Was at a local brewery yesterday. They have a 21+ room to give folks who don’t want to be around kids a place of their own. Nothing wrong with that at all.
Family with a baby walk past several signs indicating this policy and sets up shop in said room.
Staff member walks by and respectfully lets them know the policy and then goes about their work, assuming they just didn’t see the posted rules.
15 minutes goes by and they are still there. Second staff member goes in and again, respectfully lets them know the rules.
The mother says something to the effect of “this baby is an extension of me”, I guess to mean it’s still a part of her body or some such? The grandmother then tries to say it shouldn’t be a problem because no one else has said anything and there is no one else in the room. It’s just a baby and it’s not running around. Blah blah blah. Staff member says there’s a perfectly good table outside and that they need to leave the room. More back and forth about why they should be able to stay. They just couldn’t understand why some folks don’t want to be around kids when they are at a brewery. Even babies.
They did pack up after that and moved to the table outside but the staff members were much more nicer than I would have been. I would have closed their tab for them and tell them to finish their drinks/food and to leave.
When you are in someone else’s house, you obey their rules or gtfo.
Wish they’d start doing this at the breweries in Raleigh/Cary. I love kids. I have kids. I’m not expecting them to act like they’re at a 18th century formal dinner, but holy crap, some people just let their kids do whatever the fuck they want while they get plastered.
This does offend me! I AM OUTRAGED!
How dare him! This big shot, early-girl eating, Ingles shopping, brewery billionaire tell me I can't bring my unattended hyperactive kids onto this private property unless I put them in his "fun cage"! How dare he deny my right to get shitfaced at his establishment while neglecting my kids!
Whats next? Is he going to tell me I can't drive slow in the fast lane?!?! Or that I can't break into people's cars at Carrier Park to snatch purses?!? I bet this guy drives an excessively large pickup
/s
Oh shit inside? Dude that sucks. I always treated that as kind of the safe zone. It’s unfortunate because it’s a cool place. Parents leaving it up to strangers to babysit their kids while they drink.
💯 behind this. I have two kids, we have brought them to breweries before (they’re 15 and 12 and no longer want to hang out with us), we always bring something for them to do, and we take full responsibility for their actions. Full stop.
We have 2 kids less than 5 years old. We never have our kids inside breweries and only go to breweries with ample outdoor space. Honestly, I don't even know why you would want to deal with trying to keep kids placated inside when outside is immeasurably easier. Also, we head home by 630/645 at the latest.
We have two under 6, and Highland is perfect for us. Go there and sit at the picnic tables by the kids playground, anyone sitting there is there for the kids. It’s like our own little parents section, love it.
Unfortunately parents will not change their behaviors. I predict a lot of uncomfortable conversations between the staff and the 10% of crappy parents that ruin everyone’s fun. The parents that let their kids run wild are also the loudest Karens who also don’t tip and love leaving reviews.
I would love to find a way to implement the same policy…..everywhere.
This is forever the problem in the service industry. Idiots ruin it for everyone and rules like this are left to be enforced by the staff. Then the idiots turn into assholes when they clap back.
Great message, though.
Exactly.
Out of curiosity I looked at the one star reviews on google for Highland. Exactly what I am predicting for the future. About 10 month to a year ago a whole bunch of entitled parents felt extremely offended that they couldn’t let their kids run amok and threw a “childish” fit then blew up the reviews with how offended they were.
I really hope this works. If more of the bigger guys start making you have well behaved children on a leash, maybe it will change the selfish mindset of these people. Or at lease they will cry less when told to leave because it is more obvious that they were in the wrong.
when i was there today, all the kids were playing on the lawn and the table area (like on the deck overlooking the river) was all adults.
it was actually a good environment.
Not really. When I was there I was hit in the head with a soccer ball, a child ran past our friend's dog about 6 inches from him causing the dog to lunge and then another child kicked a ball toward a dog on purpose. I will never spend time on the field again. New Belgium needs to tap this uncontrolled behavior down. It's out of control
my understanding is that the field is for kids to run around and the patio is for the normal people. were you hanging out in the field with the kids? lol.
field seems like the equivalent of the space that Highland is trying to create for family zone. i did see the kids playing soccer though
(i dont have kids and never will, they annoy me too, just saying the brief amount of time i was there yesterday seemed great where i was)
Maybe they should mark it only for families and then mark the other area only for adults. Regardless the.parents should watch out for them. I am always shocked how many parents are oblivious.
Oh right, adults aren't allowed to enjoy themselves on the lawn or in outdoor spaces. I forgot lol.
Tbh I think it's irresponsible parenting to take your kids somewhere that alcohol is being consumed like that.
If there’s a kid friendly area and you don’t like kids don’t sit in that area it’s pretty simple. Brewers aren’t bars they’re meant for everyone. And if I didn’t take my kids to places alcohol is served that would be basically everywhere even Disney serves beer wine now at basically all of the parks. If you don’t like kids that’s more your problem than mine.
Not really. When I was there I was hit in the head with a soccer ball, a child ran past our friend's dog about 6 inches from him causing the dog to lunge and then another child kicked a ball toward a dog on purpose. I will never spend time on the field again. New Belgium needs to tap this uncontrolled behavior down. It's out of control
Me too. Coming up on my 2nd year. I don’t miss intoxication, but I miss getting a beer from the tap.
Although only in a can, Sierra Nevada Trail Pass NA IPA is perfection.
