special events – give them a call or check their social media – and children must be supervised by an adult for everyone’s enjoyment. And of course, it’s important to drink responsibly and have a designated driver.
Here are some of the kid-friendly craft breweries in St. Pete/Clearwater.
7venth Sun Brewery, Dunedin
Nestled in a snug storefront, woman-owned 7venth Sun Brewery has been known for its small-batch IPAs and barrel-aged beers since it opened in 2012. The cozy taproom is close to plenty of shops and restaurants in charming Dunedin. Well-behaved children are welcome – they might even get a lollipop – and staff members’ kids often drop in to hang out. The outdoor beer garden offers a perfect place for families to chill and have fun.
HOB Brewing Company, Dunedin
Just off the Pinellas Trail, HOB Brewing Company invites families to enjoy their large patio.
HOB Brewing Company started out life in 2009 as a craft beer bar. Eventually, the owners – both long-time homebrewers – began brewing their own beer, and “The HOB” was born. The expansive outdoor patio and recreation area just off the Pinellas Trail makes for a family-friendly spot. Kids can have fun in the large AstroTurf-covered play area while adults enjoy an award-winning Cool Cucumber IPA or other craft brew from one of the 24 taps, or opt for hard cider, wine, seltzer or a canned cocktail.
Crooked Thumb Brewery, Safety Harbor
CEO and co-founder Kip Kelly says Crooked Thumb Brewery, located just two blocks off Main Street in Safety Harbor, has always aimed to be a place where the entire community could gather and socialize. Being a parent himself, he wanted the kids to be safe, have fun – and get a little loud once in a while. To that end, the brewery has a large, family-friendly, fenced-in outdoor space, and there’s a stash of boardgames behind the bar in the tasting room as well as cornhole outside. Live music in the tree-covered beer garden entertains crowds of all ages while adults sip on Shade Tree IPA, 727 Gold Ale or numerous other house-brewed options.
Olde Florida Brewing Company, Largo
The Largo-based Olde Florida Brewing Company has something for everyone – craft beers for grownups to enjoy while sitting at the Florida beach-themed bar top, and Capri Sun beverages, soda and small bags of chips for kids. Children are always welcome: The outdoor seating area with beach chairs gives them a place to play games or read one of the Dr. Seuss books that the brewery provides. Live music puts everyone in a good mood, and kids can even hold their birthday parties there – does it get any more family-friendly than that?
Rapp Brewing Company, Seminole
Kids will find plenty to keep themselves amused while their parents sample brews at Rapp Brewing Company.
The artisans at Rapp Brewing Company in Seminole focus on creativity, brewing a wide variety of beer styles, including some stemming from the founder’s family’s European brewing heritage. While adults enjoy the tasty, history-inspired brews, there's plenty for kids to do, including a variety of boardgames, card games, foosball and table tennis. A rotating schedule of food trucks make sure that bellies young and old are kept full and happy.
3 Daughters Brewing, St. Pete
One of the largest independent breweries in the state, 3 Daughters Brewing serves up everything from their light and refreshing Beach Blonde Ale to limited reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter. Owners Mike and Leigh Harting named it after – you guessed it – their three daughters. This St. Pete craft brewery welcomes everyone with a fun, family-friendly vibe. The menu has food and beverage options for younger palates, and there are lots of games inside and out for kids of all ages. Over-21 events are sometimes held in the warehouse portion, but kids are always welcome on the rest of the property.
Bayboro Brewing, St. Pete
Family-friendly Bayboro Brewing Co. in St. Pete boasts a tap list featuring strawberry blonde ale and a whole lot more.
Taking family-friendly to the next level, veteran-owned Bayboro Brewing in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District will give youngsters kid packs with games and other items for them to enjoy while their parents sample Bayboro’s New England IPA, peanut butter chocolate stout and other house brews. Families have a good time hanging out in the fenced-in beer garden. Typically, the music crowd filters in to enjoy live bands after 8 p.m., so that might be the cue to head back to the hotel or rental and tuck the kids in.
Cage Brewing, St. Pete
At St. Pete's Cage Brewing, families can relax and enjoy indoors and out.
The IPA, porter, blonde ale and other craft brews flowing from 18 taps will draw adults to Cage Brewing's two taprooms in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. And families will feel right at home – kids have plenty to keep them happy, with free pinball machines, old-school videogames, a foosball table, cornhole and a welcoming, covered outside area (check out the space alien-themed murals on the walls).
Green Bench Brewing Co., St. Pete
Green Bench Brewing Co. welcomes families with a large beer garden and periodic movies.
Being a welcoming gathering place for families and friends was a top priority when Green Bench Brewing opened in 2013 as the first true taproom/beer garden experience in downtown St. Pete. Families love this place, located in the EDGE District, especially since they can hang out in the spacious beer garden, where kids won’t have to worry too much about using their inside voices. Movies in the garden and other events are great for families to enjoy together, says co-founder and head brewer Khris Johnson.
Mastry's Brewing Co., St. Pete Beach
At Mastry's Brewing Co. in St. Pete Beach, families can challenge each other on old-style videogames.
The owners of Mastry's Brewing Co. in St. Pete Beach definitely had family-friendly in mind from the beginning. The brewery is near the beach – the biggest sandbox of all – so families can enjoy a morning or afternoon of sun and sand, then stop by the tasting room to find beverages everyone can enjoy. Chill with award-winning craft beer (sample the popular Hefeweizen, Boca Ciega Bay IPA or chocolate coffee porter), hard cider, wine, iced coffee or other non-alcoholic drinks. And while the adults relax, the children can play Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Connect 4, Jenga and assorted boardgames.
About Our Writer
Gerard Walen, a Tampa native, spent a lot of his time as a boy in St. Pete/Clearwater – beach trips with the family, fishing, ball games, concerts – and much later on, exploring the booming craft brewery scene. Gerard graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in mass communications, and worked as a writer/editor at Florida newspapers, including The Tampa Tribune, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Gainesville Sun. Then he discovered craft beer and started blogging and writing about it as a freelancer. In 2014, his book “Florida Breweries” (Stackpole Books) was published. A current resident of Crystal River, he still loves exploring the craft beer world.