Brewery patrons debate whether children should be allowed inside drinking establishments
One of Sydney’s most popular breweries has weighed in on an age-old debate about whether children should be allowed in drinking establishments after the topic was reignited in a new viral video.
The longstanding issue has raged on Reddit forums in Australia for years, as parents and punters war it out.
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But the contentious subject has recently resurfaced after an American woman, Zoe, fired up on TikTok about the widespread gripe.
“Why are there four-year-olds with iPads tripping servers carrying six beers while I am trying to cry about a boy while getting drunk midday,” she said, while also acknowledging she wasn’t entitled to a child-free world.
“Why is your five-year-old daughter playing giant Jenga and ruining everything for everybody? It’s giant Jenga because it’s for big people; you’re a tiny little baby person. Go home and play regular-sized Jenga.
“This is a brewery. This is where we go to get day drunk and cry, and get hungover by 6 p.m.
“I do not think I am entitled to a child-free world, but I do think we are all entitled to a child-free brewery. Leave them at home.”
One of Sydney’s most popular breweries, Chuck and Son’s Brewing Co. in St Peter’s, has weighed in on the lively debate.
Scott Hahn, the business’s founder, told news.com.au its doors are open to everyone — a stance that is gaining more momentum in Australia.
“Yes, that means your dog. Yes, that means your friend with the interesting outfit. Yes, that means your uncle with the big opinions. Yes, that means parents. And also? Their kids,” Mr Hahn said.
He added it was all too rare in 2025 to find a place that welcomed everyone, and he was proud and humbled to be able to provide that.
“Of course, we’re well aware that some people prefer to have some space away from kids, so we are fairly deliberate in the way we seat our guests,” Mr Hahn said.
“We are lucky to have a large venue that includes a dining room with a big screen that – yes – is often playing Bluey, which houses many families on a week-to-week basis.
“But we also have a great bar area with a nine-metre-long bar, intimate lounges and a pool table, which tends to be more of our ‘adults-only’ zone. With two terraces as well, which seem to attract both adults and kids quite happily.”
The publican added that since opening its doors in May 2024 “everyone has been able to cohabit nicely” in the space.
“We don’t ask for kids to be out by a particular time, but we also know that parents aren’t silly,” Mr Hahn continued.
“By 8 p.m., if your child isn’t in bed, they’re not making your life very fun. So it’s a natural cause and effect that by 7:30 p.m., more often than not, our venue is an adults-only escape.”
On social media, the conversation raged on, with many giving their 2 cents on the situation.
Some slammed Zoe’s take, claiming her video was “entitled.”
“If a brewery serves food, it’s a restaurant. And I’ll take my kids there. I’m trying to enjoy my day too,” one parent argued.
Another said, “If the brewery is a restaurant, then kids will be there. Go to a 21 and over BAR.”
“Breweries and wineries for families, bars are for the singles and childless,” one argued.
One added: “You’re not entitled to anything. If a business allows kids, expect kids. If they don’t, then you don’t. Not that hard.”
However, others backed Zoe and agreed the venues should be child-free.
“One time I went to a brewery to chat with friends, and a mom told me to watch my language around her kid TAKE THEM HOME. I’M DRINKING BEER AND YAPPING. If you bring your kid to adult spaces, they’re gonna hear adult convos,” one said.
One added: “Raised four children without ever bringing a single one of them to a brewery. never even considered it. I’ve also never visited a Chuck E. Cheese without them. different spaces serve different purposes.”
“Also, why are people so comfortable bringing children to a place where the entire point is consuming alcohol?” another said.
One commented: “Yes. Yes. Yes. I am a parent. Who also loves beer and breweries. There is zero reason a child needs to be at a brewery. You want to include your children in an outing? Take them to dinner. Not a friggin brewery.”
Hahn said his Sydney venue had pretty firm rules on how kids should behave, such as they can’t run due, shoes need to stay on at all times, and parents must always supervise their children.
He added that the venue has a kids’ corner that was stocked with toys, a blackboard, and colouring supplies, so often times there was no issue enforcing the rules.
“Families, parents, and kids all deserve to have a place to call their home away from home,” he said.
“A place where they feel welcomed, can take a load off, and can enjoy some well-deserved time together. We feel really strongly that our venue can be a place of connection, sociability, and enjoyment, and who doesn’t need that?
“Also, parents’ lives can be difficult. Joyful, of course, but difficult. You’re rushing from work, to soccer training, to a parent-teacher meeting, to supermarket shopping, to washing uniforms, and everything in between.
If we can make life just that little bit easier for those parents who are carrying so much, we’re doing our job.”
He said adults without kids are more than welcome to pull up a seat at the bar, enjoy a drink, and food from the award-winning Tony Eats.
“We can also offer you a colouring sheet, but presume that’s probably not what you have in mind,” Mr Hahn said.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
