15 family-friendly SA pubs
Pub meals are as Australian as throwing a shrimp on the barbie and beach cricket. Whether it’s a Sunday session, or Friday night dinner, the pub has long been an Aussie favourite. But the way we dine changes once kids come along.
So we’ve searched for our favourite family-friendly pubs that offer a little something extra for the kiddies.
1. Uraidla Hotel
Uraidla
You’ll find chickens, a beehive, veggie patches and loads of space to safely roam and explore at the historic Uraidla Hotel. Set in the idyllic Adelaide Hills, the hotel offers the ultimate kids haven while mum and dad can enjoy some peace eating a meal and keeping a watchful eye. There’s plenty of room to run around complete with lawn space, play equipment (which is not fenced so young children need to be surpervised) and games. Curb your hunger with your choice of a café menu (think pastries, coffee and babycinos) or a restaurant menu complete with a ‘Mini Farmers’ Fare’ option for children aged 12 and under. The beer garden is also dog friendly.
2. Settler’s Tavern
Ingle Farm
Free meals, cupcakes and a playground are in store for children at the Settler’s Tavern. On Monday nights children eat for free when an adult orders a main meal. The children’s menu is a little different to what you might be used to at the pub. You’ll find rainbow cheese toasties, pirate or unicorn cheeseburgers and dinosaur-shaped nuggets among the offerings. Kids can also decorate a cupcake while they enjoy their free soft drink or juice. How fun!
3. Enfield Hotel
Clearview
Not only do kids up to the age of 12 eat dinner free Monday to Thursday at the Enfield Hotel, but there’s also an enclosed indoor playground, so parents can keep a watchful eye from their table. Children’s musician Johnny Star will entertain the children on Friday nights with music and games.
4. Aldgate Pump Hotel
Aldgate
Eat inside by the fire or out in the beer garden, and you’ll be able to keep an eye on the kids while they play on the outdoor playground at the Aldgate Pump Hotel. There’s a kids’ menu available, which is offered free on Monday nights. Fur-babies (dogs) are also welcome in the playground area and beer garden.
5. The Bridgewater Inn
Bridgewater
Located about 20 minutes from Adelaide, The Bridgewater Inn boasts a huge open outdoor space, which includes a nature play area thanks to the creek running through it. Kids will spend hours exploring and climbing the rocks while parents can enjoy a meal and keep a watchful eye from the two-level beer garden. Dogs are also welcome (and have their own menu). Another bonus for families – the pub is located next to the Bridgewater Playground and adjacent the Heysen Trail.
6. Paradise Hotel
Paradise
Two cinema rooms with big screens show a range of kids’ movies to keep children entertained while parents enjoy a meal at the newly renovated Paradise Hotel. These can also be booked for birthdays. Children can also get an entertainment pack with their pick from the kids’ menu.