Should kids be allowed in pubs?

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

Currently having a heated debate with husband. Pub near us has just imposed a 'no kids' rule, which I'm happy about. We have teen kids but have never felt the need to take them into pubs unless going for a meal. Lots of the regulars in our local take their younger kids in while they have a sesh and leave them to run riot. The landlord won't stand up to them as they bring too much money in.

My view is that pubs are not a place for kids - they never were when I was younger. It's a place I go to escape from my own kids, so why do I have to put up with other people's? He thinks that kids won't learn how to behave in public unless they are allowed into places like pubs.

Opinions?

I prefer the kind of pubs where well-behaved kids with their families come in for lunches.
Pubs that are “hard drinking” all day long and unsuitable for children at lunchtime are not for me either tbh.

Your local, the regulars and landlord all sound a bit shit though. Sorry about that.

Should really have said some of the regulars, not lots. But they do spoil it for others.

I think pubs have changed a lot over the years and have had to become more family friendly in order to survive. It's not really acceptable to go to the pub and get hammered anymore, they're not allowed to serve drunk people. I see no problem in kids being allowed.

I think it depends on the pub to be honest. Some are geared towards family friendly atmosphere and I quite like that and I don't even have kids.

I think it should be child free after a certain time of day instead of banning completely perhaps after 5pm

No, I don’t think they are places for children. It normalises excessive drinking or day time drinking of alcohol.

Plenty of lovely child friendly places to eat whilst avoiding pubs.

I agree with @Oysterbabe , I was a 80s child and pubs rarely welcomed children , now to survive they encourage families and usually no problem. Of course I have encountered children that misbehave and parents reluctant to do anything but the majority I can't see the harm .

If it's marketed as a family friendly pub that also acts as a restraint that serves children food, then yes I think children should be allowed.

If it's a pub that doesn't specifically cater for children, no children shouldn't be allowed

But I think even in the family friendly places, if parents are letting their children run riot and disturb other people, they should be asked to leave.

Depends on the type of pub. A food focused family pub is fine for children but it's going to attract a certain type of person ie those with children and not people on a sesh! Equally a busy drinking pub is not suitable for children.

You'd hope parents would be able to assess this themselves but this is obviously not the case. In which case it's fair enough for the landlord to ban them or ban at certain times.

I think it depends on the type of place it is. Pubs with dedicated family zones are fine. Otherwise it's a no from me.
I can't understand why anyone thinks it's ok to take their child to a place where people are drinking alcohol, possible pissed, shouting and swearing etc.
There are far more appropriate places to go wirh children.

I don’t think there needs to be a hard and fast rule either way.

Depends on the pub. I think there are some lovely family friendly pubs but totally reasonable if other pubs are going for a more adult vibe.

Ok if the children are well behaved. But the minute I’m aware of shrieking kids running about then not ok.

YABVU. I very rarely go into pubs without my kids (who are 11 and 14). A family dog walk culminating in a pint and a lemonade for the dc is a regular weekend activity. Pub dinner reasonably regular, especially when we have visitors staying. All very civilised, family atmosphere. I'm pretty sure my dc have never seen anyone visibly drunk in any pub we've been in. I wouldn't want to go in a pub that was full of hammered people anyway tbh.

We have teen kids but have never felt the need to take them into pubs unless going for a meal.

So is the pub near you going to ban kids completely - even if going for a meal with parents?

With the rate pubs are closing I think they have to allow kids to keep their custom.

Pre-kids I'd have said absolutely not. Now expecting my first and I've changed my mind - funny that! I will obviously only be taking them to a child friendly/family orientated pub though, of which there are plenty round me.

No.

No. They get in my way and make noise.

I take my children out for meals in a pub during the day sometimes. But kids shouldn't be allowed in pubs after 7.

I'd fully support a full ban on under 18s apart from Sunday lunchtimes.

If people managed their children's behaviour I'd think differently, but so many times I've been in pubs with toddlers running around at 7pm and watching loud iPad videos, or causing havoc and nearly tripping people carrying pints while their parents pay zero attention.

It completely depends on the pub

Some have much more of a family feel to them than others

That's why I think the decision is best left to the Landlord/Landlady.

Some childfree/adults only places should be allowed, yes. A brilliant idea.

I suppose it's a business decision by the pub, based on the clientele they wish to attract. Personally, I would not go near a 'family' pub. It sounds like a contradiction in terms to me.

Gastro pubs yes, if eating, if just drinking no way!

One of the only things me & ex used to do as an "us" thing was go to t he pub to watch the football on Weekends. So many times it was ruined by kids running around and screaming.