What makes a brewery family-friendly? How do you know if a beer garden allows kids? Is ‘mac & cheese’ a kids’ food or adult food? Well, look no further because we have the DMV’s definitive guide to family-friendly breweries & beer gardens. Every brewhouse, lawn, and restaurant below welcomes families of all ages with open arms (some even the family dog!). If the location features something a little extra for the family, we’ll let you know that, too.
Oh, for what it’s worth, we have no idea if ‘mac & cheese’ is kids’ food or adult food. The jury’s still out on that one…
D.C.
3 Stars Brewing Company
With over 200 specialty brews on tap, 3 Stars Brewing Company has something cold and frothy for everyone. It’s also the only DC brewery with a homebrew shop if you’re into making your own specialty brews. A self-proclaimed family-friendly brewery (that allows dogs on their outdoor patio as well!) 3 Stars hosts rotating food trucks and vendors that pair delicious eats with your beer.
What to try: Ghost White IPA, 3-percent-alcohol Sours
6400 Chillum Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20012 |
(202) 847-3755
Atlas Brew Works
We love Atlast Brew Works because of its 20-barrel batches of truly artisanal craft beer and because its facility is 100% powered by solar energy. Their spacious taproom is open daily with 16 beers on tap for you to sample, a family-friendly atmosphere, and a dog-friendly outdoor patio. They also host genre trivia nights most months!
What to try: District Common, Blood Orange Gose
Half Street: 1201 Half Sreet SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 |
(202) 525-2001
Ivy City: 2052 West Virginia Ave.NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 |
(202) 832-0420
Bluejacket
Bluejacket’s brick-and-glass building (at one time home to a ship parts factory) has elevated what it means to be a brewery in the district. It’s a huge space, combining a brewhouse, restaurant, and bottle shop, boasting 20 beers on tap as well as cask brews. Bring the family before your next Nats game!
What to try: Lesson in Love, Smile in Disguise
300 Tingey Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 |
(202) 524-4862
DC Brau Brewing Company
Taste a pint of history at DC Brau Brewing Company, the first brewery to operate within the District since 1956 (after Heurich Brewery closed). The brewery is open daily and often features outdoor events with music and games, making it an especially family-friendly brewery. However, the best time to grab a brew would be on Fridays when pints are half-off. Cheers!
What to try: The Corruption, The Imperial
3178-B Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20018 |
(202) 621-8890
The Midlands Beer Garden
The Midlands Beer Garden & Sports Bar boasts over 6000 square feet of draft and bottled-beer enjoyment from North America and Europe. A self-proclaimed family-friendly brewery that allows dogs in their garden, Midlands offers your favorite casual fare including giant pretzels, sandwiches, shareable nachos, as well as vegetarian options. Staff usually have coloring books or crayons on hand when the kids tired themselves out on cornhole and pool. Oh, and they have a LOT of TVs!
What to try: Fifth Anniversary, Oberon Ale
3333 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20010
Hellbender Brewing Company
This is (almost certainly) the only brewery on our list named after an endangered species of salamander. Hellbender Brewing Company was also the first brewery on the east coast to invest in a masher, allowing for a quicker brewing process that even uses less water. Hellbender ranks as one of the most family-friendly breweries on our list due to their selection of board games available. Before you head over, check out the 10-minute documentary on the Hellbender salamander on their website.
What to try: Bare Bones, Ignite
5788 2nd Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20011 |
202-827-8768
Dacha Beer Garden
Dacha Beer Garden is likely the most family-friendly beer garden in D.C., just check out #KidsofDacha if you don’t believe us. They have two locations now, Shaw and Navy Yard, and boast a Kids Menu at both. Of course, they have plenty of beer, with a focus on German, Belgian and American craft brews. Dogs are also welcome!
What to try: Dolly, Kosmonaut
Shaw: 1600 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 |
(202) 350-9888
Navy Yard: 79 Potomac Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 |
(202) 919-3801
Wunder Garten
Walk through Germany at Wunder Garden’s authentic Biergarten, open year-round. You can find a number of delicious craft beers, wines, and liquors across their large tented Bier Pavilion, cabanas, and a Marquee tent. They also provide lawn games, board games, and live entertainment to make Wunder Garten a truly family-friendly beer garden.
What to try: Eggenberg, Franziskaner
1101 First Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Biergarten Haus
Biergarten Haus oozes with old-world charm, bringing a little slice of Bavaria to Washington. They have your favorite European and local brews as well as an assortment of classic German cuisine. Did you know that Spatzle mit Ziegenkaese is basically Mac & Cheese? Kids will also love the surprise polka band performances.