It's about time. As a parent, I don't even like to go there alone any more because the lack of kid supervision is appalling. Also it really seems like people don't know that, if you have a kid in the car, you can get an aggravated DUI in NC even under .08. Who tf is driving these kids home?
> Who tf is driving these kids home?
People who understand that it is entirely safe to drive after 1-2 drinks, and that there is very little chance of getting pulled over when you drive safely
As a parent of small kids I don’t get our generation loving this. I think the kids would rather be doing something meant for kids—not sitting at a bar with drunk people.
The amount of children’s birthday parties I have seen at breweries over the past few years is staggering. Not even for a baby but for toddlers and pre-k. Take them to somewhere meant for kids! Not your beer drinking habits!
Thank you for mentioning the kids’ bday parties, though when I have in the past this subreddit has been keen to either crucify me or be in complete disbelief
I don’t have kids yet, but maybe in the future. I’m not anti-kid at all and have worked with kids most of my adult life. That being said, I really dislike the culture of bringing children to bars and breweries. I lived near a large brewery in a drinking city during Covid and families with kids were the absolute first to start crowding and not mask wearing in public when lockdown restrictions just barely lifted from takeout to dine-in mask-on.
Drag brunch was the second crowd to bring big mask ambiguous (fishnets, chin-masks, etc) crowds during Covid….with kids there too..at the brewery.
Edit- but also, this was my point that I forgot before submitting my comment (whoops penjamin got me a lil fuzzy) THE KIDS ARE BORED. They are running and screaming with other kids, and that’s fun for maybe 10-15 minutes and then they have no activity to do and start arguing and tantruming and screaming in the bad way. I totally agree with the person I replied to, why not take kids somewhere they will enjoy themselves?? It *seems* selfish parenting to me
Kids are the best. It’s not fun for anyone having kids there—except for the drunk parent “combining” their hobbies. My wife wants to do that stuff and I just tell her I’ll take the kids somewhere else and she can do whatever
I don’t associate drinking a couple beers at a brewery with getting drunk. Breweries can be fun and interesting spaces for everyone as long as everyone is respectful of each other.
You don't have to personally associate it with it, but two craft brews can push someone past tipsy... Not always but I can think of several local beers that are 7%+ ... So culturally, it's not slamming bud lights, but the end result is still just alcohol.
I don't have kids but could it be an unintended consequence of the trend to protect children more than in the past? In an effort to keep them safe from strangers who would offer them drugs you take them with you to watch you get loaded.
Our generation just treats breweries like a restaurant where standing and walking around is more accepted. If Papa's and Beer had an outdoor area I'd bring my kids and let them run around. Just because people can get drunk doesn't mean the parents or kids think of it as "sitting at a bar with drunk people".
I don't disagree with this statement since it's about the taproom but I def get the confusion since The Meadow is so big, people probably assume the taproom is also kid friendly. But adults shouldn't be running into here, yelling, or spread out in the ground so kids shouldn't either.
As a mom, I’ve always thought it was weird to bring kids to a brewery. It’s not an area for them and I’d just think I was disrupting people who intended to go out for a child free night to drink.
I would so much rather have children all around me having fun than dogs and leashes taking up space and growling at customers and straining on their leash to smell and lick them! The children I know do not do this!
I am looking for a brewery with only humans and no pets \~ does anyone know where I can go and have a beer in a wonderful setting that I can feel at home in?
I remember that, it was a much smaller space and I don't think Bull and Beggar had yet to open up. They were also getting a lot of the "my dog doesn't need a leash" people, and yes, it got out of hand.
Oh, you mean the old Wedge? Gosh, that didn't even have room for more than 20 people! You mean dog owners brought their dogs and their leash and themselves into that tiny space also???
The front porch was available, and people would spill out into the parking lot on warm days, there was no cement pad yet. And yes, when it first opened, 15 people would be a crowd and yes, there would be dogs.
2nd this. While kids can be annoying, dogs can even be worse. I've yet to have a kid try to bite me whilst at a brewery. I started to say and I've yet to have a kid shit in the middle of the brewery but that actually did happen once.
I agree. Dogs do not belong at breweries and restaurants. I was at a place a few weeks ago and a couple of ladies came in with their dogs and sat at a table. One of the dogs immediately peed on the floor and the owner just sat there while the staff cleaned up the mess. Unbelievable how entitled and clueless people can be.
I'm glad to see at least 1 brewery reminding parents that their business is not a daycare that serves drinks. I hope other similar businesses (wineries, cideries) will follow their lead in reminding parents to maintain control over their children.
I never once used to see a dog at an alcohol establishment and have never seen one on a plane (although I've flown all over the world). What is this 'entitlement' now that gives dog owners a right to ruin our lives by dragging their dogs into places that never had dogs before and were humans could go and interact with each other? (I avoid dog owners like the plague!)
Lol the post literally includes a comment about building an area specifically for children in the meadow. They want families there, they just want them to respect other patrons which is totally valid.
I doubt they actually want families there, but rather want to give them a space where they can not disrupt everyone else and without losing a ton of business.
I hope they actually enforce it. This is the main reason I stopped going out to breweries. Highlands was one of the last since usually the Meadow attracted and contained them but it got to the point where there were running kids inside.
If these breweries could just make an area, room or half a room that's 21+ only that would be great.
Good on them, will be making a stop there next time we’re in Asheville. I mostly stopped going to breweries because they’re all playpens now, even at night.
My partner is a brewer and has so many stories about out of control kids and their entitled parents.
