Kids in pubs?

[Crackle]

"Children taken to pubs by parents are running riot like "baby lager louts", ruining the enjoyment of other customers, it is claimed today. Editors of the Good Pub Guide have received dozens of complaints from readers about children's behaviour as pubs try to make themselves more family-friendly."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/oct/14/drugsandalcohol-children

Well why not. Sitting outside with a nice pint and a meal while the kids hit the climbing frame...

Let's keep it lighthearted please as it's in Cafe

 

[Mr Pig]

As long as they don't get too drunk I don't see what the problem is.

 

[ianrauk]

Oh for the days of being a kid standing outside a heavilly drapped windowed pub, door opening slighty ajar, a hand thrust through with a bottle of coke and a bag of crisps.

 

[Fnaar]

There's something very very different about a British pub and a continental caff/restaurant. I've lived abroad (before I had kids) mostly in Spain, and it was quite normal and quite unobtrusive to have kids running about in bars etc while people drank, ate, smoked, shouted at the telly when the footy was on, etc (no smoking now, I think... not been in a while). If kids were there in evenings, they were usually outside playing on the street and coming in to pester mum or dad for a lemonade.
A British pub is a different kettle of fish. I don't take my kids to pubs, as I find they aren't particularly welcome... neither, as a customer, do I like kids in pubs... not sure why, but my parents used to take us sometimes, and I hated going... found the atmosphere uncomfortable, and the people a bit seedy (not my parents, of course ).
No matter how much we might try to 'impose' a cafe culture here, it won't really work, as the doors will usually be closed, and the people simply aren't as laid back as our continental cousins (I love Spain, best blimmin' place to live ever invented! )

 

[jassy-x]

Well why not. Sitting outside with a nice pint and a meal while the kids hit the climbing frame...

...yes....I'm sure most of us will enjoy that now and then...but there comes a time when I like to go for a pint to 'get away' from kids...

 

[Bodhbh]

Oh for the days of being a kid standing outside a heavilly drapped windowed pub, door opening slighty ajar, a hand thrust through with a bottle of coke and a bag of crisps.

heh, aye, or been locked outside in the car with a bag of crisps.

 

[ChrisKH]

There's something very very different about a British pub and a continental caff/restaurant. I've lived abroad (before I had kids) mostly in Spain, and it was quite normal and quite unobtrusive to have kids running about in bars etc while people drank, ate, smoked, shouted at the telly when the footy was on, etc (no smoking now, I think... not been in a while). If kids were there in evenings, they were usually outside playing on the street and coming in to pester mum or dad for a lemonade.
A British pub is a different kettle of fish. I don't take my kids to pubs, as I find they aren't particularly welcome... neither, as a customer, do I like kids in pubs... not sure why, but my parents used to take us sometimes, and I hated going... found the atmosphere uncomfortable, and the people a bit seedy (not my parents, of course ).
No matter how much we might try to 'impose' a cafe culture here, it won't really work, as the doors will usually be closed, and the people simply aren't as laid back as our continental cousins (I love Spain, best blimmin' place to live ever invented! )

Would agree entirely. I don't feel comfortable in a pub. Most of them are filled with losers round my way looking for a fight and the music is too loud to allow conversation, etc. The pubs with food, well, sorry the food is just not good enough. Carvery food is over cooked and for the masses. Decor is tired usually. Inhabitants are scary to be honest. I'd rather stay at home. The problem with pubs is, they are open to the public. So it attracts all sorts. So yes, whilst life is a rich tapestry, I'd rather not be in that part of the tapestry where the underage drinker has collapsed in their own vomit under the table..............

 

[Crackle]

Well some pubs are obviously not suitable, I know in Scotland they have to have a childrens license don't they?

What's wrong with a nice country pub, Sunday lunch etc... I mean how're kids going to learn how to behave and act responsibly in a pub unless you teach them.

I'm always slightly surprised by friends who have children pulling faces when kids make an appearance in a pub/restaurant, like they never take their own there.

What I don't like are these pubs which have huge childrens facilities and a rip-off kids menu, they're a step too far.

 

[Landslide]

I've no problem with people of any age being in pubs, as long as their behaviour is considerate of others. If kids/Hooray Henry types/rugby teams etc. can't behave then they can sling their hooks.

 

[rich p]

It depends. In Brighton there are pubs/bars which are suitable for kids and others that are clearly not. There is often a difference in atmosphere at different times of the day too. I don't want young kids running around my local when I'm getting bladdered later on but I'm happy for slightly older ones to be there sitting down.
TBH, I don't want anyone, kids or otherwise, to be running round. (I might make an exception for the 2 barmaids in my local)

 

[ChrisKH]

Well some pubs are obviously not suitable, I know in Scotland they have to have a childrens license don't they?

What's wrong with a nice country pub, Sunday lunch etc... I mean how're kids going to learn how to behave and act responsibly in a pub unless you teach them.

I'm always slightly surprised by friends who have children pulling faces when kids make an appearance in a pub/restaurant, like they never take their own there.

What I don't like are these pubs which have huge childrens facilities and a rip-off kids menu, they're a step too far.

Sure, but even then I am still confused as to where children are welcome and where they are not. I have visited some "country" pubs where there are no facilities inside for children and have been told that children are not alllowed in the bar. Why not? How can you educate children about responsible use of alcohol, when pubs are forbidden territory to children? I'm not disagreeing with you, but the culture just doesn't support a child's use of public houses except in the restaurant. Then you're in the restaurant, not the pub.

 

[Fnaar]

The key here is the getting bladdered bit... I enjoy getting bladdered from time to time but it's just something that yer Spaniards (for example) don't really do, at least not in public (although people get quite royally p!$$ed during fiestas.
However, the Spanish youngsters these days do it in parks in what they call a "botellon", but still, while they may be very noisy, the associated threatening behaviour and violence that is often found here in Blighty is rare over there.

 

[Maz]

Not that I frequent pubs very often (being teetotal) I must admit to feeling intimidated sometimes when I see people who are drunk. Being worse for wear, they tend to utter the occasional racist comment under their breath.

 

[dodgy]

I don't like it when I notice kids in pubs.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

British culture is generally rather more hostile to children than most continental European cultures. It's not unconnected that we have the biggest teenage crime problem, and the highest rate of imprisonment in Europe... it's fear masquerading as concern.

Sorry, that was a bit too P&L - but I much prefer the continental atttitude to kids, where they get taken out for food and drink with adults (because it is pretty much always 'food and drink' not just 'drink') and they eventually just fall asleep... one French friend was telling me the story of how an English couple started accusing them of 'child abuse' because their children were out with them at 10pm.