What to try: Delirium Tremens, Biergarten Haus Pilsner
1355 H Street. NE, H Street Corridor, Washington, D.C. 20002 |
(202) 388-4053
Garden District
Come for the beer and stay for the brews! Garden District is a hidden gem with rows and rows of authentic Biergarten tables and their own kitchen, serving up smoked and grilled sandwiches and battered and fried sides. While you knock back a cold one, the kids can enjoy a Coca-Cola Classic with real sugar or a Boylan’s orange cream soda.
What to try: Köstritzer Black Lager, Down East Cider
Cardozo, 1801 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009 |
(202) 695-2626
Right Proper Brewing Company
With two locations, Right Proper Brewing Company offers double the beer menu. Many of their beers are historically inspired, including a foeder beer aged in wine casks. The Brewpub in Shaw has indoor and outdoor dining and a dog-friendly patio, while the Brookland location also has outdoor seating (and supposedly a piano in one of their bathrooms). Brookland is also one block from the Metropolitan Branch bike trail so feel free to ride on over!
What to try: Raised by Wolves, Senate Beer
Brookland: 920 Girard Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20017 |
(202) 526-5904
Shaw: 624 T Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 |
(202) 607-2337
Maryland
7 Locks Brewing
Though they’re open daily, 7 Locks Brewing really comes alive on the weekends; live music on Saturdays, growler hours, food trucks, lawn games, and more. This family-friendly brewery operates entirely indoors and even gives back to local Maryland charities during select events.
What to try: Surrender Ryepa, Paint Branch Pilsner
12227 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852 |
(301) 841-7123
The Brookeville Beer Farm
The Brookeville Beer Farm is blending the best of farming with the best of brewing in this small-town setting. This is exactly the kind of family-friendly place you want to visit on a gorgeous summer day, blanket in one arm, a cold beer in the other. Check out their calendar for upcoming live music and visiting food trucks!
What to try: Natural Bract, Corny Uncle
20315 A Georgia Ave. Brookeville, MD 20833 |
(301) 260-1000
Dog Haus Biergarten
Though they aren’t from around here, West-coast-based chain Dog Haus has several Biergarten locations in Montgomery County, serving up “craft-casual” gourmet hot dogs, sausages, and burgers, as well as shakes and soft-serve ice cream. The environment is super laidback, perfect for a family-friendly dinner or lunch, and the beer is always cold and fresh. Kids will love the tater tots and root beer battered corndogs!
What to try: Honolulu Hot Chicken, T-Mex
Bethesda: 7904 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814 |
(301) 652-4287
Kentlands: 644 Center Point Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 |
(240) 690-6090
Silver Spring: 933 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
(240) 450-7000
Denizens Brewing Co.
Family-owned Denizens Brewing Co. was the first production brewery in Montgomery County, now serving locals at their Silver Spring and Riverdale Park operations. Expect to find a variety of craft beers, including ciders, seltzers, and cocktails, plus your favorite comfort foods like pretzel bread and chicken wings. There is seating both indoors and outdoors, so don’t forget the dog at home. They earn bonus family-friendly brewery points for the changing tables in the bathrooms.
What to try: Southside IPA, Born Bohemian Pils
Riverdale Park: 4550 Van Buren St, Riverdale Park, MD 20737 |
(240) 582-6817
Silver Spring: 1115 E W Hwy. Silver Spring, MD 20910 |
(301) 557-9818
Franklins Brewery
Welcome to funky & fresh Franklins: the very first microbrewery in Prince George’s County and the only “combination restaurant, brewery, and toy store in the world.” Wow! Franklins pride themselves on using local ingredients whenever possible, serving up avantgarde-style comfort food every day. Brewmaster Mike Roy’s crafts are just as innovative, like his Rubber Chicken Red Amber or Cherry Picker Sour, both award-winning brews.
What to try: Bombshell Blonde, Private I.P.A.
5123 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20710 |
(301) 927-2740
Jailbreak Brewing Company
Jailbreak Brewing Company offers temporary “escapes” from reality with twenty beers and slushies on tap. Kids are welcome everywhere but the U-shaped bar prior to 7 PM and dogs are welcome to join you out in the biergarten. A few years ago, Jailbreak expanded their open-plan brewery with high-quality eats from FoodWorks. Kids will love the traditional chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches and you’ll love the boozy ones!