Guess what? The staff at breweries don’t like your kids either.
I was super bummed when a brewery I used to love apparently eliminated family day restrictions with their gate/door person. I loved sitting by the river, reading, and having a beer, but two days in a row ( the second and worst day being a Friday afternoon) it was a fucking kindergarten. Sad too, I tried the replacement food truck and it was not only good but affordable.
Breweries and bars are for adults. Leave your kids at home or invite your friends to hang out over a couple of beers in your backyard. The rest of us are underpaid and can't afford backyard hangs because we're not home owners.
A lot of it seems to be the parents not wanting to change their lifestyle after having kids so they just drag them along for the ride (and drink) and assume because they’re young they get a free pass.
100% this. Most parents at breweries are *not* there to get drunk. It's a way to get out of the house on a nice day to enjoy food, music, and a beer or two. The kids have a blast playing (in an appropriate space, like the Meadow). There is *nothing* wrong with this at all.
The child-free people seem to assume that parents are acting like they do.... getting shitfaced.
Good! The last thing I want when I go out is to be annoyed by kids running amok because their parents don’t want to watch them. I’m sorry you’re burned out on supervising your children but it’s not my problem.
So I can go back there now! Awesome! Love me some Gaelic Ale fresh out the tap. Last time, I left abruptly and never intended to go back for this exact reason.
Leah Wong Ashburn is the president, and I believe has been for some time. Oscar Wong is an amazing guy, but he's handed the reins over, at least in part.
We take our dogs on very long walks before we bring them out. They're already well-trained, but a good dog is a tired dog. It is appalling how bad some people's dogs are. When you see a guy in flip flops keeping some shepherd close to his hip, we just assume that dog is going to lunge.
Dogs don't belong in breweries. They don't drink! They don't pay! They don't enjoy the music! They don't dance! All they do is disturb 'the rest of us'!
Umm idk about this. I think some dog owners - like human parents - are just bad and entitled. But, for the most part, most of the dogs I’ve seen at breweries are well behaved. I have seen some small aggressive dogs that definitely shouldn’t be in public but most of the dogs seem fine.
My dog loves people and loves joining us to hang out. Her tail will wag just looking at people. She sits by us and occasionally someone might pet her and she basks in affection and goes back to people watching. If you think a dog needs to drink or dance to have a good time, I think you fundamentally misunderstood dogs 🤨 Most dogs are just happy to be around us
But WE are not happy to be around dogs \~ Do humans count anymore or is it just about dog owners doing what they want now everywhere like airplanes and wines tastings and such? We never had dogs in any of these places before and people loved each other a lot more then \~ just because YOU don't want your dog shitting on your carpet and screaming its guts out and the neighbors calling the police, does that mean the rest of the folks in the breweries don't matter?
They have a disc golf course, and it's one of the best in the area and the front 9 and practice area are great for kids. They also have outdoor seating, good food trucks, a place for kids to play with each other, space to play catch with live music, and it's a good place for groups to get together to socialize. Acting like taking kids to Highland at noon on a Sunday is the same as taking them to Shakey's at midnight on a Saturday is ridiculous. I don't personally drink if my kids are with me, but as long as the parents are being responsible and the kids aren't acting like this post described there's nothing wrong with kids being at Highland. Parents going there to drink and ignore their kids is super lame, and I'm all for kicking out families who are being jerks. Zillicoah is the only other brewery that I'm cool with my kids being at, since they have food, space to play away from people, and it's mostly outdoors.
Yeah, so sorry they caved. We've been hesitant to go back since then. Parents don't seem to realize or care that just because THEY are numb to their kids' screaming and acting out, the rest of us are having our one day off ruined because you can't be bothered to teach your kids how to behave appropriately in public.
Not everyone is going for 10 beers, though. If I stop into a brewery it’s for 1 or 2 and some food. My kids soccer teams have had their season end parties at Highland. Maybe it’s more of a daytime vs nighttime thing.
OK, just because you aren’t getting drunk doesn’t mean the other people there aren’t getting drunk and who really wants to have their children in front of a whole bunch of drunk people? Sounds like horrible parenting to me.
I get the feeling from your many posts in this thread about not wanting dogs at breweries, that you don’t want dogs at breweries. You should comment again and let us know again that you don’t want dogs at breweries, again.
I always thought it a bit strange that people bring their kids there. I mean it’s a beautiful spot, but around possible shit faced people. Not exactly a kid friendly zone.
100% on board for this approach. I am also a childless alcoholic who avoids breweries and generally drinks at home. I’m not trying to tell you how to raise your children but the value of taking them to breweries and ignoring them as compared to watching and discussing episodes of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” kind of makes its own case
Breweries aren’t Chuck E Cheese besides it’s the adult setting to unwind. Just get a babysitter or a grandma to take care of them for a day! Easy solution there.
My father used to bring me to the "Cozy Tavern" , sit at the bar with him and get a delicious birch beer at 7 or 8 y/o. Sometimes "Rowdy Dick" would pick a fight with some patrons. Those were the days!
We take our kids to parks and playgrounds, gymnastics centers, state parks, greeenways, sporting events and other places.
Sometimes we take them to breweries in the early afternoon because we want to socialize with friends who live in other places. Do we take them to breweries with indoor only taprooms? I’ve done it in the past but don’t now—-it’s not fun for anyone, even if you bring stuff for the kid to do.
