We tried to select locations near public transit or walkable from neighborhoods, but we still want to remind you to designate a driver or take a cab or Uber. 

Best Urban Beer Gardens & Breweries in Chicago for Families

Kaiser Tiger — West Town

Although not related to Daniel Tiger, this place offers kids plenty to do while their parents relax. They can try their hand at ping pong, bocce, giant Jenga, or bags year-round. The restaurant offers an extensive beer list and a bacon-driven menu that goes beyond bacon basics: think bacon boards, bacon grenades, and a specialty entree called "The Bomb" (a five-pound stuffed sausage purported to feed 6-8 Vikings).  The patio is large but starts to attract more of an adult crowd after 8pm, so try and time visits before then. This is a cashless restaurant, so don't forget your credit card.

Village Tap — Roscoe Village

This neighborhood watering hole feels a bit like being in someone's backyard. With ivy-covered brick walls and row upon row of picnic tables, you might not expect to find 26 of the best taps from around the world here. And nearly all of the food is kid-friendly, from the hummus plate to quesadillas to mini corn dogs. Shortbread cookies from Chicago pastry chef Mindy Segal (remember Mindy's Hot Chocolate?) are a somewhat new addition to the menu.

A retractable roof and a heating system make the beer garden cozy year-round. Games of bags also sometimes make an appearance toward the back of the patio.

ERIS Cider and Brewery — Old Irving Park

For a break from beer, this cider spot can satisfy a grown-up's sweet tooth with more than just apple cider. Eris has cherry, blueberry, peach, strawberry, and apricot ciders rotating seasonally. 

The kids' menu goes beyond the standard chicken fingers and cheese pizza with items like grilled salmon and petite vegan cauliflower wings. (Yes, you'll snitch bites off their plates. These are super tasty.) The patio's bright furniture and fairy lights are fun for kids and adults will like the widely spaced tables. 

Midwest Coast Brewing — Near West Side

With an extensive patio and monthly visits from local kids' musicians, you'll feel welcome at this classic brewery near the United Center. Midwest Coast Brewing has a limited menu with kids' favorites like crackers, Cheez-Its, chips, and pretzels, or you can bring food. It also hosts food truck pop-ups, paint and sip nights, book clubs, beer yoga, trivia, and live music. One of our favorite parts is the flights; you can sample any five beers for $20. 

The Bungalow by Middle Brow — Logan Square

Middle Brow is a brewery, natural winery, and bakery stocked with goods made with ingredients sourced locally from the Midwest. Visit in the morning for pastries or lunch or later for handmade pizza, along with a nice variety of beers and wines or a handful of cocktails. True to its name, Middle Brow has food and drinks for all tastes. 

Inspect the barrels of brew at Old Irving Brewing Co. 

Old Irving Brewing Co. — Albany Park

More of a beer garage than a beer patio, this high-ceiling brewery with a large garage-door-like window is a great neighborhood spot for those looking for good beer in a family atmosphere. The grown-ups may enjoy three different sizes of beers with a wide selection of IPAs, a few lagers, and some heavier Belgians while kids like the kids' menu that offers fruit as well as fries to go with chicken fingers, buttered noodles, mac and cheese, and burgers.

A cornhole game and numerous TVs also appeal to kids, while its proximity to the Blue Line is nice for getting to and from OIB.

Mrs.  Murphy's Irish Bistro — North Center

The Bistro teamed up with neighboring bar Martyrs to create an outdoor seating area during the pandemic and it has become a neighborhood standby. In addition to the extensive Irish menu, Mrs. Murphy's includes an Irish grocery store that carries fun goodies from over the pond, from Cadbury chocolates to Tayto Crisps to Irish teas.

The patio hosts Irish music in the afternoon and evening hours for a little fun for the whole family. Tables are widely spaced and the bathrooms are large and clean. Mrs. Murphy's also makes a variety of fun-flavored sodas in-house for kids and moms-to-be. (I may have had a few of these while the rest of my friends and husband sampled from the variety of Irish and local taps while I was pregnant.)

