Babies not allowed in bars/pubs?

[ChampagneLassie]

Out with newborn in pram this afternoon and tried to go for a drink at a bar with a big outdoor terrace. Was denied entry as, under 18s not allowed. The man was apologetic but adamant that this applied to sleeping babies in prams. It felt particularly ridicouks as this was bar was right on high street with tables basically lining pavement.
I can understand children not allowed but would that really extend to babies in prams? Are council licensing that officus?

I think it’s their license. When I was a child, you pretty much couldn’t go in any pub, only the beer garden or places with a separate restaurant serving food. Something changed at some point - probably when most pubs started to serve food as standard. I must admit, when I had very young babies I kind of assumed that everywhere accepted children these days if they were open during the day. I had once incident where I took a napping baby in the pram into more of a traditional pub for a quick beer, and one of the patrons had a right go at me (not my husband). He was an arse, and the landlady apologised, but it did make me feel uncomfortable.
One thing you can do is quickly check the pub website to see if they have a children’s menu, then you’d know you’d be welcome.

@Waxonwaxoff0

I am being tongue in cheek! I do think it’s interesting though, because of the set up I described. It’s not like the OP where there’s a building that says “no children”. It’s more like having a “no children” section like a “no smoking” section in a pub. Which seems a little odd because children are still
in the venue, at a close proximity and can be heard and seen.

also in general I dislike rules
for
the sake of rules. I will definitely find out the whys and timings next time - assuming they are flexible.

OP I can see why it took you by surprise with a new baby. There’s probably plenty of other places where you’d have been allowed to take them in, though.

I’m not really one for taking my kids to the pub (tend to find it the opposite of relaxing) but we’ve been for Sunday lunch at various places and sat in a few beer gardens.

The claim up thread that these places are totally inaccessible for you now is just untrue.

That should say, it's best to check but NOT unreasonable to expect babies to be allowed in (stupid auto correct!).

Reading the next poster it might be a Scottish thing that kids are only allowed in if they are having food 🤔

Hears a though how would you feel is the people at the next table in the beer garden lit up, smoking beside your baby?

The claim up thread that these places are totally inaccessible for you now is just untrue.

Absolutely. IMO it just demonstrates how some people love to have a go at mothers, even when they haven't a fucking clue what they're on about.

The pubs round here (SW London) are all absolutely full of small children in the day especially those with outside space. It must be very area dependent. It doesn’t cause a problem here that I can see, they aren’t running riot.

Yeah, places can set whatever rules they like though, it is entitled to just ignore them because you don't like them.

Yes pubs

Not bars

Not the same thing.

*Sorry, no.

You chose to have a kid: that's it, game over.

Adult spaces are for adults. Crack on with soft play and coffee shops and whatever.*

I can’t remember the last time I seen a bar that is over 18 only. Every bar and pub around her are fine with children.
I’ve even been to a beer gardens with loads of babies while on mat leave, the horror!

Yes pubs Not bars Not the same thing

What is the difference?

Adult spaces are for adults

This. Plenty of pubs welcome families so it's not really about licensing. This bar just doesn't want that vibe.

Also people sitting there at a table with a baby won't drink much, you would be occupying a table they maybe think they can fill with people who will spend more.

I associate bars with adult-only environments - cocktails and nibbles, maybe sharing platters of food.

Pubs are more casual, tend to have beer gardens or outside seating if possible, and most serve a full menu of food including starters and desserts.

@Waxonwaxoff0

in this case I don’t agree. When I joined the club this sign didn’t exist and children were allowed in the bar. If they are going to change the rules then they need to notify members! Particularly, as I say, when I have to pay for my children to have memberships too. I don’t think it’s clear cut at all.

incidentally the older I get the less I believe in following all rules without querying the whys. Sometimes if they don’t make sense it’s reasonable to do so.

Eg it's a bar which most people associate with drinking.

People don't tend to go drinking with their baby or kids in tow.

Find a more suitable family friendly pub or cafe.

Where are all these pubs and bars that don’t allow children? Round here (N London) I can’t think of a bar or pub where kids aren’t welcome. I’ve seen others say that in their more rural places kids are welcome too eg someone mentioned the Peak District. Is it mainly chain bars?

Yes, they should have notified you, agree. But the rule was probably put in place so adults could have a drink in peace away from kids, it's not that difficult to understand?

I worked in a bar and parents and children were allowed in for food however not allowed in just to have a drink.

ypu could have a drink with your food but you couldn’t come in for the sole purpose to have a drink.

I associate bars with adult-only environments - cocktails and nibbles, maybe sharing platters of food.

This. A bar is not the same as a pub. A bar is usually open only in the evening and the focus is drinking. There might be snacks available but people wouldn't be there for a meal. There would often be music, lots of people smoking/vaping in outside space and people openly flirting etc, just not somewhere I would take a child.

A pub is much more casual, might be showing football, nearly always serves family friendly meals, often has a garden. Where I live they would have children's play areas in the ones with bigger gardens. Children are welcome and it's a suitable environment for them.

Gosh! I love how OP has been painted as an ignorant bitch who believes her baby is entitled to scream in the face of patrons enjoying a drink at their local pub.

Simmer down everyone - the baby was sleeping and OP wanted a quiet drink in the sunshine. It hadn't occurred to her that the pub might have a policy on babies and she didn't barge her way in anyway or cause a scene, but she did feel embarrassed.

Also @Giraffesandbottom I would totally sit on the sofa instead of a hard uncomfortable chair. The bar area was closed and empty. It wouldn't even occur to me that I couldn't sit there. If the disgruntled woman was a member of staff she should have spoken to you and not just looked grumpy. If you are paying fees for this club maybe you should suggest a comfortable area that allows for children?

Dragon I've come across plenty of bars where children aren't welcome. They are all places it wouldn't be suitable to take a child - chic cocktail bars, trendy bars playing loudish music, the sort of place you go for a date when you are 24 or for wine with girlfriend after work.

@Waxonwaxoff0

i totally understand that. But at 9am no one is drinking alcohol and with a sleeping baby I don’t see how anyones coffee is being in the least disturbed. I left before he woke up. I don’t see how it would have bothered anyone apart from “being against the rules”. Anyway I’m in danger of merailing so I will have to agree to disagree!

I think a lot of bars are places you wouldn't take children to be fair so you might not know. For example I wouldn't take DS to a cocktail bar that didn't serve food, it's clearly a place that's not aimed at kids and he'd be bored stiff. A local pub that served food, yes I'd take him there.

@PiesMcPieFace

yes, the bar was closed!!!!! That’s actually a critical piece of info! And yes I will suggest comfortable sofas elsewhere, like where the children are allowed 3m away from
where they aren’t 😃

I think this is a good rule and I don’t agree with children in pubs unless for a meal then leave. I worked as a waitress when I was younger and hated going into the pub on a sunny Saturday/Sunday as it was so busy and stuffy. Always felt so sorry for all the children stuck there all day while parents had drinks and watched the football. Usually sitting under the table at some stage playing with a few soggy chips left over from lunch. A ban is a much better idea.