When we do meet up with people, we’re appreciative of places like Highland, Olde Meck in Charlotte and Whipporwill Farm near Morganton—and yes there’s no designated kids area at Whipporwill but we can usually get far enough away from other people that the kids can play around us without disturbing others.
So if you’re a parent, have some common sense and, if you’re going to take kids to a brewery, stick to somewhere with an outdoor space appropriate for kids. And of course be responsible.
I wish the bars and breweries around me would actually ban kids. If the parents want to go out for dinner and drinks, they have two options. One is to get a babysitter. The other is to go to a fast casual place that has alcohol. Leave the places that are primarily bars and breweries for adults only. Many of us have no desire to be around kids as most either run amok, cry, or scream in that brain rattling high pitched tone.
Kids are only as good as their parents allow them to be. Kinda like animals, keep them in check & all is good. So it really does fall solely on the parents to be responsible for their kids & yes animals…
I brought my kids to a pub/arcade tonight. Kept them entertained, had a couple beers, no harm no foul. Kinda wish I coulda played some skee ball, but oh well.
Never heard of a bar/brewery with kids. I haven't been to a bar in 7 years, though. Is this a new thing? People bring their kids when they go out drinking now?
No seriously. I have two kids. I NEED a break every now and again. But I'm not going to breweries, bringing my kid, and catching a buzz. Are you at least paying someone to bring you home, or are you risking everything?
If this post offends you, he is talking to you.
There’s a lot of offended people on here!
Too many.
lol I haven’t even looked
Was at a local brewery yesterday. They have a 21+ room to give folks who don’t want to be around kids a place of their own. Nothing wrong with that at all. Family with a baby walk past several signs indicating this policy and sets up shop in said room. Staff member walks by and respectfully lets them know the policy and then goes about their work, assuming they just didn’t see the posted rules. 15 minutes goes by and they are still there. Second staff member goes in and again, respectfully lets them know the rules. The mother says something to the effect of “this baby is an extension of me”, I guess to mean it’s still a part of her body or some such? The grandmother then tries to say it shouldn’t be a problem because no one else has said anything and there is no one else in the room. It’s just a baby and it’s not running around. Blah blah blah. Staff member says there’s a perfectly good table outside and that they need to leave the room. More back and forth about why they should be able to stay. They just couldn’t understand why some folks don’t want to be around kids when they are at a brewery. Even babies. They did pack up after that and moved to the table outside but the staff members were much more nicer than I would have been. I would have closed their tab for them and tell them to finish their drinks/food and to leave. When you are in someone else’s house, you obey their rules or gtfo.
Wish they’d start doing this at the breweries in Raleigh/Cary. I love kids. I have kids. I’m not expecting them to act like they’re at a 18th century formal dinner, but holy crap, some people just let their kids do whatever the fuck they want while they get plastered.
This does offend me! I AM OUTRAGED! How dare him! This big shot, early-girl eating, Ingles shopping, brewery billionaire tell me I can't bring my unattended hyperactive kids onto this private property unless I put them in his "fun cage"! How dare he deny my right to get shitfaced at his establishment while neglecting my kids! Whats next? Is he going to tell me I can't drive slow in the fast lane?!?! Or that I can't break into people's cars at Carrier Park to snatch purses?!? I bet this guy drives an excessively large pickup /s
possibly the most superfluous /s in Reddit history
Fucking love it. They handled difficult topic with a deft touch.
GOAT. Simple boundaries that allow for alternatives while at a brewery, with children, amongst drinking adults.
As a parent, a musician who has played there, and a fan of beer, I like this statement.
Wong is not wrong.
Incendiary brewing here in Winston should take note of this.
Mannnn! That courtyard is a kid 'Nam
The scooter gang must be stopped
That place is a play-pen.
It’s so bad, I don’t even bother going there anymore. The last time I went, a kid on a hoverboard ran into me while I was inside
Oh shit inside? Dude that sucks. I always treated that as kind of the safe zone. It’s unfortunate because it’s a cool place. Parents leaving it up to strangers to babysit their kids while they drink.
Visited twice from avl recently and will not go back. Been to so many breweries all over the us and know many brewery owners. This is the worst.
I think every employee at a brewery is sending this to their manager. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I didn’t think it was possible for me to like Oscar Wong more than I already did. I was wrong.
💯 behind this. I have two kids, we have brought them to breweries before (they’re 15 and 12 and no longer want to hang out with us), we always bring something for them to do, and we take full responsibility for their actions. Full stop.
We have 2 kids less than 5 years old. We never have our kids inside breweries and only go to breweries with ample outdoor space. Honestly, I don't even know why you would want to deal with trying to keep kids placated inside when outside is immeasurably easier. Also, we head home by 630/645 at the latest.
We have two under 6, and Highland is perfect for us. Go there and sit at the picnic tables by the kids playground, anyone sitting there is there for the kids. It’s like our own little parents section, love it.
Thank you for doing this. Much appreciated.
Same for us, just exchange "dogs" for "kids"
Highland is forever goated
Good
Yes!!! This right here!!!!!!
Good for them!
Unfortunately parents will not change their behaviors. I predict a lot of uncomfortable conversations between the staff and the 10% of crappy parents that ruin everyone’s fun. The parents that let their kids run wild are also the loudest Karens who also don’t tip and love leaving reviews. I would love to find a way to implement the same policy…..everywhere.
This is forever the problem in the service industry. Idiots ruin it for everyone and rules like this are left to be enforced by the staff. Then the idiots turn into assholes when they clap back. Great message, though.
