You’re craving a real conversation with your best friends, but there’s no sitter or co-parent to be found. Sure, you could meet up at the park, but it’s raining outside. You could invite your friend over, but the house is a mess. The good news is you don’t have to wait until the kids are in school to have an adult playdate again. We’ve searched the city for kid-friendly places that also provide opportunities for adults to have a little fun. In some cases, you’ll still need to do some supervising – but there’s plenty to occupy the kids – and in some cases, there’s free childcare.
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Imagine this: You and your buddies, gathered around the table, enjoying some of Portland’s finest organic beer. Meanwhile, your kids are laughing in a room with a play kitchen, toys and puzzles. It doesn’t have to be a fantasy. Hopworks Urban Brewery in Southeast Portland lets those two worlds collide in their upstairs dining room, situated around a dedicated space for kids to play. Tip: This place gets very busy on weekend nights, so consider hitting it up early or during the week. Or, check out the new Hopworks Bike Bar in Northeast Portland, which also has a small play space for kids.
Hopworks Urban Brewery
2944 SE Powell Boulevard
Portland, Or
503-232-4677
Online: hopworksbeer.com
Hopworks Bike Bar
3947 N Williams Avenue
Portland, Or
503-287-6258
Tabor Space
This community-supported, nonprofit coffee shop at the corner of the Mount Tabor Presbyterian Church offers a play area strategically placed so that is barricaded on three sides. Plop yourself and your friends at the table closest to the only opening and take comfort in the fact that your toddler can’t escape without running into you first.
Tabor Space
5441 SE Belmont Street
Portland, Or
503-239-3904
Online: taborspace.org
McMenamin’s–Kennedy School
Take your friend, and the kids, on a movie date. The McMenamin’s—Kennedy School in Northeast Portland offers family-friendly movies throughout the week, and even dedicates Mommy Matinees for those with fussy little ones. (Be sure to check the movie listings; movies for the Mommy Matinees typically are suited only for adults and children too young to care what’s on the screen.) Because the theatre shares a building with the McMenamin’s Pub, you can enjoy an adult beverage while you watch the screen. Tickets are $3 per person, $1 for children ages 2-11 and children under 2 are free.
McMenamin’s-Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd Avenue
Portland, Or
503-249-3983
Online: mecmenamins.com
Shopping trip to Ikea
Inexpensive rugs, cheap meatballs, and free child care for kids – Ikea has it all. Located by the Portland International Airport, it’s best to make the most of a mommy date to Ikea. You can drop off your potty-trained young child – be sure he or she meets the height requirement (36 to 50 inches) – at the child care center, enjoy a coffee in the cafeteria and pick up a few knick-knacks. Surely you could use some new spoons.
Ikea
10280 NE Cascade Parkway
Portland, Or
503-282-4532
Mississippi Pizza
This neighborhood joint offers kids the taste of Portland’s kindie scene every Monday at 5:00 pm. You can let the kids jam to Mr. Ben, while you and the adults settle into some pizza and beer. Sure, you may have to talk over some loud music, but it will be reminiscent of your pre-kid days.
Mississippi Pizza
3552 N Mississippi Avenue
Portland, Or
503-288-3231
Online: mississippipiza.com
Where do you like to meet your friends for playdates? Let us know in the comments section below.
–Tamara Miller
photo courtesy of kimubert via flickr, Tabor Space facebook page, Mississippi Pizza facebook page, Hopworks Urban Brewery facebook page
