to think it should be illegal for pubs etc to exclude children without a valid practical reason?

[Greensleeves]

No children after a certain point in the evening - fine, I can see why this might be sensible in some establishments

No children FULL STOP, ever - I don't think this should be allowed

you're not allowed to say "no women" or "no Irish people" any more - why on earth should it be legal for a place to exclude children without a good reason?

Small pubs with only one room with the bar in it - I understand that too

BUT yesterday I went to a huge pub, with lots of different rooms - sofas, armchairs, several fireplaces, loads of room - and a full menu etc - and it's NO children at all, at any time

I think this is wrong

the place was empty as well, and it serves them right

i think it would be bizarre - really can't see what is wrong with adults wanting some child-free time.

it's not as if children are excluded from all, or even most, pubs/restaurants/whatever. so there are plenty of places to choose from for a child-friendly outing. why shouldn't there be some choice around adult-only venues?

I think some pubs for adults only is perfectly reasonable.

But then I also think some pubs should be allowed to permit smoking too.

There are behaviour differences between adults and children though. It isn't discrimination in the same way. It is perfectly reasonable to not allow children if they so wish.

it's to do with the licensing objectives

so basically it's a lot easier for a licensee to get a premise license and adhere to the licensing laws if they just do not allow children. more faff involved in allowing them in during certain times or in certain areas only. more chance for the rules to be flouted and the licensee be fined.

I have children.
I do not want to take my dcs to pubs, and would never go in a childfriendly pub at any time of day as they are mostly crap (mass Wetherspoon type places) and full of kids.
I go for a drink to get away from children and spend quality time with dh/friends.
So YABU.

god the last thing I want to do whilst having my hard earned r and r in a public house is listen to little kids whinging about lemonade with a pink or blue straw.

Go to a starbucks for a drink

I love the fact that some pubs/bars are for children and others not.

I want a cheap meal out with my family, I go to the local Harvester (yes I do, and I'm not ashamed!)

I want to go and drink cocktails with my friends I go to a bar/pub with no kids.

Some pubs are family friendly, some are not. If you want to take the kids go to a family friendly one.

It is nice to go out sometimes without your own kids and not be subjected to someone else's.

I think licenced premises should be allowed to decide if they are to be designated as pubs, and therefore not allow children in, or bars (I'm thinking of things like Pitcher and Piano, All Bar One type places) which can allow children in.

I for one don't think a traditional pub is really a good environment for children anyway. It's not much fun for them (unless you start adding a load of toys etc) and I think adults should be able to get some child free space.

I spent many an afternoon sat in the car with a warm glass of coke and a packet of cheese and onion and it never did me any harm

So did I headfairy. Mum and dad would wave to us from the balcony of the pub (we were on holiday). I was happy- always got anew book to read (nerdy emoticon)

It created interesting new opportunities for my sister and I to bicker and fight deaddai.

For many adults, the point of going to a pub (or a good restaurant actually), is to relax, unwind and enjoy the company of other adults. This is not enhanced in any way by other people's kids (or your own ).
YAButterlyU; there are loads of pubs that allow kids, why on earth do you think that a premises designed for adults to get intoxicated should automatically welcome your children?

YABU

Who wants children in a pub? Like others, I go to the pub so I don't have to listen to whining children, if I wanted to do that I would save myself the money and have a bottle of vino at home

Family orientated gastropubs are great for Sunday Lunch etc but on the whole I am anti-children in pubs.

Me too Headfairy except I was not interested in Coke, it was strawberry flavour Cresta that got my vote. With plain white paper straws. But then I am vair vair old.

YABU.

I go to a pub for an adult atmosphere, not to have children running around chattering, throwing tantrums and spilling things. During the day, fair enough. But not in the evening.

i hate kids, especially in pubs

What annoys me more are adverts for adult only caravan/camping parks but specify 'pets welcome'. Like all the old bores prefer dogs yapping all night and crapping on their tent pegs to the sound of my children enjoying themselves. Shame on them!

Like some other posters,- I go to a pub to get away from children. Absoloutely hate and detest it, when I escape from my own for the evening, only to be subjected to other peoples!

I think its perfectly fair enough for any business to say over 18s only, or whatever. Even if they are missing out on £squillions it is their choice to make. Sometimes I don't want to be surrounded by toddlers either. Lovely as they are.

I think the valid practical reason is that lots of customers don't like children in pubs.

I want to get away from them and quietly relax. I don't mind if the parents get them to behave in a civilized manner and talk to them, but unfortunately it comes about because parents expect other people to put up with bad behaviour.

YABU. Can't really add much to what has already been said.

Give 'em a bottle of lemonade outside - it's character building

YABU- some pubs should be for the exclusive use of people who want a quiet drink/read the papers in peace. I still like to do that after having kids.
there are plenty of other pubs that are child friendly