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?

While I agree it’s good to have child free pubs I think some people are needlessly rude to you. Best of luck finding some good places for you and your baby.

You’ve got to remember this is not about you and your baby. Some parents if allowed will take a baby and get sozzled at the bar. Or in a bar you can’t guarantee some drunk is not going to run into a pram and tip a beer on it. And some parents thinks a crying baby is ok in a bar - but some adults are there to get away from crying babies. It’s ok for adults to have adult only spaces!

It's really annoying isn't it? I lived and worked in a city centre when I had my first and used to go out to lunch often through the week. When I was on mat leave I suddenly discovered how many of these places that were mostly used as cafes during the day had licence restrictions that banned children completely (including newborns) from the premises. Finding somewhere to meet with friends for lunch became a major pain in the neck (first world problems and all that).

😂
"Had she asked for me to be thrown out, then I wouldn't have minded at all. But to be unhappy and keep it to herself - that's out of order and I can't forgive her for that"

@PurrBox I'm not sure where you lived up to 1982, but believe me, having gone to pubs from the early 1970s, what you quote was not common practice.

There may have been some archaic law that gave landlords the freedom to ban women on their own, but I've never ever experienced that and I lived in a part of the UK where there were pubs on every street corner - and more!

Going back to the OP..I can remember when even older children were never allowed in a pub then it changed to over-12s as long as they were eating with adults. That meant pubs which were no longer adults-only- became the same as many cafes. I am sure that rule still applies that children over 12 can go into a pub with an adult if they order food.

You just unlucky that particular pub has no under 18 licence. Most pubs don't and you could get a drink.

You’re in Hungry Horse territory now I’m afraid, enjoy!

So in this case its a wine shop in a very touristy part of a touristy town and the tables are on pavement / square next to a river so lots of people with children milling around right next to the tables. It certainly isn't a sophisticated /quiet adult only atmosphere as it's quite literally pavement in public. I could get a takeaway and stand right next to the tables as others were doing bc busy day not many tables, but not allowed to sit down bc of baby. Or sat at cafe opposite and had coffee. I fancied a nice glass of wine. But hey rules.

I totally understand and agree that many bars/pubs are not child friendly.

I fancied a nice glass of wine. But hey rules.

"They should have risked losing their licence in return for me paying them a whole fiver. Bastards"

Is there really nowhere else you could have gone for a "nice glass of wine"? It must be a very small town...

One of the local pubs here, which does not serve any food or tea coffee, occasionally gets some idiot bringing their kids. Always the same sort of person unfortunately. I have no problem with kids in family bars but honestly, this place is a drinking hovel.

Anyway a pair of little darlings were running around my table outside, it isn't a real garden its just tables and decking in a few square metres where people smoke, and of course no parents anywhere to be seen. So after 10 minute I told them off myself.

Dad came out expecting to have words with me me because I shouldn't tell off his children... so I bollocked him too and told him no uncertain terms to watch his offspring. Called him irresponsible and told him he was too drunk to be in charge of children.

Expected the landlady to say something to me but she didn't, we do get along well. Next time I went in big sign was up inside and in the ber garden saying no children past 7pm and unruly children will be asked to leave. Result.

And clearly this one is one of those many bars/places that isn't child friendly.

Go to one of the many that are instead.

Certain venues need to be child-free, for the enjoyment of everyone that is there to get some relaxing time to themselves as well! I went to a lovely wine bar with a patio last week and an entire hour of it was spoiled by a couple who brought along a screaming baby. And I really do mean ear splitting screaming. I had been looking forward to a drink with my husband and some time together to chat. I know you think your baby should be the exception to the rule but it’s much easier to have a blanket ban. Otherwise, what’s the pub meant to do? Allow babies in but kick you out as soon as the baby starts crying, regardless of whether you have an unfinished drink? Having a baby does limit where you can go a bit, and it’s annoying but it’s so all the other patrons can relax as well. There are loads of pubs which allow children (and dogs - some people also hate dogs in pubs!), and many which allow neither so that everyone can choose a place which they can relax in.

Weird! I’m Scotland and this rule applies only after 7pm in any establishment I’ve worked in and visited.

I don’t think I would actually care if some pubs didn’t allow women ( the pre-1982 thing) . I know what kind of pubs they were and they wouldn’t be the sorts of places I would want to be anyway. There were always family type locals you could go anyway.
I do realise you can’t discriminate based on protected characteristics so it’s not lawful but I cant get my knickers in a twist about it.
I think generally pubs/ bars/ restaurants can specify if they want to cater to children or not, and it’s up to them? A customer kicked off at my friends restaurant because they don’t have a childrens menu.. my friend told them that that’s because they don’t want to encourage children..! That went down well 😂My mate is Italian too so the stereotype of child loving continentals didn’t hold up there! The poster who pointed out that “ in Europe” tourist places have to admit children is bang on- in Spain and Italy there are numerous bars where it wouldn’t be acceptable to bring a baby.

I love this rule. I've stopped going to several local bars because it's like being in a crèche.

I can understand children not allowed but would that really extend to babies in prams?

Are they not also children?

I can understand children not allowed but would that really extend to babies in prams?

I do worry that people can't understand a simple no under 18s or no children, is it that hard to realise yes it does include babies as they are children.

Go and buy a coffee

Lots of pubs allow children ds was taken to many

some places want to remain child free which is also fine

not everyone wants to be surrounded by young children/babies the pub/bar will know what their customers want

No doubt you get those that change nappies outside loos, yuk

What you couldn’t find a pub that wasn’t over 18’s ?
tbh I thought outside would be fine , I grew up in the 80’s and kids weren’t allowed in many places but outside was fine .

So the rules don’t apply to you because they seemed dumb?

I used to work in a pub that allowed children until 6pm, and eventually they changed it to 18+ all day because people didn’t seem to realise that being allowed to bring their children in if they wanted to did not mean that we were obliged to provide various things to accommodate them. The landlord just got fed up with people complaining that we didn’t have high-chairs, baby changing facilities, a children’s menu or a child-safe beer garden (it was next to a river, no fence except a rope barrier).

Chap I know was having a drink with workmate on a Friday after a really stressful week , and one of them was swearing {Nothing serious
A mother actually asked the man not to swear, as her children could hear.
He paused and said ''It's a fucking PUB!, NOT a nursery''.

Fair play to that bloke.
Mum said that in the past women could go into pubs alone, but it was considered a little ''Fast'' to do so, and if they did venture in, it would always be in the Saloon Bar, never the Public Bar {London, 1970's}.