New York City is packed with grown-up fun—from craft breweries and buzzy barcades to axe-throwing lounges and stylish restaurants that feel like a night out. But for parents, the question is always the same: Can the kids come too? Surprisingly, the answer is yes—if you know where to look. Across the city, a growing number of adult-leaning spots are quietly (and sometimes enthusiastically) welcoming families, offering the rare chance to sip, play, or unwind without lining up a babysitter.
These aren’t playgrounds with a token espresso bar. They’re real-deal venues—think kid-friendly bars, taprooms with board games and space to roam, retro arcades where kids can go head-to-head with parents, and even axe-throwing spots with clear safety rules and family-friendly hours. The vibe is relaxed, the expectations are clear, and the experience feels like a win for everyone.
Whether you’re meeting friends for a drink, planning a low-key family outing, or just looking to reclaim a little piece of your pre-kid social life, these spots strike that elusive balance. With a bit of insider know-how—like when to go, where kids are most welcome, and what to expect—you can turn an “adults-only” destination into a genuinely fun family outing. For more family fun, check out our list of NYC’s best kid-friendly bars and rooftop restaurants and best family-friendly beer gardens in NYC.
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Best Adult-Only Venues that Welcome Kids, At-a-Glance
What Are the Best Family-Friendly Breweries, Taprooms, Wineries, and Bars in NYC?
1. Sixpoint Brewery at Brookfield Place – Battery Park City
Inside Brookfield Place is a polished, spacious brewpub with tons of seating, easy stroller access, and a lively-but-manageable vibe that feels more like a restaurant than a bar.
Why it made the list: It’s one of the easiest “gateway” brewery experiences for families—clean, central, and surrounded by kid-friendly attractions.
Fun activities for families: Nearby waterfront esplanade, indoor food hall, seasonal events at Brookfield Place
Best time to visit with kids: Weekend afternoons or early evenings before the post-work crowd rolls in
Best for: All ages, especially toddlers and younger kids
Insider tip: Pair your visit with time at the Winter Garden or a walk along the Hudson for a built-in kid reset. Teardrop Park and Nelson A. Rockefeller Park are an easy stroll away.
2. City Vineyard – Tribeca
City Vineyard offers a beautiful, breezy, waterfront wine bar and mini-winery concept with a strong food menu and unbeatable Hudson River views.
Why it made the list: It’s less formal than most Manhattan wine spots and sits right inside a park—ideal for pairing with kid-friendly outdoor time.
Fun activities for families: Hudson River Park playgrounds, biking paths, open space to run before or after dining
Best time to visit with kids: Afternoons or early sunset dinners
Best for: All ages
Insider tip: Let kids burn energy at the playground first—then settle in for a much calmer meal.
3. Bisou – Soho
A charming, Parisian-style wine bar with outdoor seating, small plates, and a relaxed neighborhood feel, Bisou leans more café than nightlife spot.
Why it made the list: The casual, early-evening vibe and food-forward menu make it one of the easier Manhattan wine bars to visit with kids in tow.
Fun activities for families: Outdoor seating for people-watching, nearby Soho strolling, and shops
Best time to visit with kids: Early evening (before 7pm)
Best for: Ages 6 and older
Insider tip: This is a perfect spot for a parent pick-me-up after visiting Sloomoo nearby!
4. Evil Twin Brewing – Dumbo, Brooklyn
At this bright, airy taproom right near the waterfront, find a laid-back crowd, big tables, and plenty of families stopping in after park time.
Why it made the list: Location is everything—this sits steps from one of the best kid-friendly outdoor spaces in NYC: Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Fun activities for families: Brooklyn Bridge Park playgrounds, Jane’s Carousel, waterfront views
Best time to visit with kids: Midday on weekends after park play.
Best for: Ages 4 and older
Insider tip: Grab a table after playground time—kids arrive happy and tired, which is peak brewery parenting strategy.
5. Strong Rope Brewery – Red Hook, Brooklyn
I love this relaxed, community-focused brewery with sweeping waterfront views and a distinctly low-key, family-welcoming vibe. It’s great with the kids—and also for an afternoon away from the kids!
Why it made the list: Known for being especially accommodating to families, with plenty of space and a casual atmosphere
Fun activities for families: Open space for kids to roam nearby, waterfront exploring, and occasional events.
