12 YO in pub tonight?

[Moltenpink]

Myself & 12 YO DS are meeting some relatives for dinner later. The other adults in the party are meeting in a small pub for a quick drink at 5pm prior to moving on to the restaurant. Would it be totally inappropriate to take my DS for a lemonade?

What? Of course not. Why would it be?

It's fine.

They might not want him in the pub. It changes the dynamic. I would just meet them at the restaurant. If they haven't invited you and your son there first. Then ....

Why would it be inappropriate?

Depends, if you're planning on doing a jäger train with them I think you'll get some judgement due to their age
But if you're planning to get them a soft drink and all sit and be civilised I think it's fine!

It's usually fine until about 8...

Why would it be a problem? There are a few pubs in our city I wouldnt take a kid in at anytime of day but then I wouldn't go in them myself either. Most pubs kids are fine up until about 8pm/9pm and then others like most of the chain pubs that also do food kids are fine at anytime.

It would depend on the pub's license, I would check first before heading out.

It’s 6pm in our area. But each place is different. Call ahead before?

Thanks everyone. It was the changing the dynamic part I was concerned about. I normally just give the pub part a miss, but DS has asked if he could join. Other relatives will be fine with it, it’s the pub regulars I’m not sure on

At 5pm I wouldn't have thought it was a problem.

So what if the pub regulars don't like it? They can't do anything about it.

Ring the pub and ask.

I always ring ahead. Most of the time they say it's fine but occasionally they say no. Sometimes they tell me it's because of their licence.

Are you worried about regulars or your friends?
Regulars will be fine, a 12 year old in very different from a toddler. We have a very traditional pub near us and kids are fine before 7.

If your friends, I'd find it odd if they were funny about it.

Most pubs will be fine with that but worth checking, a few don't allow children (rare)

At 5pm it’s fine!

My child spent half her life socialising in pubs. Kids are kicked out at 7 usually but at 12 they’d probably be allowed to stay even then. Pubs make more money out of families than drinkers

He's 12 not 2.

I can't see why it would be a problem.

A 12YO in a pub at 5pm is fine!! And the evening involves him anyway so there’s no dynamic to change.

I really don't think you need to be worried about changing the dynamic of the pub regulars at 5pm in the afternoon, I doubt anyone will even notice a 12 year old having a lemonade before going off for dinner. I'm a regular in our local pub and this is perfectly normal.

I really don't see the issue. DD went with us to pubs since she is born for meals. Now she would be mostly on her phone with the odd comment to us if we would stop for a drink first.

If you haven't been there before I would check if there is a timelimit for children, some pubs which are not serving meals do have license restrictions.