You can't always leave the kids at home. Thankfully, Vancouver is a city full of drinking – and eating – establishments that cater to foodies with underagers in tow. Whether you're bringing little ones along to a bar with board games or just grabbing a booth at the local pub, cold pints and laid-back vibes await you at these family-friendly spots.
There's plenty of room for your entire brood at St. Augustine's. Sit inside and watch the game on the mounted televisions or snag a spot outside on the patio. For the adults, the European inspired beer hall offers more than 60 different varieties of beer and a menu that will work up your thirst: chicken wings, nachos and fries to start. Or how about a pizza to split with the family? High chairs are available for little ones who need a boost.
Come for the locally sourced food, the airy, spacious dining area, and the energetic vibe at Tap and Barrel. The menu is extensive, with plenty of food to appeal to young and old – think handmade guac and salsa, chicken strips, Cobb salad, and a signature Maui Wowie pizza with pineapple. Thirsty? Try their Caesars or a Central City Hopping Mad cider. If the kids get restless, there’s plenty of space for them to run around on the nearby Seawall while you relax with a boozy beverage.
For diet-conscious parents who are sick of greasy pub food, The Mill Marine is a great alternative offering a menu of comfort foods prepared with gourmet ingredients. The cedar plank pizzas come with unusual topping such as Andouille sausage or kale and bacon. For those with more of a liquid craving, Happy Hour pricing is on offer every day from 2:00 to 7:00 pm. Ultimately the major draw here is the location; situated right on the Seawall in Coal Harbour, this expansive restaurant is seriously hot spot in the summer months thanks to its sprawling outdoor seating area.
There's plenty of space for the kids in the cozy wood-and-brick interior at Biercraft. The beer selection here is truly impressive. Why not come and try one of the local Driftwood Farmhand Ales, or a Belgian Tripel? If beer isn't your thing, there’s plenty of wine, cocktails and cider to go around. Kids can order from the drink menu as well, thanks to the tasty selection of non-alcoholic drinks like blueberry lemonade. If hunger strikes, look for the pork schnitzel sandwich with Belgian frites.
The extensive board game and puzzle selection, as well as the swords and other paraphernalia on the wall, will entertain the whole family at the Stormcrow Tavern. Keep the energy levels up with crowd-pleasing snack staples such as onion rings, fries and chicken wings. For mains, try the Raven burger with "borgonzola" cheese (that's brie and blue cheese). When you get thirsty, give the Tattioine Sunrise a try, or sample The Matrix shot, which is made with grenadine, blue curacao and vodka.
Located at the corner of Helmcken and Mainland, Yaletown Brewing Co. offers a corner perch on their large outdoor patio or a cozy hideaway inside the warm, brick-accented dining room. Get a pint of their tasty ginger beer or try the six-beer taster and check out the game on screen. The kids will enjoy the house-cut potato wedges with a sour cream, bacon and onion dip.
Craft Beer Market is located in a wonderfully cavernous space, complete with exposed wooden beams and piping that shows you just where your beer is coming from. There's everything from India pale ales and pub cream ales to wheat ales and white beers. Keep the kids occupied with a chipotle cheddar burger or a house-made ice cream sandwich. Don't forget to grab a bite for yourself!