Babies in Bars...

anvloveskme

https://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/03/02/brooklyn.babies.in.bars/index.html?hpt=C1

Did anyone else read this...what do you think about it?

AbJams

I think as long as the bar is non-smoking, and the parents aren't like, getting hammered, it's not a big deal. My parents took me to bars aaaaallll the tiiiiiime when I was a kid. But the thing about the strollers not in the bar, I totally get. That could be a fire hazard.

preppynewlywed

I'd do it if it were before busy hour.

I grab dinner in bars all of the time.  So I see nothing wrong with taking my kid along to eat.

I would not, however, take a stroller...and ATL isn't smoke free, so I have to be careful which I already am.

ryaroberts

AbJams:

I think as long as the bar is non-smoking, and the parents aren't like, getting hammered, it's not a big deal. My parents took me to bars aaaaallll the tiiiiiime when I was a kid. But the thing about the strollers not in the bar, I totally get. That could be a fire hazard.

Agreed! My dad used to take me and my sister to a neighborhood bar all the time when we were little.  I remember going and how much I loved that place!  They always gave me peel and eat shrimp and a grilled cheese and would let me play the mini bowling for free!  It was the best!

mghnmouse

I have seen another article on this, half written by a 20 something girl (non-parent) that hated the idea...and the other half by a Dad that brings his baby with him to the bar.

Honestly, this was the norm around the turn of the century and before prohibition came around (ugh). I have no problem with it at all as long as the parents aren't trying to parent the other adults in the bar, asking htme to watch their language, etc. I plan on acting like an adult in front of my children and teaching them that there are thing adults do/say that is simply NOT allowed for children. I'd take my baby to the bar with me, just like I plan on tailgating this football season with my baby. He/she is going to have to be with me at all times, as I am breastfeeding and I cartainly don't plan on being couped-up (sp) at home with LO. I need friends and the ability to be social too. I guess to each his own but, don't judge me when you see me out in the afternoon with my kid, it is mine after all and I don't plan on asking anyone else to pay for their counseling later in life... that's a joke btw.   

BTW FL is smoke free if the place serves food, which most do in my town.

Irishsapphire

My parents took me took a bar as a baby when our relatives once came to town in New Orleans.  I just slept through it. 

orienae

I think it's fine as long as parents use common sense.  Am I going to take my baby to a bar at 9pm on a Friday night that isn't also a grill?  Probably not.  And strollers shouldn't take up all of the viable real estate, bars can get busy, we all know it's difficult to find a place sometime.  But, if I want to take the baby to a bar on a Sunday afternoon or at 5pm on a Tuesday I don't see what the big deal is, assuming I'm not getting trashed.

 

Edit:  I also live in Chicago, every other place is a bar and some of the most popular places to live around here are filled with hipsters with babies, maybe it's just the culture.  It's also smoke free.

AbJams

ryaroberts:

AbJams:

I think as long as the bar is non-smoking, and the parents aren't like, getting hammered, it's not a big deal. My parents took me to bars aaaaallll the tiiiiiime when I was a kid. But the thing about the strollers not in the bar, I totally get. That could be a fire hazard.

Agreed! My dad used to take me and my sister to a neighborhood bar all the time when we were little.  I remember going and how much I loved that place!  They always gave me peel and eat shrimp and a grilled cheese and would let me play the mini bowling for free!  It was the best!

Totally. It was super fun for us too! People would give us money for the jukebox and pinball, the bartender/co-owner (RIP) would give us all the kiddie cocktails we could drink and since it was a bar and already loud we got to like, run around and be kind of WILD. But this was a neighborhood bar too, and my parents knew everyone who'd be there... so maybe it's different if it's a bar full of random hipsters

Dreamsicle23

I foresee my child being brought to a bar or two.  MA is non-smoking so that's no big deal.  There are a few places within walking distance that DH and I like to go just to get a beer or two, have some food and watch whatever game is on.  I also probably wouldn't do it later on a Friday or Saturday when it's really crowded.

AmandaJane1

I dunno...I might take my baby to a bar that serves food during meal time, or a sports bar on a weekend for a football game or something (there are some family friendly sports bars in my area and there are kids there all the time for big games). But I wouldn't bring my kid to a bar just to have a drink- that is a little weird to me. NY is smoke free too...I definitely wouldn't take LO to a bar where there is smoking!

Chickpea2010

AbJams:

I think as long as the bar is non-smoking, and the parents aren't like, getting hammered, it's not a big deal. My parents took me to bars aaaaallll the tiiiiiime when I was a kid. But the thing about the strollers not in the bar, I totally get. That could be a fire hazard.

 

Agreed. There is at least one smoke-free bar in Milwaukee that has toys for kids. Love it!

riserst

I am not sure if I would take my child to a bar. Maybe if it was a special occasion and I wanted to pop in real quick. I think that most of the bars require children to be out by 9:00 PM.

Most of the restaurants in the Houston have a bar area in them. I would not have a problem with taking my child there.

bigalb25

we saw a baby (6 months or so) and toddler in a smoky "bar" (Buffalo Wild Wings) around Christmas.  It was 11pm or so and the baby was sleeping in the stroller by itself in the corner.  The mom was wasted.  My SIL called the cops but they had left before the cops showed up.  oh boy!  turns out they were regulars and all the staff knew them.  we ended up getting kicked out of the bar later on.  it was an embarassing evening.  oi vay!

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julybaby23

I grew up in bars. We are Irish and lots of our family would meet at the pub for dinners/drinks on the weekends or on holidays. I think as long as you are respectful of other people (ie, get your kid out AS SOON as he/she is fussing) then it's ok. You can't sit at a bar with a baby in this state, but you can sit at a booth and eat. Bars are the only place I ever go.. but by bar, I mean "pub" or "tavern" where you can eat too. If you are just going to a drinking establishment it is a little weird.

mysticporter

It depends on the parents, and on the establishment.  It's the parents job to make sure the kid is behaving, not the other patrons, so they shouldn't have to stop cursing/smoking/whatever and they shouldn't have to listen to a child scream or trip over a stroller.  A lot of bars are pretty much restaurants (serve food, have tables, etc.), and I can easily see having a child at one of the tables.  Something like a night club, or bellying up to the bar itself with a kid?  Doesn't seem so appropriate.  I used to get patrons who thought it was cute to have their kid pull up a seat at the bar, but luckily at the time I was working in Florida and under 21, you aren't allowed.

CrysBo79

My grand parents and dad took me and my sister to bars all the time.  I loved it and the regulars were always great!  I think no strollers blocking anything and get them out of there early is okay!

harborview

I don't know, I have to agree with the girl quoted in this article that, at least in the context of this neighborhood/situation, these people are clinging to their youth. Go to a coffee shop, or a restaurant that serves alcohol if you want to have a drink and socialize. There is a difference in a restaurant with a bar, and a bar-bar.

I guess the question is, should these establishments be able to prohibit kids? Absolutely.