What to try: Feed The Monkey, Clearly Righteous
9445 Washington Blvd N, STE F, Laurel, MD 20723 |
(443) 345-9699
Manor Hill Brewing
Sip your beer in the great outdoors at Manor Hill Brewing’s 54-acre working farm brewery, the largest of its kind in Maryland. Visitors are welcome to bring their families, chairs, and pop-up tents Friday through Sunday and enjoy over two dozen specialty brews on draught and by can. House rules ask that parents supervise their kids at all times, especially when visiting the chickens, pygmy goats, and more than 20 free-range cattle that live on the farm.
What to try: Barn Cat’s Meow, Farm Fuzz
4411 Manor Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21042 |
(410) 997-7771
Peabody Heights Brewery
Welcome to Baltimore City’s largest brewery and possibly its most family-friendly. Located in the Abell neighborhood, once home to the historic Terrapin Park, Peabody Heights Brewery draws in big crowds due to its industrial-style tasting room and outdoor seating. But what really makes this brewery a family favorite is the dedicated kids’ play space, inclusive of bookshelves filled with children’s books, a train table, and other toys. Ask the team about hosting a parent-friendly children’s birthday party at the brewery!
What to try: Magnetic North, Mango Astrodon
401 East 30th St., Baltimore, MD 21218 |
(410) 467-7837
Waredaca Brewing Company
This working horse farm/brewery, located on the former site of the Washington Recreation Day Camp (psst, it’s in the name ‘Wa-Re-Da-Ca’), harnesses the beauty of nature in every pint. Some of the family-friendly activities to try include picnicking on the lake, walking the surrounding trails, listening to acoustic music on Saturday nights, and trail rides in the fall. Waredaca asks that you reserve a table or pair of Adirondack chairs ahead of your visit.
What to try: Hunter Amber Ale, Waredaca Premium Lager
4017 Damascus Rd., Laytonsville, MD 20882 |
(301) 774-2337
Virginia
Audacious Aleworks Brewery & Taproom
According to the Audacious Aleworks website, they “love kids of all ages!” This small craft brewery features small-batch ales with around 15 beers on their tap rotation. They have indoor and outdoor seating, welcome dogs outdoors, and there are plenty of family-friendly board games for the kids to play with. If you’re hungry, have a custom sandwich made at their in-house kitchen or bring in your own food!
What to try: Holy Hand Grenade Barleywine, Summer Wheatley Hefeweizen
110 East Fairfax Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 |
(571) 303-0177
Caboose Brewing Co.
All-day food and a massive selection of beers and coffee drinks mean Caboose Brewing Company is the perfect family-friendly gathering place at any time. There are indoor and outdoor spaces (great for the dogs!), a kids menu with ‘mac & cheese,’ and up to a dozen rotating beers, wines, and cider on tap. Both of their locations are convenient to reach and were designed for beer-lovers to enjoy their brew with the family. Please note that Caboose Brewing operates 100% cashless.
What to try: Vienna VA Lager, Clurichaun Nitro Dry Irish Stout
Caboose Tavern: 520 Mill Street NE, Vienna, VA 22180 |
(703) 865-8580
Caboose Commons: 2918 Eskridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22031 |
703-663-8833
Continental Beer Garden & Pool Lounge
Originally just a pool lunge, Continental Beer Garden has splashed into the beer garden scene as an exceptionally family-friendly beer garden. With picnic tables, bocce ball sets, and pretty lights strung up all around, it’s no wonder you’ll find dozens of kids strapped to their dad’s chests or hanging on mom’s hip. There’s even some classic kid comfort food available like veggies and hummus or pigs in a blanket.
What to try: Hardywood Great Return American IPA, Golden Road Mango Cart Wheat Ale
1911 Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209 |
(703) 317-7443
The Farm Brewery at Broad Run
The Farm Brewery at Broad Run has everything you could want for a blissful family-friendly day outdoors; six acres of a carefully landscaped beer garden, an actual playground for the kids to climb on, dogs welcome in all outdoor spaces, and kid-friendly food options like pizza and ‘mac & cheese’ bites. For the kids older than 16 in the family, there’s even axe throwing on site. Of course, they also have a great selection of ales, lagers, wines, and handmade ciders on tap.
What to try: Broad Run Blonde, Summer Tangerine IPA
16015 John Marshall Hwy, Broad Run, VA 20137 |
(703) 753-3548
The Garden
Since its inception in 2018, Del Ray locals have been talking about how family-friendly The Garden is. There are metal dog bowls of water spread out for the canine members of your family and the human kind can spend time in the children’s play area with Little Tikes toys and chalkboards. With 16 beers on tap, including wines and cocktails, plus an impressive food menu with options for kids, we can’t wait to see you at The Garden.
