To say that there should be some adult only options?

[TooPoor4PandaPooTea]

Pubs making the decision to ban children

‘It dictated the whole atmosphere’: why some landlords are banning kids from pubs | Pubs | The Guardian https://share.google/E6IXhVu1U5Iv9vP7n

Ban them inside after lunch? We didn't have children in pubs growing up, but beer gardens were fine. One of the many pubs I worked in while at uni had a big outhouse in the pub garden, full of games to entertain the little ones too but children not allowed in the bar.

I am not a fan of children in pubs. Last time went in Jan for a b'day meal was spent with 2 children playing chase, screaming with each other running around the tables and a baby crying on the next table. Couldn't wait to get out of there tbh.

Aaaah found memories of sitting in the garden with crisps and lemonade with the other kids with the sun setting in the summer while the fuds were getting merry inside with their mates

Yes, with smoking

No, but they are planning on driving. I wouldn't refuse to have a single drink just because there's a tiny possibility I would need to drive a child to a hospital. By that logic you shouldn't take your children anywhere on foot/public transport as you don't have access to your car then.

I've stopped going to a pub in my town due to children being in there - at 5pm - still in school uniforms while their parents just drink and the kids are bored. The parents seem to think they are in their own home - letting the kids run around - I've even seen kids sat at the bar with their drinks - while the parents were in the other room. People go on about children on the continent - but they are generally better behaved than some of the kids I see here.

I have been in pubs of an evening where the kids were running around, moving the balls on the pool table whilst others were playing, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. Even running in front of people playing darts. There should be a mix of different types of venues for different groups of people. Even the outside space is frequently fraught. Can't smoke or vape inside anymore fair enough, but now people want that banned from outside spaces as well when the sun makes an appearance

@mindutopia Yes, obviously the landlord’s decision but I can see why many pubs welcome family groups, they’re spenders. Especially earlier in the day. I do think it would be best if children went home by 7ish, hanging around when they’re getting tired is a recipe for deteriorating behavior!

So you never ever ever drink then?

There should be a mix of different types of venues for different groups of people.

It sounds like you think the mix isn't correct as things stand, and you want change. How would you choose which venue has to take the less profitable clientele against the wishes of the business owners, and would they have to stick to this even if they couldn't cover costs?

it was obvious what I was saying, does everything need to be spelt out?

Obviously the parents are responsible for their children 🙄 but pub staff are responsible for the safety & comfort of their customers & should ask parents to take their children ! leave if the children are misbehaving.

I always think there are pubs I wouldn't take my kid in anyway. I don't have an issue with kid-inclusive OR kid-exclusive, plenty of options for both is good.

I have no issue with it. There does seem to be a rise of hatred towards children, maybe more childfree places will help.

People have been saying about hatred of children 🙄

If it’s anything, it is hatred of the behaviour of children which goes unchecked by over indulgent parents.

The country has never been more child-centric - those of us who don’t care to sit and watch crap parents ignoring their kids understand that the onus is on us to avoid them.

I think most pubs should be no kids inside from 8pm unless they are primarily a food venue pub. I wouldn’t take my kids into a really pubby pub anyway with v pissed Leary adults. We haven’t drank at all since having kids (12 years) but we will still go in local pubs with beer gardens with the kids to meet friends in summer or sometimes in the lead up Christmas when Christmas markets on in town.

If I’m on a girls night out we tend to go to a local wine bar or microbrewery that don’t allow kids at all or after teatime as if I’m having a child free night I prefer not to be around others kids.

When you are sober you realise that a post 8pm proper pub isn’t the place for kids at all

Our two local pubs allow children up to 9 pm at night. We often take our son out for a meal at the pub, and it's nice that he's welcome.

Unfortunately, I have been in pubs where children are running around all over the place and getting under staff's feet, whilst they're bringing food to the table. Parents sat drinking, glued to their phone, whilst the kids are charging around unsupervised and feral. This is poor parenting.

No one wants to sit and eat, whilst someone else's children are running riot, regardless if you have children or not.

They don’t get paid enough though to potentially get grief or a gobful or lose their jobs.

Often as well other customers just don’t want to see kids sat there bored or witnessing not ideal behaviour. Not enough to tell them to go home but just distracting and a bit grim

Up to the landlord to decide, but obviously a lot of us have kids so we would want both options!

Depending on the pub, there could be child free areas.

Also, no dogs in the dining area would good. Nobody want's to look at the poor buggers drooling and staring whilst tied to a table leg ( dogs not kids, although some kids..).

But yeah, good on landlords for putting their foot down and going child free.

Also, you won't get any parents on here admitting they let Kayden, Jayden and Blayden run riot stoked up on quavers and fruit shoots whilst they get sloshed, so I expect all the ' my child is respectful and sits reading or colouring' comments coming in.

I think the individual owners should be free to decide for themselves. And people should respect that decision without running off to social media badmouthing the establishment.

On a side note with regards to prams and buggies are they not a health and safety issue in the event of an evacuation.

Is this different in scotland? There's loads of pubs here that don't allow kids at all and a lot that have a time cut off.

Mostly if they don't serve food yiu can assume its no under 18s.
You need a specific license for kids to be allowed.

My wee village has four pubs and one of them don't allow kids. The other three do and all serve food.

Given the choice, I’d (now) go to a child and dog free pub. 👍

I agree and have no problem with child free pubs as long as they are explicit about it and I know before I go in that they are not child friendly.

I think pubs should do whatever works best for their target market and what they think will be best to allow their business to survive.

There is a child free pub near me (they have been child free for decades), they are very explicit about it, it's all over their advertising and social media. It is their unique selling point. They do not have highchairs, children's menus or anything child friendly at all in the pub. Controversially, they also do not allow dogs - again very explicit and spun as a unique selling point. They do a roaring trade and are always full - you need to book a table for lunch or dinner. That said, the pub does such a great trade because it has a fantastic menu, the food is consistently excellent, they have had the same great chef for many years and they are reasonably priced. They are the go to place if you would like a lovely adult only celebration meal or a date night. Without that reputation or if they food was to go downhill the pub would probably not survive.

It's a risky choice in this economy to go adult only and would probably only work if you can advertise it right and be consistently excellent in order to make your pub a "destination". If you are serving average food or warmed up pre prepared food with bog standard service then it may harm your business.

I think individual owners should be able to decide for themselves too. Even though this clearly isn't resulting in as many childfree venues as some people want. We need to get rid of the idea that there 'should' be a mix of anything other than what the market has decided, which has nothing to do with what anyone says on social media (MN included!)

No idea re prams.

Why are you so angry? You may have an issue with shit parenting and not children in general. So I'm not talking about you. But I have seen people in real life and on SM who just really hate children.

Yes I know, but we tended to be over at Easter. 10pm is fine, 9pm seems a little early with teenagers.

No one is assuming anything.

If you want an adults only pub you are free to open one, no one is stopping you.

But no other business is obligated to run an adults only pub for you either.