Not wanting to be around people drinking

[Newearringsplease]

DD is 15 and is going to our local city tomorrow to do some shopping with her friends. They had planned on going to the Botanist for a mocktail but her friends mum doesn't want her to be around people who are drinking! Surely it's a restaurant/cocktail bar not some grotty pub !

Girls can get leered at anywhere, but they’re more likely to get leered at by drunks in a bar, wouldn’t you say? Are the girls going to be up to dealing with unwanted attention from drunk adult men?

The more I think about it the more odd I think this is, can’t they just go to Costa?

It's a big restaurant that sells cocktails, it's not a pub!!!

People are different. I would just change the venue there are so many places they can go.

Ok it's the restaurant bar. Same principle though. I wouldn't be pleased at my 15 year old going to a bar. I'm with the other mum on this I'm afraid.

The Botanist is a bar

I just think it's better to know they are going for a nice drink in a nice place. Some kids are sneaking doing dreadful things

Even if you were a very young mum, anyone old enough to have a teenager should know that getting served with alcohol at a bar underage is not like it was when we were teens.

I don’t see that it’s any different than going for a nice pub meal. They aren’t more likely to be leered at in ops situation than they are shopping on the high street.

I'd be surprised if they get over the door.

Why are you encouraging a group of 15 years olds to go to a bar for mocktails?? I don't blame the other mum for not being happy about this because there really is no need.

@Newearringsplease girls may get leared at by creeps anywhere.

However in a bar they may meet nice but inappropriately aged man who believes they are 19. Who they fall for and perhaps put themselves in awkward situations while trying to keep up the pretence they are older, accepting a drink etc.

Encouraging? She's been planning a day out shopping with her friends and thought a posh drink would be fun!

Doesn’t matter whether it’s a nice bar or a grotty pub, it’s not an appropriate place for 15 year olds.

LL83 OK

I also think that, even if you're happy for 15 year olds to hang around bars, this thread demonstrates that clearly many parents wouldn't be.

I'd find it somewhat irritating to have my parenting decisions undermined by my DD's friend's mother because she wants to be the "cool" parent.

Honestly I don't think it's appropriate either.

It's emulating adult behaviour. They're going to sit there pretending to be drinking----at 15.

I'd be surprised if the management at The Botanist really want their establishment full of teenage girls pretending to be adult women taking up tables and cradling posh drinks. I'm sure the local licensing authority might raise an eyebrow at that too.

Cant they have a nice milkshake somewhere and stop pretending to be something they're not?

Cohle it's NOT a bar!

Also if you believe they're going for "mocktails" you'll believe anything.

It's a big restaurant that sells cocktails, it's not a pub!!!

Our Botanist isn't. Its a massive bar, bar in the centre of the room. A few tables for food down one side, then the restaurant part tucked in a back room. It seats about 30.

It is absolutely a bar that does food.

Honestly, OP, you’re being very naive. I’ve been off my tits in posh places, and don’t think posh people don’t go in for a bit of lunchtime drinking.

Again, OP - are these girls equipped with the skills to deal with drunk adult men bothering them?

THE BOTANIST IS A COCKTAIL BAR!

What do you think 'Botanist' refers to???

Ok, so it also serves food, but then so does a Wacky Warehouse, which is a more appropriate venue for a 15yr old to frequent-frankly.

Honestly, I think it’s this over the top attitude that leads to teenagers drinking vodka straight from a bottle down the back of alleyways and in empty car parks. Poor sensible girls can’t even go and drink a ‘mocktail’ and feel a little grown up sitting in cocktail bar without a massive fuss being made

PuffHuffle5 praise be the voice of reason! I thought I was going mad. Anyone would think I was dropping her off in soho

A pissed up middle aged man following a naive 15yr old girl into the toilets in a cocktail bar won't cause anyone any problems whatsoever. You're absolutely right.

Even their own website prioritises the drinking FFS. Yes it serves food, but believe me it’s primarily a bar. And regardless, that is the purpose they are going for - having a drink (albeit a non-alcoholic one) NOT dinner. They are wanting to emulate adult drinking behaviour in an adult drinking environment.

“A concept like no other, offering a soon to be world-famous selection of botanical cocktails, craft beers and ales, Champagne and wine. Food inspired by the deli, rotisserie and BBQ. With live music every night, sublime social times are guaranteed!”

CassianAndor you will find drunk men on buses and trains , should she never leave the house?