A wine bar that’s kid-friendly? No, it’s not a typo. Thanks to Raleigh’s Sip and Stroll program, patrons can grab glasses of wine and head across the street to Midtown Park, or parents can snag a table on the outdoor patio and still keep eyeballs on kids. It’s an ideal setup for parents looking for a refined feeling happy hour experience and a place for kids to get all their wiggles out. Vita Vite boasts one of Raleigh's best-rotating wine selections and “choose your own adventure” cheese boards. Grab a bowl of cheese straws for the kiddos to snack on while you enjoy a glass of sparkling rose. 

Co-owner Matt Golden has two kids, so he knows something about keeping children and parents entertained. Think live music four to five days a week, big screen TVs streaming the Canes’ games, and lawn games all on the predominantly fenced-in yard. Try one of the sparkling CBD waters if you need a chill pill. If you’re ready for something a bit heavier hitting, try the Pinehurst Transfusion, a refreshing mix of grape juice, vodka, ginger beer, and ginger ale. Kids and adults rave about the mozzarella sticks and NY-style pizza, quintessential fuel for bopping along to the classic tribute bands headlining the stage. To make the floppy pizza more manageable for kids, ask for it to be “double cut.”

There’s always sidewalk chalk for the outdoor patio space (which conveniently is fenced in) and games, like Giant Jenga and Foosball, that the whole family can enjoy. But the red double-decker bus parked inside the brewery is the real show stopper here. Sip on the Hopthalmologist Hazy IPA or one of the other 14 beers on tap or a glass of wine and enjoy the laid-back vibe while the kids take turns “driving” the bus. There are light bites, like bags of chips, but there’s typically a food truck on the outdoor patio for a bit of a more substantial option.

Find a sea of strollers and families in the back beer garden here whenever the weather is nice outside. The space isn’t massive, which means two things: a buzzy, controlled chaos-type vibe and grade-A communal parenting. Kids often congregate together to play in the grass (bring a few toys to throw into the mix) or roam the adjacent Raleigh City Farm, which means parents might get to have a full conversation. Drink favorites include a rotating seasonal frozen margarita, the spicy tequila-based Chupacabra cocktail, and several original beers brewed in-house. There’s a killer grilled cheese for kids and several dips worth ordering two of from the get-go, like the Maryland-style crab dip.

This cavernous space will muffle the sounds of any rowdy youngsters if you want to sit inside and not worry about them disturbing others. Every table on the expansive outdoor patio has an umbrella for shade if little ones need more of a wide-open space for antics. A full bar will satisfy any drink craving for adults, and there’s ample choice for anyone who needs a bite. Kids can grab a slice of pizza from Benchwarmers Bagels (5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday- Saturday) or can skip straight to the good stuff with an ice cream cookie sandwich from Captain Cookie & the Milkman.