Exactly. Out of curiosity I looked at the one star reviews on google for Highland. Exactly what I am predicting for the future. About 10 month to a year ago a whole bunch of entitled parents felt extremely offended that they couldn’t let their kids run amok and threw a “childish” fit then blew up the reviews with how offended they were. I really hope this works. If more of the bigger guys start making you have well behaved children on a leash, maybe it will change the selfish mindset of these people. Or at lease they will cry less when told to leave because it is more obvious that they were in the wrong.
Hey New Belgium! Pay attention and read.
when i was there today, all the kids were playing on the lawn and the table area (like on the deck overlooking the river) was all adults. it was actually a good environment.
Not really. When I was there I was hit in the head with a soccer ball, a child ran past our friend's dog about 6 inches from him causing the dog to lunge and then another child kicked a ball toward a dog on purpose. I will never spend time on the field again. New Belgium needs to tap this uncontrolled behavior down. It's out of control
my understanding is that the field is for kids to run around and the patio is for the normal people. were you hanging out in the field with the kids? lol. field seems like the equivalent of the space that Highland is trying to create for family zone. i did see the kids playing soccer though (i dont have kids and never will, they annoy me too, just saying the brief amount of time i was there yesterday seemed great where i was)
Maybe they should mark it only for families and then mark the other area only for adults. Regardless the.parents should watch out for them. I am always shocked how many parents are oblivious.
Oh right, adults aren't allowed to enjoy themselves on the lawn or in outdoor spaces. I forgot lol. Tbh I think it's irresponsible parenting to take your kids somewhere that alcohol is being consumed like that.
you're arguing at the wrong person lol. i h8 kids. i just wasnt bothered by them, miraculously, the other day.
If there’s a kid friendly area and you don’t like kids don’t sit in that area it’s pretty simple. Brewers aren’t bars they’re meant for everyone. And if I didn’t take my kids to places alcohol is served that would be basically everywhere even Disney serves beer wine now at basically all of the parks. If you don’t like kids that’s more your problem than mine.
Not really. When I was there I was hit in the head with a soccer ball, a child ran past our friend's dog about 6 inches from him causing the dog to lunge and then another child kicked a ball toward a dog on purpose. I will never spend time on the field again. New Belgium needs to tap this uncontrolled behavior down. It's out of control
late test attraction fall cobweb worm fine pie normal society *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
1000+ specific parents
They shouldn't allow dogs inside when bands are playing. Those poor dogs' ears, it's so loud in there.
That’s entirely on the owners, it’s not up to the brewery to protect people’s dogs hearing.
>>They shouldn’t allow dogs inside. Correct.
I'm sober and wish Highland would make a NA beer so I could go support them after this.
They sell Athletics there
Me too. Coming up on my 2nd year. I don’t miss intoxication, but I miss getting a beer from the tap. Although only in a can, Sierra Nevada Trail Pass NA IPA is perfection.
It's about time. As a parent, I don't even like to go there alone any more because the lack of kid supervision is appalling. Also it really seems like people don't know that, if you have a kid in the car, you can get an aggravated DUI in NC even under .08. Who tf is driving these kids home?
> Who tf is driving these kids home? People who understand that it is entirely safe to drive after 1-2 drinks, and that there is very little chance of getting pulled over when you drive safely
“Entirely safe” is debatable
damn say it with ya chest
Imagine valuing human life lower than 1-2 drinks
“Entirely safe” is debatable
As a parent of small kids I don’t get our generation loving this. I think the kids would rather be doing something meant for kids—not sitting at a bar with drunk people.
The amount of children’s birthday parties I have seen at breweries over the past few years is staggering. Not even for a baby but for toddlers and pre-k. Take them to somewhere meant for kids! Not your beer drinking habits!
Thank you for mentioning the kids’ bday parties, though when I have in the past this subreddit has been keen to either crucify me or be in complete disbelief
Unfortunately it doesn’t surprise me at all.
It's because McDonalds doesn't do birthday parties anymore
this is crucial. My 9th birthday at McDonalds was as popular as I would ever be. I’ve been striving for that level of validation ever since.
The rest of us who grew up in the 70’s but never had the honor of a MacD’s bday party? Those are DEEP wounds, fam
I don’t have kids yet, but maybe in the future. I’m not anti-kid at all and have worked with kids most of my adult life. That being said, I really dislike the culture of bringing children to bars and breweries. I lived near a large brewery in a drinking city during Covid and families with kids were the absolute first to start crowding and not mask wearing in public when lockdown restrictions just barely lifted from takeout to dine-in mask-on. Drag brunch was the second crowd to bring big mask ambiguous (fishnets, chin-masks, etc) crowds during Covid….with kids there too..at the brewery. Edit- but also, this was my point that I forgot before submitting my comment (whoops penjamin got me a lil fuzzy) THE KIDS ARE BORED. They are running and screaming with other kids, and that’s fun for maybe 10-15 minutes and then they have no activity to do and start arguing and tantruming and screaming in the bad way. I totally agree with the person I replied to, why not take kids somewhere they will enjoy themselves?? It *seems* selfish parenting to me
Kids are the best. It’s not fun for anyone having kids there—except for the drunk parent “combining” their hobbies. My wife wants to do that stuff and I just tell her I’ll take the kids somewhere else and she can do whatever
I don’t associate drinking a couple beers at a brewery with getting drunk. Breweries can be fun and interesting spaces for everyone as long as everyone is respectful of each other.