Twisted Spoke — River West

This rooftop beer garden overlooks the Loop skyline, giving kids something to admire while they eat. The menu is simple but good, featuring "tall boy" double-decker burgers and Cajun and Tex-Mex favorites. For kids, the popcorn and bacon appetizer (it involves a caramel glaze) is a big winner. Weekly jazz brunches also give families something different to do while enjoying a beverage—including any of the 20 beers on tap that can also be taken to go in 32-ounce growlers.

Gene's Sausage Shop Rooftop — Lincoln Square

Kids can enjoy hot dogs and giant pretzels with a great view of the German neighborhood from high in the sky at this Lincoln Square standby. Garden planters lining the rooftop deck grow the vegetables used at the restaurant. The grocery store downstairs has a great selection of European treats, including a wider variety of Haribo than you'll find outside Germany.

Fuel has a family-friendly patio with cool kid amenities. 

Best Family-Friendly Suburban Beer Gardens & Breweries in Chicago

Elmhurst Brewing Company — Elmhurst

Pre-pandemic, this West Suburban brewery had a play area for kids complete with a toy grill, train table, board games, and more, and we are hoping it'll be back soon! In the meantime, there are bags set up for patio play and board games along with a delicious kids' menu including fruit and fries on the side. It's located close to the Elmhurst Metra Station on the Union Pacific West Line and is part of a family-friendly downtown area.

Two Brothers Roundhouse — Aurora

Do you have a little train lover who wants to see where the trains used to live? You can still see the railroad ties and big archways that engines used to drive through inside the round center courtyard at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora. Take the Metra to the end of the BNSF line and walk to the West Suburban brewery. The kids' menu includes elevated standards with a choice of sides that allows kids to have veggies or fruit instead of fries.

The Roundhouse is huge, with a central gazebo for concerts and grassy areas for lawn seating. Two Brothers also roast its own coffee in this facility, in case you need a pick-me-up. Bathrooms are plentiful and clean, and you can stop by Chicago Premium Outlets for some discount shopping before or after a drink.

Pollyanna Brewing — Lemont, Roselle, and St. Charles

This Southwest Suburban brewery has been quickly expanding from its original Lemont location with fabulous canal views to include two new spots in Roselle and St. Charles. Every location welcomes kids to join in the fun of live music and food trucks (which mostly appear from 5 to 8pm) while grown-ups enjoy a variety of rotating beers. (The raspberry-loaded Summerly and lemon Full Lemonty are outstanding.)

Noon Whistle Brewing Company — Lombard and Naperville

Noon Whistle is named for the whistle signifying the end of the night shift when some workers would drink a light beer before going home. So when this brewery first opened, it specialized in beers under 6% ABV, which was amazing when I was a new mom. The Lombard location has expanded to include a full kitchen and a wall of pinball machines, and a Naperville location has been added with weekly or monthly food truck visits.

The menu at the Lombard location includes pizza, sandwiches (including grilled cheese and PB&J for the kids), and fun apps like a giant pretzel or quesadilla. Beers include the Hop Prism and Gummy IPA series, and fun seasonal flavors like Ecto-Cooler Ale and Samoa Girl Scout Cookie Imperial Stout.

BubbleHouse Brewing — Lisle

This family-owned west suburban brewery has over 100 games in its taproom for kids and families to play together. Bring your own food and sample an array of brews from Isle of Lisle Mexican Lager to Midnight Squirrel Society Imperial Stout. The brewery has hosted leagues for a Canadian dexterity game called Crokinole, an in-house mini golf course, and a LEGO free build night throughout its short three years in business.

Skeleton Key Brewery — Woodridge

Skeleton Key Brewery is back and better than ever after significant damage from a tornado in the summer of 2021. It now has a family room where kids can enjoy snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Skeleton Key is also a great event venue, hosting events like cooking classes, live music, and even a "brewery sleepover" for fun and sometimes to raise funds for charity.

Solemn Oath Brewery — Naperville and Palmer Square

This punk rock brewery has a camp-themed beer garden in its Naperville location. The city and suburban spots host kid-friendly events for beer anniversaries and holidays like Halloween. Food truck pop-ups and events add to the fun of the outdoor environment. The brewpubs also frequently host markets for local craft vendors. 

Photos by the author