TO Think That a Four-Year Old's B-Day Party Shouldn't be in a Bar That Backs on to a Car Park?

[ChocolateIsAFoodGroup]

That is just bloody weird, isn't it?!

To be fair to the parents, the party was supposed to be held in a regular park, but they said on the invite that they had 'Top Secret Rainy Day Plans!' When the day came, and was in fact rainy, they revealed that the party was going to be in (pseudonym) 'McAvoy's Bar' in a really dodgy area of West Oakland (yes, the Oakland where the shootings were, no, not close to where that was). DH was a bit skeptical about my going, but I thought, why not?

On the way there (really was a dodgy area) we had to avoid a car going the wrong way down a pavement (why did I not turn back now?), got to the Bar (which was an actual bar - did I think they meant a soft play space?!) which backed on to an enclosed car park, surrounded by (not kidding) garages and car work shops. Luckily the rain eased off a bit so we didn't have to spend all the time in the bar (they weren't actually serving alcohol - I just still think it's weird) - but unluckily for us this meant that we got to spend the rest of the party playing in the car park, dodging the wet oil slicks (that my two year old tried to eat - natch - while DS one played with his friends).

I think the kids actually had quite a fun time as one of the dads produced a car that he'd make (kit car?) and they all got to swarm around that. Also there was pizza!

But I still think this is weird - no? Thoughts?

is this a joke??

if not do you really have a problem

no smoking in bars now,maybe they dont have much choice where they live/location

atleast they had a party and had the good sight to arrange a second venue incase of rain

what really is the problem

Mmm, a bit, but I think all kids parties in a pub/bar are odd! I have been to loads of baptisms and the party after was in a pub, I mean WTF has that got for a child to do? It says more about where the parents want to be imo.

also no alchol you said,id think that was more strange to be honest if it was in pub

but i suppose if this was a somebodys house and wine.beer was avaliable that would be ok then !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So you really don't think this is weird? (And I should clarify - day time party, no smoking in the bar, no drinking).

I just thought it was a really odd choice of venue and spent the whole party being really uncomfortable. Also weird hippy-type parents who spent the party talking about their glory days at Burning Man in the CA desert....

you sound weird and snobby

but this was the second choice not there first

basically was a room the kids were in,not much different than hiring a hall,maybe bit different if general public were wondering about i suppose

Doesn't sound that bad to me. Parties in Working Men's Halls are fairly common round here so they are effectively 'in a bar', some parents even have a drink - the horror!!

The kids had fun, there was nothing dangerous or inappropriate going on. Meh.

OK - fair dos! I asked.....

Why do I ever post on AIBU, I ask myself!!!

I think the thing that really weirded me out was the playing in a car park dodging the oil spills - I wouldn't certainly not be against a glass of wine

'Why do I ever post on AIBU, I ask myself!!!'

To get the uncomfortable truth?

Arf at 'weird hippie-type parents', please expand on the description they sound interesting.

Doesn't sound that bad if there was no alcohol (I've often provided alcohol at our childrens parties), just that they needed someplace in case it rained, not that different from a hall or that.

As for baptisms, usually it's more for adults to get together and celebrate so see no problem having a do in a bar or lounge. We had our kids christening in the lounge of a pub, but maybe we are just common.

it's different but hardly weird really. Are you a bit odd?

YANBU. Alcohol is mandatory at a childrens party. As for the other stuff, I agree with 2shoes.

Only been to one party in a pub. The child lived there and his parents were the owners/landlords. The birthday child was happy. Some of the other kids were a bit bored the first year as there was nothing for them to do and they were very young. The following year there were party games and a bouncy castle and my DD really liked the party.

It sounds like a bad choice of venu, some people are not very good at thet sort of thing. But the kids had fun. So no harm done.

Snob.

Parents probably know the owner. Meh.

I am a weird hippy type parent. I hand out these when DS has a birthday party. He's 4!

Don't most pubs have a car-park?

Yanbu about playing in the car park, but hiring a pub/club/hall is not unusual.

Well, I think it would be a great experience to attend the Burning Man, if only I didn't fade quickly in heat.
I do think having kids playing in a parking lot for a birthday party is pretty stupid. People don't have kids parties in bars here,kids are not allowed in bars here, so to me it is a wonky idea, but I imagine it would be similar to a licensed bowling alley or restaurant, during the day?

Minus the bowling alley and games rooms, and good food.
What did they serve to eat?

Are you new to the Bay Area? Because shootings in Oakland are not that unusual, albeit not usual mass ones, and the conversation sounds typical for the area.

It is, after all, near Berkerley.