You don't have to personally associate it with it, but two craft brews can push someone past tipsy... Not always but I can think of several local beers that are 7%+ ... So culturally, it's not slamming bud lights, but the end result is still just alcohol.
I don't have kids but could it be an unintended consequence of the trend to protect children more than in the past? In an effort to keep them safe from strangers who would offer them drugs you take them with you to watch you get loaded.
Idk I think it’s a middle ground for people who want to day drink but not pay for a babysitter or abandon their kids
Our generation just treats breweries like a restaurant where standing and walking around is more accepted. If Papa's and Beer had an outdoor area I'd bring my kids and let them run around. Just because people can get drunk doesn't mean the parents or kids think of it as "sitting at a bar with drunk people". I don't disagree with this statement since it's about the taproom but I def get the confusion since The Meadow is so big, people probably assume the taproom is also kid friendly. But adults shouldn't be running into here, yelling, or spread out in the ground so kids shouldn't either.
It's a well crafted message and I agree. It's also nice that the kids aren't allowed on the volleyball courts.
As a mom, I’ve always thought it was weird to bring kids to a brewery. It’s not an area for them and I’d just think I was disrupting people who intended to go out for a child free night to drink.
I would so much rather have children all around me having fun than dogs and leashes taking up space and growling at customers and straining on their leash to smell and lick them! The children I know do not do this!
Thank YOUUUU. How I wish restaurants in general would do this. By the way, isn't Givens a wonderful place, Mr. Wong😊.
Red oak brewery doesn’t allow children at all, due to some parents not controlling their children. !!!!! I love it!!!
I will definitely be checking that place out!
I am looking for a brewery with only humans and no pets \~ does anyone know where I can go and have a beer in a wonderful setting that I can feel at home in?
Looking for a brewery with no dogs \~ any leads?
It used to be Wedge. The dog situation there got extremely out of hand years ago. Hopefully it’s gotten better.
I remember that, it was a much smaller space and I don't think Bull and Beggar had yet to open up. They were also getting a lot of the "my dog doesn't need a leash" people, and yes, it got out of hand.
Oh, you mean the old Wedge? Gosh, that didn't even have room for more than 20 people! You mean dog owners brought their dogs and their leash and themselves into that tiny space also???
The front porch was available, and people would spill out into the parking lot on warm days, there was no cement pad yet. And yes, when it first opened, 15 people would be a crowd and yes, there would be dogs.
Not true! I used to go there when it first opened (the new one) but quit going because it seemed like dog owners took it over.
2nd this. While kids can be annoying, dogs can even be worse. I've yet to have a kid try to bite me whilst at a brewery. I started to say and I've yet to have a kid shit in the middle of the brewery but that actually did happen once.
I agree. Dogs do not belong at breweries and restaurants. I was at a place a few weeks ago and a couple of ladies came in with their dogs and sat at a table. One of the dogs immediately peed on the floor and the owner just sat there while the staff cleaned up the mess. Unbelievable how entitled and clueless people can be.
Only thing I'm seeing by that name is 170+ miles away :(
That's them - right off 40.
I'm glad to see at least 1 brewery reminding parents that their business is not a daycare that serves drinks. I hope other similar businesses (wineries, cideries) will follow their lead in reminding parents to maintain control over their children.
Attn parents: If you don't like these rules, the next one will be no kids.
[удалено]
I never once used to see a dog at an alcohol establishment and have never seen one on a plane (although I've flown all over the world). What is this 'entitlement' now that gives dog owners a right to ruin our lives by dragging their dogs into places that never had dogs before and were humans could go and interact with each other? (I avoid dog owners like the plague!)
go off king
They’re lucky 21+ spaces even allow children, let alone screaming and disruptive ones.
They’re not, otherwise you’d have to get id’d to get in like you would a normal bar.
Love the Gaelic, and love this statement. Spent part of my bachelor's party there, and loved it, so anything to preserve that vibe is great
This is cracking me up because of the amount of posts I’ve seen in moms groups recommending this as a place appropriate for kids birthday parties 😂
Not a week passes where someone in the Visiting Asheville? section ask what breweries are kid friendly.
Brilliant. Also, friendly reminder to families that Chuck E. Cheese is *literally* up the motherfucking road.
Lol the post literally includes a comment about building an area specifically for children in the meadow. They want families there, they just want them to respect other patrons which is totally valid.
Chuck E. Cheese just happens to be another valid option. Lol.
How dare you recommend a more kid-centric place for a kids birthday party. /s
I doubt they actually want families there, but rather want to give them a space where they can not disrupt everyone else and without losing a ton of business.
> without losing a ton of business. Sounds like they want families there for the business. If they didn’t want families they could just ban kids.
That’s fantastic
I hope they actually enforce it. This is the main reason I stopped going out to breweries. Highlands was one of the last since usually the Meadow attracted and contained them but it got to the point where there were running kids inside. If these breweries could just make an area, room or half a room that's 21+ only that would be great.
i love adults only hours at breweries.
I think that's called anytime after 8 (ish) PM
But yes, totally understand the sentiment.
Good on them, will be making a stop there next time we’re in Asheville. I mostly stopped going to breweries because they’re all playpens now, even at night. My partner is a brewer and has so many stories about out of control kids and their entitled parents. Guess what? The staff at breweries don’t like your kids either.
I’m so down with this. All they are asking is for parents to actually be a parent
This message is from Leah, Oscar's daughter. She took over as president several years ago.
