Page 4 | Babies not allowed in bars/pubs?

ChampagneLassie · 2022-05-01T00:19:03+00:00

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?

PolkaDotPassion · 01/05/2022 07:25

The first time we took our newborn out was to our local pub.. the HORROR. We even took our dog in with us too - another MN error 😳

We didnt fancy venturing far, there are no cafes nearby but we do have plenty of pubs that we can walk to.

I sipped on soft drinks and had a bite to eat, having pushed a baby out and wanting a bit of a treat, to not have to worry with washing up, feel part of the community etc. Baby slept the whole time and if they were to fuss then perhaps it's time to take them outside to settle/ leave.

Yet there are plenty of adults that don't behave as well as our baby/ dog and still they can go wherever they like. That includes patronising, mean people that make others feel uncomfortable, looking at some posters here particularly 👀

toastofthetown · 01/05/2022 07:25

Giraffesandbottom · 01/05/2022 07:10

@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!

Maybe people want to be in a child free environment in the morning either. If the bar is child free then maybe the patrons have specifically chosen that place because the other coffee shops are full of babies. Not everywhere has to welcome babies. In this case the baby didn’t disturb anyone, but babies aren’t robots, don’t work to an exactly schedule and their main method
of communication is loud crying to alert you they need help. If you don’t like the rule, then communications with the people who put the rule is going to be more effective than feeling like a victim when people are annoyed with you for breaking it.

Whatsmyname100 · 01/05/2022 07:29

Polka While you might have behaved properly these rules come in when other selfish people don't. Have been to many places where people let their brats run around, scream and shout or let them use their screens at full blast.

Kanaloa · 01/05/2022 07:31

PolkaDotPassion · 01/05/2022 07:25

The first time we took our newborn out was to our local pub.. the HORROR. We even took our dog in with us too - another MN error 😳

We didnt fancy venturing far, there are no cafes nearby but we do have plenty of pubs that we can walk to.

I sipped on soft drinks and had a bite to eat, having pushed a baby out and wanting a bit of a treat, to not have to worry with washing up, feel part of the community etc. Baby slept the whole time and if they were to fuss then perhaps it's time to take them outside to settle/ leave.

Yet there are plenty of adults that don't behave as well as our baby/ dog and still they can go wherever they like. That includes patronising, mean people that make others feel uncomfortable, looking at some posters here particularly 👀

Presumably this was a venue that allowed under 18s and dogs?

Regardless of whether you ‘wanted a bit of a treat’ it’s perfectly reasonable to expect you to sip at your drink in a venue that allows under 18s.

PurrBox · 01/05/2022 07:33

To all the people telling me to piss off to a child friendly pub-
I am 61, travelled a lot, kids long gone- and I am saying I have never experienced kids ruining the atmosphere of a restaurant, but have often experienced the opposite (kids improving atmosphere).
Am I allowed to have an opinion that is different from the majority?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/05/2022 07:33

PolkaDotPassion · 01/05/2022 07:25

The first time we took our newborn out was to our local pub.. the HORROR. We even took our dog in with us too - another MN error 😳

We didnt fancy venturing far, there are no cafes nearby but we do have plenty of pubs that we can walk to.

I sipped on soft drinks and had a bite to eat, having pushed a baby out and wanting a bit of a treat, to not have to worry with washing up, feel part of the community etc. Baby slept the whole time and if they were to fuss then perhaps it's time to take them outside to settle/ leave.

Yet there are plenty of adults that don't behave as well as our baby/ dog and still they can go wherever they like. That includes patronising, mean people that make others feel uncomfortable, looking at some posters here particularly 👀

Nothing wrong with that. But this particular venue didn't allow babies, presumably the one you went to did. Not everywhere has to cater to children and babies.

PurrBox · 01/05/2022 07:34

Women were legally banned from many pubs until 1982 because they ruin the atmosphere.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/05/2022 07:35

PurrBox · 01/05/2022 07:33

To all the people telling me to piss off to a child friendly pub-
I am 61, travelled a lot, kids long gone- and I am saying I have never experienced kids ruining the atmosphere of a restaurant, but have often experienced the opposite (kids improving atmosphere).
Am I allowed to have an opinion that is different from the majority?

YABU to say that all pubs should be child friendly, yes. Enough are so that it shouldn't be a problem for parents to finf somewhere to take their kids. A small proportion of places are not child friendly, and that should continue to be the case, because some people want an atmosphere without children present.

DollysLittleSister · 01/05/2022 07:36

I don't go to pubs often but the last thing I'd want was a screaming baby at the next table.

Go to a cafe and have a cup of tea.

LightningAndRainbows · 01/05/2022 07:36

I guess it depends on the pub and their usual customers but some of the pubs round here I don't think a child should be exposed to. People drink too much and get too loud and rude.

DollysLittleSister · 01/05/2022 07:37

PurrBox · 01/05/2022 07:34

Women were legally banned from many pubs until 1982 because they ruin the atmosphere.

What? I don't remember that at all. (By 1982 was working as a teacher.) I'd been going into pubs since 1972. No bans in the UK.

pooktline · 01/05/2022 07:40

I must be out of touch but I can't work out why anyone would want to take a baby to the pub anyway.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 01/05/2022 07:44

pooktline · 01/05/2022 07:40

I must be out of touch but I can't work out why anyone would want to take a baby to the pub anyway.

Presumably because most pubs have nice beer gardens and do reasonably priced food and have comfy seats, all of which are appealing to parents and non-parents alike?