What to try: The Garden Pilsner, Stone Buenaveza Lager
1503 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22301 |
(571) 970-2791
Lost Rhino Brewing Company
Lost Rhino Brewing Company combines old-school cool with west coast attitude. You’ll find plenty of seating outdoors on their shaded picnic tables (where dogs are welcome to hang out), more than 15 beers on tap, and an inviting atmosphere for families to relax while sipping on a cold one. Swing by on select Saturdays for live music and order a shareable plat of Lost Rhino Nachos, a customer favorite.
What to try: My Imaginary Girlfriend, Hit the Lip
21730 Red Rum Drive, Suite 142, Ashburn, VA 20147 |
(571) 291-2083
2 Silos Brewing Co.
2 Silos Brewing Co. is where craft beer and live music converge to form a family-friendly match made in heaven. There’s tons of outdoor space to roam, a playground for the kids, dog-friendly stations spaced outdoors, and of course, loads of tasty beer paired with awesome live music. You couldn’t have a bad time here if you tried!
What to try: Mosaic Goat, Manassas Station
9925 Discovery Blvd, Manassas, VA 20109 |
(703) 420-2264
Tysons Biergarten
Nestled within the heart of McClean is this 8,000-square-foot beer garden serving up some of Germany and Belgium’s finest beers and more. We love this family-friendly beer garden for its dedicated kids’ play area with slides and a fenced-in dog park for your furry friends. Be sure to try one of their authentic sausages and brats while you’re there.
What to try: Shipgarten Haus IPA, Straffe Hendrik Bruges Quadrupel
7581 Colshire Dr, McLean, VA 22102
Westover Beer Garden & Haus
The one-stop shop grocer and beer garden is tucked within the Westover Market in Arlington. Come for the cold beers and leave with your weekend groceries! You’ll find over a dozen varieties of beer on tap, a large food menu, and a colorful and bright beer garden from which to enjoy live music on select evenings. Kids will love the warm atmosphere here and so will you.
What to try: Tidal Fury Imperial Hazy IPA, Peach Tea Blonde
5863 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22205 |
(703) 536-5040
Eavesdrop Brewery
Colorful signs, fairy lights, and floral decorations make you feel you’ve stepped into a beer lover’s paradise over at Eavesdrop Brewery near Manassas. Hidden behind a suburban strip mall, your family will enjoy all the classic beer-garden staples; outdoor areas to run around in, lawn games like cornhole, shaded picnic tables, and even fire pits to roast marshmallows. There are even family-friendly board games available indoors.
What to try: The Drop Hefe, Loft Kolsch
7223 Centreville Rd., Ste. 115, Manassas, VA 20111 |
703-420-8955
Port City Brewing Company
Port City Brewing Company knows exactly what you want when it comes to a family-friendly brewery: old-school arcade cabinets, giant Jenga, cornhole, ladderball and so much more. There are even special beer-themed community events like morning Beer Yoga or Joggers & Lagers, plus live music on the first Sunday of each month. If that wasn’t enough, they invite the DMV’s top foodtrucks to serve up fresh grub.
What to try: Optimal® Wit, Essential Pale Ale®
3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304 |
(703) 797-2739
Dirt Farm Brewing
As you might expect, Dirt Farm Brewing has a strong connection to the land. They’re located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and boast views as exceptional as their beers. Nearby, you can find fruit picking experiences in the summer and pumpkin picking in the fall for a nature-studded family-friendly weekend. On site at the brewery, they provide ample space for kids to run around, plus toys to entertain them while imbibing one of their seasonal creations.
What to try: Red Merl, Just A Bit Outside
18701 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont, VA 20135 |
(540) 554-2337
Adroit Theory Brewing Company
Located in Purcellville, Adroit Theory brews wickedly crafty beer creations under Greg Skotzko’s leadership. Many of their beers are high-alcohol, experimental concoctions that are sure to impress. While there aren’t any kid-focused activities on-site, Adroit Theory encourages families to enjoy one of their boundary-pushing pints on their outdoor patio.
What to try: Illusion of Safety, Still On My Grind
404 Browning Ct., Unit C, Purcellville, Virginia 20132 |
(540) 441-7428
Aslin Beer Company
A growing brewery in the heart of NoVa, Asling Beer Company has recently opened its second location with a third and fourth planned in the near future. The brand new facility in Herndon has rooftop seating and outdoor tents, while the main production facility in Alexandria features a dynamite food menu to munch on while tasting their diverse library of craft brews. Families are welcome to bring their children before 7pm.
