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?

In Scotland there are no children allowed in bars by law after 8pm. Is that not the same in England? On the whole I thought your licensing laws were stricter than ours.

I’m from Northern Ireland but now live in London and I love when I go home and get to go to pubs without children! I come from a small town with 4 pubs and none allow children at any time, and I love it. If I go out on a Saturday and have got a babysitter, choose a pub which is meant to be no children and turn up and there’s kids I hate it, I dont want to have to watch my language and not get drunk (don’t say I shouldn’t get drunk, I will if I want) and get disapproving looks from parents because our group is having a laugh and some craic.

Depends on the type of establishment. I’m only interested in going to pubs where the food is the focus and people might have an accompanying drink or two. See no reason kids can’t be in that type of establishment.

Places where people go primarily to drink, should be adults only.

Kids are allowed into plenty of public spaces where they can learn to behave appropriately. It's perfectly fine to have some spaces where they aren't allowed, and pubs (of the non-foodie kind) naturally fall into that category.

In Scotland there are no children allowed in bars by law after 8pm. Is that not the same in England?

They're allowed in the areas where food is being served, which these days is most areas of most pubs.

Depends on the pub
Charlie chalks has made a living out of it
Same goes for table table

Some pubs are fine for those with well behaved kids who's dps give them something to do like a colouring book or something

However, some pubs are more grown up and deserve to be child free places

This is talking of someone who as kid frequented a lot of pubs

Also pubs which have child friendly parts and not so much are perfectly acceptable

Kids shouldn't be in pubs. Pubs are for people aged 18+

Too many pubs near me allow kids in and it's a pain on a Saturday to find somewhere that hasn't been taken over by large groups of parents getting slowly sozzled whilst their kids gets more and more bored, and consequently get in the way of staff and punters and even sometimes wander out the pub completely. It's not a good example of parenting in my view.

One of our locals took on feedback regarding this and banned kids after 7pm. It's a good compromise, but I'd like it to be earlier at 5pm. If I want to meet my friend for a drink on a weekend afternoon I don't want to be sat next to a table of toddlers.

After 7pm, no, unless the pub is very heavily focused on eating rather than drinking. However even that is the thin end of the wedge, because our local used to have a 7pm curfew but never dared to impose it. The little blighters were still climbing all over the pool table at 8pm. We stopped going in the end, having moaned to the landlord many a time. He agreed with us but did naff all.

Pubs are adult spaces, children shouldn't be allowed.

I take the baby to pubs quite often. Sunday lunch with family. Coffee and cake with other mums. The occasional post dog walk pint and portion of chips.

Obviously I’m not about to take him clubbing with me in his sling and the pubs we do frequent seem quite happy to have our custom.

If my kids weren’t welcome we wouldn’t go to pubs. We’re reasonably regular visitors for meals or maybe just snacks and drinks. But my kids know how to sit at a table, not run off or create too much noise. We have a bag with us with small toys, colouring books and crayons too invade they get bored. But they are part of the conversation, not ignored like I see so frequently.

Our local pub allows children and it's fine. It's a nice little local, just in edge of countryside, quite small, honest pub grub and not trying to be a faster place. Children always welcome and never had announce of issues with unruly children.
It isn't specifically for children but will serve small portions, doesn't have a high chair etc but I'd say it's definitely known as being family and dog friendly.
Glad they allow children - we've taken dd to eat there since we moved in when she was 3 and she's now 17.

It really does depend on the pub type and more importantly the general clientele I suspect too

biboat

Why the limit in alcohol when there’s no limit at home? As long as children are being supervised I don’t see what one/both/any of the parents may drink is relevant.
If the parent is shit faced and the children are out of control then of course ask them to leave. But you’d ask out of control children to leave even with sober parents!
So families can’t go out after work for a birthday dinner etc? Which would easily take it past 7.

Entirely at the discretion of those running the pub.

People aren't entitled to a childfree drinking space or a space for their kids to learn to behave appropriately. The owners can simply decide to run the venue however suits them best.

Depends on the type but after 9pm no kids should be the law even in food oriented pubs

I don't like pubs or being around alcohol but its such a British thing... if i had the choice id go to one with children because they will not have alcoholics usually and less rowdiness..i would take kids noise over drunkards any day all day

The pleasant pubs if i can call them that have food abd families.. no kids ones tendd to have very heavy drinkers, cheaper booze.

Pubs have improved out of all recognition since children were allowed in. If your local has a guv'nor that can't make parents control their children that's a problem with the guv'nor not with the children.

What Zero said x 1000.

i would take kids noise over drunkards any day all day
Good for you .Why go to a pub in the first place . Go to soft play instead.

Pubs have improved out of all recognition since children were allowed in.

Not for those who don't want their adult spaces overrun with other people's children, they haven't.

If your local has a guv'nor that can't make parents control their children that's a problem with the guv'nor not with the children.

Oh please. I can imagine the indignation of the parents. How dare you tell me my little Tobias is acting like a brat? Parents always think their own children are cute and adorable, though others don't see it in quite the same way.

I have 3 children teen, tween, toddler and I have always taken them out to eat, restaurants and pubs. It’s been such a regular thing that they know they are to behave and sit nicely. We play eye spy and other games to keep the occupied or just chat about family stuff. They wouldn’t dream of running around or making a racket as they know there would be consequences. If the toddler in crying I will take them out to the car and sit with them till the situation is calmed. I would hate to think that any child of mine was negatively impacting other diners experience.

As much as I enjoy the above I also enjoy adult time, and time away from children, other peoples and my own. I personally think children shouldn’t be in a pub beyond 8pm at the latest.

All that being said I only take my children to places that are family friendly and wouldn’t dream of taking them to just any random pub.

I absolutely hate there being next to fuck all places you can go where there aren't kids allowed. I wouldn't have children in pubs, there's plenty of other places people can take their family than a boozer.

But I also intensely dislike people drinking alcohol when out with their children, just for extra context.