Kids are great. Their cute little doe-eyed faces give every parent a reason to wake up in the morning … at 5 a.m. But every once in awhile, a breather is in order. These 20 places will help both new parents and small children unwind with good food, family-friendly entertainment and most importantly, booze.
Kids are great. Their cute little doe-eyed faces give every parent a reason to wake up in the morning … at 5 a.m. But every once in awhile, a breather is in order. These 21 places will help both new parents and small children unwind with good food, family-friendly entertainment and most importantly, booze (which we highly recommend to sip responsibly).
Barrio
Multiple Locations
Similar to Happy Dog, Barrio lets adventurous eaters of all ages add as many toppings as they’d like to tacos. Already a kid-approved snack, tacos customized to their liking is just the topping on the cake, or rather the sour cream on the cherry tomato guacamole.
Photo via @BarrioCleveland/InstagramTabletop Board Game Cafe
1810 West 25th St., Cleveland
Board games can get expensive, especially when a terrible two gets sick of each toy so quickly. Swooping in to save the day with over 1,000 board games, Tabletop takes the stress out of family game night by hosting it for you. It’s an easy way to spend some quality time with the squirts without breaking the bank on a $60 board game they’ll only play once.
Photo via @TableTopCleve/InstagramPunch Bowl Social
1086 West 11th St., Cleveland
Kids are allowed to play games, bowl and sing karaoke at this fun spot in the Flats. But make sure you do it all before 10 p.m., when the bar and restaurant turns into a 21+ spot.
Photo via Scene ArchivesHappy Dog
5801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Every kid dreams of building a meal only they could enjoy. Let them pile it high with Froot Loops, nachos and mac and cheese while you sip a craft brew or signature cocktail. Just watch out for just exactly how much the apple of your eye is ringing up. Those 50+ toppings can lead to a cringe-worthy bill.
Photo via Scene ArchivesMelt
Multiple Locations
There isn’t a Clevelander out there who will turn down a Melt grilled cheese when offered one, especially if under the age of 10. With light up holiday decorations and cartoons on half the mounted TVs, there’s plenty for a kindergartener to look at while eating his Kindergarten sandwich. And of course, the worn out parent can sit back with whatever’s on tap.
Photo via Scene ArchivesCorner Alley
402 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Bowling, booze and and sports, Corney Alley has it all when it comes to keeping mother, father and baby entertained. Set up the little one to knock down pins and knock a few back while watching the big game.
Photo via The Corner Alley Downtown/FacebookB-Side Liquor Lounge
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights
Definitely don’t come to B Side’s with a kid after 11 p.m. Late at night, the bar fills up with tipsy 20-somethings telling their friends to watch them whip while hogging the skeeball machine. But, before the crowds descend, B Side is a great after dinner stop to help both guardians and their wards chill out. Equipped with a full bar and wall-to-wall arcade games, the intimate space is ideal for tired parents to relax on a stool while the little tykes play pinball within eyesight.
Photo via B-Side/FacebookHofbrauhaus
1550 Chester Ave., Cleveland
Filled with beer, music and lederhosen, Cleveland’s Hofbrauhaus overloads the senses. While new parents are busy chowing down on some schnitzel and guzzling a pint or two, children can be entertained by the family-friendly live music, dancing servers and gift shop. Also, kids eat free on Sundays.
Photo via @HBCleThe Chocolate Bar
347 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Want to really score points with the little ones? The mini-bar fondue on the kids menu is one of them more gluttonous items around, featuring kids size chocolate fondue items like strawberries, marshmallows and pretzels. While they’re dipping food in chocolate, you can enjoy a Salted Caramel Chocolate or Swedish Fish martini.
Photo via @TheChocolateBar/InstgramCedar Point
1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky
There’s really no better compromise for adults and kids than riding the coasters at Cedar Point. Oh, and there’s beer. Sign us up.
Photo via Scene ArchivesCleveland MetroParks Zoo
3900 Wildlife Way., Cleveland
Animals at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo just keep popping out babies. There are a ton of awesome animals on display at the Zoo and it’s the perfect place to take the little ones while sipping an adult beverage.
Photo via Scene ArchivesProvenance at The Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Blvd., Cleveland
One of the best art museums around sits on East Boulevard just waiting for you. The world-renowned collection spans continents and eras, from Italian Renaissance to modern, from ancient Greece to African, and more. Obviously, always more. Spend a day getting lost and then stop in Provenance, the Doug Katz-developed cafe, for a delicious meal and an ice cold beer.
Photo via Scene ArchivesBest Place for Arcade Games: Superelectric Pinball Parlor
6500 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Superelectric is a pinball parlor where fun-loving folks can while away the days playing vintage arcade games like pinball and anything else from the strange, cool world of vintage gaming. In addition to pinball and other games, there’s a full service bar plus a kitchen that is in the process of changing its menu.
Photo via Scene ArchivesSpend a Day at the Rock Hall
751 Erieside Dr., Cleveland
Bitch about who’s inducted and who’s not if you want — that’s half the fun! — but you can’t take anything away from the stunning, unparalleled collection of rock history sitting in the glass pyramid by Lake Erie. When you’re done looking at the awesome collection, head up to the cafe for a nice meal and grab a cold beverage just like the rock stars.
Photo via Scene ArchivesTake a Trip on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Not everything on the list is in Cleveland proper, but there are certain Northeast Ohio expeditions that we’d be crazy to exclude. Here’s one: Take a trip on one of the longest, most historic railway tours in America through the 33,000 acres of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. You can also have dinner and an adult beverage on the train and pretend like you’re sophisticated like the Europeans.
Photo via @Cuyahoga_Valley_Railroad/InstagramForest City Brewery
2135 Columbus Rd., Cleveland
This brewery, located in Duck Island, between Tremont and Ohio City, recently updated its beer hall and started hosting live music nights in addition to their story club, improv group and cinema group. Try a flight so you can sample all of their delicious beers.
Photo via Forest City Brewery/FacebookTake a Tour on the Goodtime III
You can brush it off as lame if you want (it’s not), but you’re hard-pressed to find a better daylong tour of some of the city’s finest sights. And while it may not be the most gourmet meal in town, it’s good enough to kill a few hours with the whole family.
Photo via Scene ArchivesPlay Adventure CLE
38525 Chester Ave., Avon
Kids and adults alike can have a wonderful time at Play Adventure CLE. With climbing walls, ziplines, ropes courses and more and an on-site kitchen and drink menu, this place has it all.
Photo via Play CLE/FacebookTop Golf
5820 Rockside Woods Blvd., Independence
Yes, we know golf is an activity men (and women) use to get away from their kids and spouses. But with Top Golf, why not take the entire family? Yay!
Photo via Scene ArchivesEdgewater Park
4101 Fulton Parkway., Cleveland
The Cleveland Metroparks’s Edgewater Park is great for those beautiful summer nights. You can pack up the whole fam, grab some food and beer at the Edgewater Beach House and enjoy a wonderful night making memories with the kiddos.
Photo by Emanuel Wallace
