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My friend Shelley lives in England. Every time she comes to America, she comments on the same thing—a lack of pubs that allow children. “Back home,” she explains, “we have pubs with playgrounds.”

VCB logoWhile Thurston County may not yet have the social norm of sandboxes with our Saisons, we do have a smattering of restaurants around the county that welcome kids and serve beer. For the intent of this article, we are going to narrow it to four restaurants that serve local beer, making them the perfect places to bring family and visiting guests with children in tow.

Iron Rabbit

family dining olympia
Warm crab chowder, cold local beer, and a quiet happy child. Greatness can be achieved at Iron Rabbit restaurant. Photo credit: Nikki McCoy.

Iron Rabbit, on the Westside of Olympia, welcomes families with young children from the moment they get to the door—the universal breastfeeding welcome logo is stickered on the glass window. Once inside, crayons and a kids’ menu keep little ones busy. Chicken and rice, alfredo, and fish sticks are a few dinner choices. And according to one 10-year-old connoisseur, “you can tell the lemonade is fresh, it’s not like the stuff from a soda machine.” For adults, the rancher burger, prawn bacon linguini, and coconut Thai curry are just a few options. O-town Brewing is the local go-to on tap and rotates seasonally.

Iron Rabbit
2103 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia
360-956-3661

Three Magnets Brewing Company

family dining olympia
A refreshing in-house beer is the perfect way to wash down those bites your toddler left behind. Three Magnets Brewing Company is one Thurston County option for local favor both on the plate and in the glass. Photo courtesy: Three Magnets Brewing Company.

Three Magnets Brewing Company, in downtown Olympia, is a great place to take kids and adults who want to gather and celebrate fine food, great beer, and each other’s company. The kid-friendly menu features items such as BLT, cheese quesadilla, cheeseburger, personal sopes, and house-made root beer. For the more sophisticated palette, a meal such as fish and chips, vegan flatbread, or elk sliders pair perfectly with any 3 Mags (as it is affectionately known) beer on tap. Plus, you can fill and take a growler to go. As a bonus, both the men’s and women’s bathrooms offer changing tables, a feature anyone dining with a baby knows is rare.

Three Magnets Brewing Company
600 Franklin St. SE, Suite 105, Olympia
360-972-2481

Ramblin’ Jacks

summer cocktail olympia
Ramblin Jack’s expert mixologist Keli Ray Logan muddles their to-die-for Lavender Cosmo with ease.

Ramblin’ Jacks is another local spot that appreciates family dynamics. An expansive kid’s menu offers grown-up style food choices in kid pleasing options. For adults, dine on traditional barbecue or opt for the Cowgirl salad. A refreshing beer choice is always on hand at Ramblin’ Jacks in downtown Olympia. Make a reservation before attending a show at The Washington Center or Harlequin Productions, both easy walks from the centrally-located restaurant.

Ramlin’ Jacks
520 – 4th Avenue East, Olympia
360-754-8909

The Ram

The Ram Restaurant & Brewery in Lacey is a great choice for families looking for something to please everyone. Seasonal beers are on the top of the online menu because they know, if you’re going to a brewery to eat dinner, beer is part of the plan. The lunch menu even boasts a shorty beer, for the times you want the flavor, but not the fullness. This restaurant has multiple locations in the South Sound and has been around since 1971. The Ram offers an extensive menu and signature dishes such as the Big Red IPA baby back ribs.

The Ram
8100 Freedom Lane NE Suite C, Lacey
360-923-5900

For more information on adults-only local taprooms, Take a Thurston County Taproom Tour.

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