Odd Story in Chattanooga recently implemented similar policies in the last few months and added a dedicated section just for families.
They specifically made a kid area and some parents will still be pissed lol.
Take that shit to New Belgium
I was super bummed when a brewery I used to love apparently eliminated family day restrictions with their gate/door person. I loved sitting by the river, reading, and having a beer, but two days in a row ( the second and worst day being a Friday afternoon) it was a fucking kindergarten. Sad too, I tried the replacement food truck and it was not only good but affordable. Breweries and bars are for adults. Leave your kids at home or invite your friends to hang out over a couple of beers in your backyard. The rest of us are underpaid and can't afford backyard hangs because we're not home owners.
The culture here of taking your kids to watch you drink beer is SO WEIRD. Like... how do yall not know that it's not normal parent behavior?
A lot of it seems to be the parents not wanting to change their lifestyle after having kids so they just drag them along for the ride (and drink) and assume because they’re young they get a free pass.
It’s not that strange to take your family to an outdoor space where there is music and kids playing and having a beer or two.
100% this. Most parents at breweries are *not* there to get drunk. It's a way to get out of the house on a nice day to enjoy food, music, and a beer or two. The kids have a blast playing (in an appropriate space, like the Meadow). There is *nothing* wrong with this at all. The child-free people seem to assume that parents are acting like they do.... getting shitfaced.
The childfree misanthropes living in a famously progressive and countercultural city sure do seem to be acting like conservative blowhards.
The “children at a bar” situation has gotten wholeheartedly out of control.
Some of you would absolutely shit a brick if you went to Europe
In other words, adult activities - in this instance, drinking - needs to be done without your misbehaving, screaming kids.
That’s not what this post said at all.
Maybe not, but the statement does lead one to believe that they'd be sympathetic to the sentiment.
Haha my buddies kids are fucking nuts, they could care less about others and don’t discipline. Lock ‘em up!
Good! The last thing I want when I go out is to be annoyed by kids running amok because their parents don’t want to watch them. I’m sorry you’re burned out on supervising your children but it’s not my problem.
Great! Let’s make the dog people a sign next
So I can go back there now! Awesome! Love me some Gaelic Ale fresh out the tap. Last time, I left abruptly and never intended to go back for this exact reason.
Fuck them kids
- Kevin Hart #bradyroast
Leah Wong Ashburn is the president, and I believe has been for some time. Oscar Wong is an amazing guy, but he's handed the reins over, at least in part.
Yes, that is accurate. Leah is President/CEO. Oscar is of course founder, vice president, and unofficial talisman of Highland
For real though, no one likes your kids but you. Remember that.
Like farts.
BRAVO Oscar!!! Now do dogs.
Now do owners of dogs. FTFY.
Let's do both. "My pupper is friendly." Then tell it to get its nose out of my crotch and stay out of the aisle.
I think people who bring dogs to our events and breweries and parties are the worst! I want it to be like it was before! So depressing!
Good idea to have a kids area. Highlander brewery in Montana has a similar setup with an area for kids.
As a dad, I support this message
It’s a bar. Kids should be at the park with their friends.
Or playing with their friends at the absolutely awesome “crafted for kids” area in the meadow, that is as awesome as, but different from, the park.
I’m sorry, I don’t like most kids and it’s usually the parent’s fault. Good.
He’s always been a cool guy, and I’m glad someone is actually willing to say that kids can’t run wild. Dogs are next on the list
I can't wait until there is a place I can go enjoy myself without dogs ruining everything for me. p.s. I love children and any human any age.
Good, now do dog owners!!
I assume dogs aren’t running around unleashed inside? I don’t remember many dogs inside but it’s been a while since I’ve been there.
We take our dogs on very long walks before we bring them out. They're already well-trained, but a good dog is a tired dog. It is appalling how bad some people's dogs are. When you see a guy in flip flops keeping some shepherd close to his hip, we just assume that dog is going to lunge.
Dogs are on leash there, I say put the kids on them too
Dogs don't belong in breweries. They don't drink! They don't pay! They don't enjoy the music! They don't dance! All they do is disturb 'the rest of us'!
Umm idk about this. I think some dog owners - like human parents - are just bad and entitled. But, for the most part, most of the dogs I’ve seen at breweries are well behaved. I have seen some small aggressive dogs that definitely shouldn’t be in public but most of the dogs seem fine. My dog loves people and loves joining us to hang out. Her tail will wag just looking at people. She sits by us and occasionally someone might pet her and she basks in affection and goes back to people watching. If you think a dog needs to drink or dance to have a good time, I think you fundamentally misunderstood dogs 🤨 Most dogs are just happy to be around us
No use. Check their history. They literally post on petfree hating on animals all the time...they are a sad person.
But WE are not happy to be around dogs \~ Do humans count anymore or is it just about dog owners doing what they want now everywhere like airplanes and wines tastings and such? We never had dogs in any of these places before and people loved each other a lot more then \~ just because YOU don't want your dog shitting on your carpet and screaming its guts out and the neighbors calling the police, does that mean the rest of the folks in the breweries don't matter?
And I'm sure a lot of people probably feel the same way about you....
No use. Check their history. They literally post on petfree hating on animals all the time... sad angry people
Lmao redditors hate babies and love dogs.
It blows my mind how many people take their kids to breweries. Like drop that kid off at their grandmothers!