What to try: Old Town Lage, Much Ado
Alexandria: 847 S Pickett St., Alexandria VA 22304 |
(571) 431-7603
Herndon: 767 Elden St., Herndon VA 20170 |
(571) 752-6676
Crooked Run Fermentation
Formerly Crooked Rum Brewery, this staple Leesburg establishment opened a second location in Sterling in 2017. The Sterling facility features a beautiful biergarten and Leesburg boasts a curated outdoor patio space. New beers release at both locations each Friday and dogs are welcomed to join your family on the patios.
What to try: Lasting Pilsner, Storm IPA
Leesburg: 205 Harrison St, Ste 100, Leesburg, VA 20175
Sterling: 22455 Davis Dr, Sterling, VA 20164
Fair Winds Brewing Company
Fair Winds Brewing Company is a nautical-themed, dog-friendly operation specializing in high-quality IPAs. They feature an outdoor patio at their 13,000-square-foot facility and a rotating lineup of food trucks on site. Check their website for upcoming happy hours and trivia nights!
What to try: Quayside Kölsch, Sessions in the Abyss
7000 Newington Road, Suites K&L, Lorton, VA 22079 |
(703) 372-2001
MacDowell’s
The self-proclaimed “Key West of Leesburg,” MacDowell’s has cultivated a family-friendly vacation-like experience replete with sand, outdoor seating, tropical trees, and live music. Order a plate of seafood and sip on a cold beer and before long you may actually forget you’re in Leesburg.
What to try: Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy
202 B Harrison Street, SE, Leesburg, Virginia 20175 |
(703) 777-2739
Ocelot Brewing Company
Kids and dogs are welcomed with open arms at Ocelot Brewing Company’s family-friendly brewery. This small craft brewery creates many different styles of IPAs, lagers, mixed fermentation, and barrel-aged beers on a weekly rotating menu. Enjoy what’s on tap or take their cans home to enjoy because they only brew the same beer twice a year.
What to try: Walking Through Windows, Signal from Noise
Ocelot Brewing Company, 23600 Overland Drive #180, Dulles, VA 20166 |
(703) 665-2146
Old Bust Head Brewing Company
If an environmentally-conscious brewery drives your search for the perfect pint, check out Old Bust Head Brewing Company in Vint Hill. They source over 50% of their power needs from solar energy and use 500’ deep geothermal wells to efficiently heat and cool their taproom and offices. They also host TONS of awesome family-friendly events like live music, board game socials, bingo nights, and even a petting zoo!
What to try: Bust Head, Caramel Macchiato
7134 Farm Station Road, Vint Hill, Virginia 20187 |
(540) 347-4777
Old Ox Brewery
Old Ox Brewery offers over 30 beers between their family-owned Ashburn and Middleburg locations. There’s no in-house kitchen, instead, they invite a rotating line-up of local food trucks to provide those much-needed munchies after knocking back a few craft pints. Check out their upcoming events like trivia and open mic night!
What to try: Golden Ox, Black Ox
Ashburn: 44652 Guilford Drive, Unit 114, Ashburn, VA 20147 |
(703) 729-8375
Middleburg: 14 S Madison St, Middleburg, Virginia 20117 |
(540) 326-8943
Solace Brewing Company
With three locations across Northern Virginia and D.C., Solace Brewing Company is as convenient as they are tasty. Each branch has a slightly altered tap list and its own rotation of delicious food trucks over the weekend. They also host an assortment of fun events from live music, to trivia, to dance parties. Kids and dogs are welcome, the latter in outdoor spaces only, but must be accompanied by an of-age adult at all times.
What to try: Seeing Stars, Cheat Day
Falls Church: 444 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046 |
(571) 378-1469
Navy Yard: 71 Potomac Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003 |
(202) 652-1528
Sterling: 42615 Trade West Drive, Suite 100, Dulles, Virginia 20166 |
(703) 345-5630
Vanish Farmwoods Brewery
Jonathan Staples’s 63-acre, family-owned farm-brewery includes a hop farm, processing facility, and a large production brewery and tasting space. Try one of their 20 beers on tap while taking in the gorgeous surrounding vistas. There’s also great food available, including on-site BBQ cooked up on weekends. For the kids, they have family-friendly activities like bingo, trivia, outdoor games, live music, and even a Kids Night! Dogs are also welcome in their Dogtown room, pavilion, and field area.
What to try: Farmhouse Table Beer, La Hacienda
42245 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg, VA 20176 |
(703) 779-7407
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