Best time to visit with kids: Sunny afternoons
Best for: All ages
Insider tip: Combine with a visit to Valentino Pier or a Red Hook bakery to make it a full outing.
6. Black Mountain Wine House – Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
A cozy, fireplace-lit wine bar with a backyard garden that feels like a rustic cabin—intimate but surprisingly welcoming to families during the day. I can’t believe I’m going to let this neighborhood secret get out.
Why it made the list: The courtyard space and relaxed daytime vibe make it one of the rare wine bars where kids don’t feel out of place.
Fun activities for families: Garden seating, snacks and small plates, relaxed hangout space
Best time to visit with kids: Weekend afternoons
Best for: Ages 5 and older
Insider tip: Snag a spot in the garden—it’s the most kid-friendly area and gives everyone a little breathing room.
7. June – Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
A stylish but approachable natural wine bar with a backyard courtyard and excellent small plates, often drawing a neighborhood crowd earlier in the day.
Why it made the list: Its brunch hours and backyard seating make it feel more like a restaurant—key for kid-friendly visits.
Fun activities for families: Outdoor patio dining, sharing plates, relaxed brunch setting
Best time to visit with kids: Weekend brunch or early afternoon
Best for: Ages 7 and older
8. Brooklyn Winery – Williamsburg, Brooklyn
A stylish, working winery and restaurant where you can see wine being made on-site, paired with a full menu and a warm, polished but approachable atmosphere.
Why it made the list: It’s one of the only true wineries in NYC—and its restaurant setup makes it surprisingly doable with kids during the day.
Fun activities for families: Watching the winemaking space, dining together, and Domino Park is nearby for post-meal play.
Best time to visit with kids: Weekend brunch or early dinner
Best for: 6 and older
Insider tip: Book an early reservation and request a table with a view of the production area—it adds a little “wow” factor for curious kids.
9. Fifth Hammer Brewing Company – Long Island City, Queens
This colorful, welcoming taproom, known for its creative drinks and community feel, is often buzzing with groups, dogs, and families.
Why it made the list: LIC breweries are famously family-friendly, and this is one of the most accessible and lively.
Fun activities for families: Open space for kids to roam nearby, waterfront exploring, and occasional events
Best time to visit with kids: Sunny afternoons
Best for: All ages
10. Flagship Brewery – St. George, Staten Island
Flagship Brewery offers a spacious industrial-chic taproom with a large outdoor patio and a strong neighborhood vibe that welcomes groups and families during the day.
Why it made the list: Plenty of room to spread out, plus frequent events that make it feel more like a community hang than a bar
Fun activities for families: Outdoor seating, games, rotating food vendors
Best time to visit with kids: Daytime hours on weekends
Best for: Ages 6 and older
Insider tip: Check its event calendar—family-friendly daytime programming pops up regularly.
Play a round of putt-putt at Swingers, which is open to families during select weekend hours. Photo by the author
What Other Adult Activity Venues Welcome Kids?
11. Swingers – Flatiron
An immersive indoor mini-golf venue, Swingers was designed to look like a 1920s English country club, with whimsical courses, street food vendors, and a lively social vibe that leans adult—but opens its doors to families at specific times.
Why it made the list: It’s one of the most polished “grown-up” activity venues in NYC that still thoughtfully carves out dedicated family-friendly hours.
Fun activities for families: Two 9-hole mini-golf courses, kids’ menus, activity sheets, and playful drinks (plus plenty of visual “wow” moments on the course)
Best time to visit with kids: Weekend family sessions—Saturdays before 4pm and Sundays (all day, with earlier hours being calmer).
Best for: Ages 5 and older
Insider tip: Book an early time slot—later in the day, it transitions quickly into a more adult nightlife vibe, and kids must leave by early evening on weekends.
12. SPIN – Flatiron
Spin offers a sleek pingpong social club with a restaurant menu, upbeat music, and a playful, energetic atmosphere.
Why it made the list: It’s an “adult” nightlife concept that’s surprisingly welcoming earlier in the day, especially for active kids.
Fun activities for families: Pingpong matches, group games, casual dining
Best time to visit with kids: Weekend afternoons
Best for: Ages 6 and older
Insider tip: Kids are welcome only on Saturdays before 6pm
13. Uncommons – Greenwich Village
This cozy board game café is home to hundreds of games and offers a menu of snacks, drinks, and light bites.