I don't have children but I can totally see why a beer garden is an attractive place to take them!

shivawn · 01/05/2022 07:44

I've never been turned away from a bar because of my baby and he has been to a lot of bars in his 6 months! It would never even occur to me that he wouldn't be allowed in somewhere but we're obviously only ever out during the daytime. We're also living in ireland not UK and i dont think i know of anywhere that is over 18's only during the day.

There's usually other couple with babies in beer gardens on nice days and it's a great conversation starter to get chatting to other people in similar circumstances, i love it. Definitely suss out other options around you and get out with the baby as much as you can! They love people watching as they get a little bit older and it's great for our own mental health too!

Divaship · 01/05/2022 07:45

Why are certain parents so entitled that they insist on imposing their children on adult environments, hen parties, pubs and events etc? Around those who have come out to relax, are childfree, maybe enjoying some well-deserved child-free time or maybe because they just do not want to be around screaming children when enjoying a lovely drink?! Please go elsewhere, I work hard for my time off, and do not wish to have my time in the pub ruined by screaming babies/bored kids-a pub is no place for a child! Organise some childcare or go somewhere child friendly, this is purely parents being selfish on both their kids and other patrons.

DaisyStPatience · 01/05/2022 07:45

I can see why this incident was annoying but overall I think it's good that there is a mix of family-friendly and adults-only pubs. I take my toddler to pubs very occasionally and I think it's good for her to learn how to behave in such places. However, lots of people don't want to spend their free time in the company of small children and that's fine, some pubs have a different vibe where children wouldn't fit in and they serve an important purpose for a different set of people. It's good that all are catered for.

cloudcats · 01/05/2022 07:47

OfstedOffred · 01/05/2022 07:02

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.

Yes, it absolutely can be about licensing.

In Scotland standard licences don't allow DC. In England and Wales standard licences do, but specific venues may have a licence that doesn't allow DC for some reason and pubs still with older licences won't have children as standard.

(I don't know about NI, sorry).

Thankfully in E&W at least, in practice most pubs do let DC in, in the daytime at least.

WonderingWanda · 01/05/2022 07:48

There aren't many places that are 18+ only theae days, is it something to do with serving food or not? Pubs often have no children at the main bar but allowed in the garden or restaurant as their rule. When I was a kid in the 80's it was common to be left in the beer garden or car at a country pub while the adults went in....not sure if that was because of a no child rule or my parents needed a break from me😆

amysaurus87 · 01/05/2022 07:49

I agree that pubs and bars are different and I wouldn't expect a bar to let me in with my kids in tow (but then I'd be surprised to see a bar open at midday!)

However, being refused entry to a pub would surprise me. I have never been to a pub that didn't allow children up to a certain point in the day (the ones closest to me allow children until 7 or 8pm).

pooktline · 01/05/2022 07:49

Presumably because most pubs have nice beer gardens and do reasonably priced food and have comfy seats, all of which are appealing to parents and non-parents alike?

It wasn't that at all though here, was it? It was a bar with seats basically lining the pavement, no mention of food.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 01/05/2022 07:50

Divaship · 01/05/2022 07:45

Why are certain parents so entitled that they insist on imposing their children on adult environments, hen parties, pubs and events etc? Around those who have come out to relax, are childfree, maybe enjoying some well-deserved child-free time or maybe because they just do not want to be around screaming children when enjoying a lovely drink?! Please go elsewhere, I work hard for my time off, and do not wish to have my time in the pub ruined by screaming babies/bored kids-a pub is no place for a child! Organise some childcare or go somewhere child friendly, this is purely parents being selfish on both their kids and other patrons.

Tend to agree and I have a child. Pubs are BORING for kids. I take DS out for meals but I never took him just to have a drink - although he's older now so he'd probably be fine. Certainly not when he was a toddler, he'd just piss everyone off and it wouldn't be relaxing at all!

CaptainMyCaptain · 01/05/2022 07:53

AffIt · 01/05/2022 02:00

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.

Show quote history

That's a bit extreme. There are plenty of pubs that do allow children.

cloudcats · 01/05/2022 07:54

Divaship · 01/05/2022 07:45

Why are certain parents so entitled that they insist on imposing their children on adult environments, hen parties, pubs and events etc? Around those who have come out to relax, are childfree, maybe enjoying some well-deserved child-free time or maybe because they just do not want to be around screaming children when enjoying a lovely drink?! Please go elsewhere, I work hard for my time off, and do not wish to have my time in the pub ruined by screaming babies/bored kids-a pub is no place for a child! Organise some childcare or go somewhere child friendly, this is purely parents being selfish on both their kids and other patrons.

This is s peculiarly British attitude. In much of Europe, it's common for families socialise together in the evenings, and for DC to have later bedtimes.

There are plenty of child-free pubs about IME, plus plenty that let DC in. Just go to one that caters for what you want, but be aware that (shock horror!) women are people too and some of us like to spend time with other adults,outside the house, and maybe have a glass of wine, even after becoming a mother, who would have thought it?!

PaperLanterns · 01/05/2022 07:55

I know it’s pretty embarrassing to have to leave but in future, just do your homework - give the pub a quick ring beforehand and ask if they allow kids then you’ll avoid all the embarrassment and disappointment!

I wouldn’t take much notice of all the “kids in a pub” comments here. It’s not like you’re hauling a baby around on a night out on the sesh. Plenty of people pop in for a drink in the pubs around me with a baby and I’ve certainly done it.

Giraffesandbottom · 01/05/2022 07:55

@Waxonwaxoff0

Tend to agree and I have a child. Pubs are BORING for kids. I take DS out for meals but I never took him just to have a drink - although he's older now so he'd probably be fine. Certainly not when he was a toddler, he'd just piss everyone off and it wouldn't be relaxing at all!

i absolutely agree with this.