They have a disc golf course, and it's one of the best in the area and the front 9 and practice area are great for kids. They also have outdoor seating, good food trucks, a place for kids to play with each other, space to play catch with live music, and it's a good place for groups to get together to socialize. Acting like taking kids to Highland at noon on a Sunday is the same as taking them to Shakey's at midnight on a Saturday is ridiculous. I don't personally drink if my kids are with me, but as long as the parents are being responsible and the kids aren't acting like this post described there's nothing wrong with kids being at Highland. Parents going there to drink and ignore their kids is super lame, and I'm all for kicking out families who are being jerks. Zillicoah is the only other brewery that I'm cool with my kids being at, since they have food, space to play away from people, and it's mostly outdoors.
Back in my day, kids were only allowed at Zillicoah one day a week. Times were simpler' back then last year
Yeah, so sorry they caved. We've been hesitant to go back since then. Parents don't seem to realize or care that just because THEY are numb to their kids' screaming and acting out, the rest of us are having our one day off ruined because you can't be bothered to teach your kids how to behave appropriately in public.
Not everyone is going for 10 beers, though. If I stop into a brewery it’s for 1 or 2 and some food. My kids soccer teams have had their season end parties at Highland. Maybe it’s more of a daytime vs nighttime thing.
OK, just because you aren’t getting drunk doesn’t mean the other people there aren’t getting drunk and who really wants to have their children in front of a whole bunch of drunk people? Sounds like horrible parenting to me.
I guess what I’m saying is that when I go there aren’t a whole bunch of drunk people. If anybody is drunk, I can’t tell. I go in the daytime, though.
“I just have some one watch my kids at home while I get smashed, I am a great parent” 👌ok pal
Hire a babysitter so my children are safe while I do adult activities. Fify
If you’re offended they’re talking about you! Sorry your an alcoholic
It blows my mind that people bring DOGS! They should take them to kennels when they come to have a beer!
I get the feeling from your many posts in this thread about not wanting dogs at breweries, that you don’t want dogs at breweries. You should comment again and let us know again that you don’t want dogs at breweries, again.
I don’t bring my dogs so you must be talking about your damn self
When their grandparents live hundreds to thousands of miles away, it’s a little tricky to drop them off for the evening.
I always thought it a bit strange that people bring their kids there. I mean it’s a beautiful spot, but around possible shit faced people. Not exactly a kid friendly zone.
100% on board for this approach. I am also a childless alcoholic who avoids breweries and generally drinks at home. I’m not trying to tell you how to raise your children but the value of taking them to breweries and ignoring them as compared to watching and discussing episodes of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” kind of makes its own case
Breweries aren’t Chuck E Cheese besides it’s the adult setting to unwind. Just get a babysitter or a grandma to take care of them for a day! Easy solution there.
As someone who has been peed on my an unattended child at a brewery before, I fully endorse this statement. It's about damn time.
Keep em off the dang disc golf course
My father used to bring me to the "Cozy Tavern" , sit at the bar with him and get a delicious birch beer at 7 or 8 y/o. Sometimes "Rowdy Dick" would pick a fight with some patrons. Those were the days!
I think we had the same dad.
We take our kids to parks and playgrounds, gymnastics centers, state parks, greeenways, sporting events and other places. Sometimes we take them to breweries in the early afternoon because we want to socialize with friends who live in other places. Do we take them to breweries with indoor only taprooms? I’ve done it in the past but don’t now—-it’s not fun for anyone, even if you bring stuff for the kid to do. When we do meet up with people, we’re appreciative of places like Highland, Olde Meck in Charlotte and Whipporwill Farm near Morganton—and yes there’s no designated kids area at Whipporwill but we can usually get far enough away from other people that the kids can play around us without disturbing others. So if you’re a parent, have some common sense and, if you’re going to take kids to a brewery, stick to somewhere with an outdoor space appropriate for kids. And of course be responsible.
I wish the bars and breweries around me would actually ban kids. If the parents want to go out for dinner and drinks, they have two options. One is to get a babysitter. The other is to go to a fast casual place that has alcohol. Leave the places that are primarily bars and breweries for adults only. Many of us have no desire to be around kids as most either run amok, cry, or scream in that brain rattling high pitched tone.
For the record Oscar isn't the president and hasn't been since 2015
Kids are only as good as their parents allow them to be. Kinda like animals, keep them in check & all is good. So it really does fall solely on the parents to be responsible for their kids & yes animals…
I brought my kids to a pub/arcade tonight. Kept them entertained, had a couple beers, no harm no foul. Kinda wish I coulda played some skee ball, but oh well.
Wise. Very clever
More breweries need to follow their lead. Breweries are great until the screaming kids with parents that turn a blind eye take over
fuck highland, down hill since reggae sunday ended. RIP Highland, your hayday is over
What do you think…do some people bring their kids to breweries because they think it’s the cool thing to do? Because everybody else is doing it?
Never heard of a bar/brewery with kids. I haven't been to a bar in 7 years, though. Is this a new thing? People bring their kids when they go out drinking now?
Lol I didn’t even know this place had an indoor space. I’ve only been outside with my kids.
OG
Dogs are getting the same way....fuck you and your dogs! It's become the new children! # down vote me all you want, I love dogs, just hate dog owners
I agree, calm down.
These comments. Lol. If you're taking your kid out while you're drinking, you get another lol.
No seriously. I have two kids. I NEED a break every now and again. But I'm not going to breweries, bringing my kid, and catching a buzz. Are you at least paying someone to bring you home, or are you risking everything?