Why it made the list: It’s the perfect bridge between café and bar—social, interactive, and fully kid-friendly.
Fun activities for families: Board games galore, guided game recommendations from staff
Best time to visit with kids: Afternoons
Best for: Ages 5 and older
14. Kick Axe Throwing Brooklyn – Gowanus, Brooklyn
A lodge-style, axe-throwing venue, Kick Axe offers food, drinks, and games, and feels more like a cozy cabin hangout than a family-friendly bar in NYC.
Why it made the list: It’s explicitly family-friendly (ages 8 and older) with board games, patio space, and even non-throwing activities for younger visitors, but feels very adult.
Fun activities for families: Axe throwing (for older kids), giant games, board games, patio lounging
Best time to visit with kids: Weekend afternoons
Best for: Ages 8+
Insider tip: You don’t have to throw axes—come for the games and food if your kids aren’t ready for it.
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Take in a kid-friendly show at Brooklyn Bowl. Photo by Ken Spielman/courtesy of the Rock And Roll Playhouse
15. Brooklyn Bowl – Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bowl is a high-energy bowling alley and live music venue mashup, with a full restaurant and tons of space for families.
Why it made the list: It blends bowling, food, and entertainment into one of the most reliably kid-welcoming “adult” venues in NYC.
Fun activities for families: Bowling, live music (earlier shows), arcade-style fun.
Best time to visit with kids: Family bowl sessions or weekend afternoons
Best for: All ages
Insider tip: If you have a baby, toddler, or preschooler, go to a Rock and Roll Playhouse show. The bar is open!
16. Pig Beach BBQ Queens – Astoria, Queens
A sprawling indoor-outdoor BBQ spot, PIg Beach has games, picnic tables, and a lively beer hall-feel.
Why it made the list: Huge space, plus a casual vibe—Pig Beach is one of the easiest places to bring kids to an otherwise adult-coded hangout.
Fun activities for families: Yard games, open seating, group dining
Best time to visit with kids: Weekend afternoons
Best for: All ages
What Time Should I Visit These Venues with Kids in New York City?
Timing is everything when you’re bringing kids into spaces are designed with adults in mind. The same venue that feels relaxed and welcoming at 2pm can shift into a full-on nightlife scene by 7pm—so knowing when to go makes all the difference. The sweet spot is late morning to mid-afternoon (11am-4pm). This is your safest bet across almost every category. The crowds are lighter, noise levels are manageable, and the staff are more accommodating to families. This timeframe is best for board game cafés, breweries, mini golf, pingpong spots, and casual wine bars.
Weekend afternoons (12pm-5pm) are also a popular window. Most venues that actively welcome kids design their schedules around this time-frame. Some venues have dedicated family hours, including Swingers and SPIN. Because there are more families, you won’t feel out of place, and full food menus are typically available. Weekend afternoons are best for mini golf, bowling alleys, axe-throwing venues, and large beer halls.
FAQs For Visiting Adult Venues with Kids in NYC
What NYC rooftop bars allow kids?
If you are looking for a rooftop bar to go with your kids, check out our roundup of the best kid-approved rooftops in NYC. Favorites include 230 5th Rooftop Bar and AMALFI Rooftop by Bierreria in the Flatiron District; the Haven Rooftop in Midtown; and Leonessa in Battery Park City.
What are the best family-friendly beer gardens in NYC?
Our rundown of family-friendly beer gardens in NYC offers all our top picks, but can’t-miss spots include Brooklyn Crab in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and Greenwood Park in South Slope, Brooklyn, plus Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria, Queens.
Are there barcades in NYC that allow kids during the day?
Short answer: yes—but with caveats. Most NYC barcades are legally bars first, so kids are only allowed during very specific windows. Barcade, the OG NYC barcade, which has locations in Chelsea, FiDi, Williamsburg, and the East Village, allows kids only during designated Family Days one Sunday a month from 12-5pm.
Are there comedy clubs in NYC that have family-friendly shows?
Broadway Comedy Club is one of the only NYC comedy clubs with a full lineup of family-friendly shows. Improv 4 Kids (interactive improv based on kids’ suggestions) and Broadway Magic Hour (comedy plus magic) are specifically designed for kids and run regularly on weekends. See all our top comedy picks for families here.