What makes it happy hour? I took the photo & left the mess while I enjoyed my beer.
Tag Archives: beer
Help homeless kids, be happy
28 MayLooking for a great way to spend a Friday night? Enjoy animated classics and rock out with Caspar Babypants at the Ballard Community Center on Friday, 6/1.
This event is part of a series called “Kids Helping Kids Music & Movie Nights” organized by Wellspring Family Services. Wellspring is celebrating 120 years of helping Seattle area families through hard times.
Wellspring helps families avoid eviction, find housing, recover from domestic violence, and heal from the trauma of homelessness. It’s an amazing organization that deserves your support.
You can help in a variety of ways, from donating right now (click here, it’s that easy) to collecting coins to attending a Music & Movie Night. The next event is Friday, June 01, 2012 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in Ballard. The Ballard Community Center is located at 6020 28th Avenue NW, Seattle, WA.
Tickets are $15 and include kid-friendly refreshments & treats from Pepsi, Majestic Bay Theatre, Cabot Creamery and more! Wine from Silverlake Winery and Beer from Maritime Pacific Brewing Company will also be available for the grown-ups. These shows often sell out–get your tickets now!
Don’t miss this chance to go out, get happy!
Parenting is a job
25 MayI may not get benefits or L&I protection, but at least OSHA can’t keep me from drinking at my job site-. Unlike these guys, who are are going to have a rough time. Sounds like they’ll at least remain employed. I’m only slightly concerned their alcohol consumption may create a safety hazard, though it sounds like they’re not the most discreet consumers of alcohol on the market. They might be less than responsible in other aspects of their job. Who knows? It’s not as interesting a story to investigate if they’re actually doing a good job and may have been celebrating at work. Maybe there’s real news here, maybe it’s just a chance for reporters to collect comments on a story. Let’s all hope that the 520 bridge will be okay.
I often joke that beer makes us better parents, and I believe this can be true. Moderate alcohol consumption is a part of our culture, and social drinking is an opportunity to relax and connect. Booze can help us unwind and give us a little perspective on how important the kid’s undesirable behavior really is. It tastes good. I like it.
All jokes aside, drink responsibly. Model the kind of behavior you hope to see when your kid (almost inevitably) explores alcohol. Buy good beer. Recycle your bottles & cans. Don’t drive or parent drunk. Engage your friends if you’re concerned about their habits–ask directly how they are and tell them if you think you see a problem. Be responsive and thoughtful if someone engages you. If it’s a matter of a teetotaler judging your beer-a-night habit, feel free to let them know you appreciate their concern but you respectfully disagree. (Or tell them to go to hell–your call.) If it’s a matter of a close friend sharing their concern that you always have a drink in your hand…well, pay attention.
Alcohol addiction and outright inebriation are unsafe and unhealthy for the individual, their family and friends, and the greater community. Please, drink responsibly. Be happy, not stupid.
Happy Nap Hour!
23 May
Best of all worlds: sleeping baby, beer, books.
Inner Chapters was fantastic. I wish the owner all the best with her new baby. Thanks for the great times!
Cafe Flora
14 AprCafe Flora is my new (rediscovered) favorite place.
High chairs/booster seats: More than I’ve ever seen in one place.
Happy hour: oh yeah. One of my favorites. 3-6pm, good prices on great selection of small plates, plus drink specials.
Activities & safety issues: Good selection of toys and crayons. Kid books for sale. The fountain is both entertaining and potentially dangerous. Near the arboretum and Birth & Beyond.
Food/drink (for kids and adults): Great vegetarian food and incredible cocktails.
Transit access and/or parking: 2 lots, one about a block away. Street parking if you’re patient. I’m not a fan of transit to Madison Valley, but there are buses.
Accessibility for strollers & little legs: Please leave the stroller outside. Walkable for toddlers & bigger kids.
Restrooms and changing table: Comfy inflatable changing table, step stool for washing little hands.
Overall welcome (or not) towards kids & babies: Unbelievably friendly. Not just tolerant, but welcoming and engaged.
Beer makes us better parents
19 OctWe live just about a mile from Jefferson Park. Baby fell asleep walking over there yesterday, en route, so we stopped off at Victrola for coffee–yum! When we arrived at the park, she was still asleep, so we strolled around the park and watched the big kids tumble down the slide. Still asleep…what to do?
After a brief debate about why we’ve never gone there, we decided to check out the Jefferson Park Golf Course snack bar. Cue celestial singing–they have NFL Sunday Ticket! And beer! And fried things! Children are allowed! This is exactly what this Beacon Hill family needs. Baby gets to enjoy the park, mom and dad get to unwind with a frosty cold one.
Becoming a parent shouldn’t mean giving up the things you love. I love football and beer. Baby loves happy parents.
- Location & hours of operation: (206) 763-6412 4101 Beacon Ave S Seattle, WA 98108;
- Transit access and/or parking: parking available, walking distance from the Light Rail Station or take the #36 bus
- Accessibility for strollers & little legs: no stairs
- Cost: reasonable (less than $10)
- Activities & safety issues: walking distance to Jefferson Park, golf & mini golf on-site, televisions
- Food/drink (for kids and adults): Beer, wine, cocktails & snack food (cheeseburgers, fries, etc)
- Restrooms and changing table: table in women’s room, not technically a changing table but it works
- Overall welcome (or not) towards kids & babies: very family friendly
Pinball, beer, and baby
11 OctWhen my friend’s first child was born in 2005, our weekly pinball dates ended. We didn’t do the research to discover baby-friendly pinball venues. I’m happy to report that with my own baby I still enjoy the fwap of flippers, and there are many pinball palaces that welcome children. My scores are a little lower when I’m wearing the baby, but that gives me motivation to practice. Venues in bold serve alcohol.
Where do you like to play?
Full Tilt Ice Cream 3 locations: White Center, Columbia City, University District
- Pinball, ice cream, and beer. All ages, live music & other special events. Fun, inexpensive, low-key.
Beth’s Cafe 7311 Aurora Avenue North Seattle, WA 98103-5356
- 24 hours (attention, parents of newborns: why not go out at 2 a.m.?), diner food (including their famous bottomless hashbrowns). No alcohol.
Pinball at Stella's in Georgetown
Stellar Pizza and Ale House (Stella’s) 5513 Airport Way Blvd S Seattle, WA 98108
- Kids allowed on one side only. One pinball machine accessible to minors.
- Full menu–great pizza, lots of kid-friendly choices.
- Full bar & many outstanding beers.
Hurricane Cafe 2230 7th Ave (7th & Bell)
- A bit seedy, but several good machines
- Full diner menu & full bar
- 24 hr; great place for teens after an all-ages show (with supervision–it’s seedy)
Calamity Jane’s 5701 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 9810
- Really, really good food & full bar with great beer and wine
- A couple of machines
Sureshot 4505 University Way NE Seattle, WA 98105-4510
- Coffee shop with some awesome old machines in the back room
Seattle Waterfront Arcade, at the south end of the waterfront
- Arcade games, pinball, and a carousel
Seattle Center has some pinball machines in the arcade area. There are two places with beer in the Center House.
High Chair Happy Hour 