Bringing Kids to Beer Bars

Maybe this is a regional thing. In San Diego - the craft beer places are completely family friendly with nice tables, food, plenty for all to enjoy. In fact - the food is good enough to go for and have no beer at all. I love the diversity - families, 21 year olds, seniors - the whole thing. Luckily it isn't just mid 20's hipster child haters who feel the need to evade children in a bar in order to feel like an adult.

 

But are you allowed to CURSE?

 

What's your definition of "bar"? That's the biggest problem with this thread.

 

I'm split on this. On one hand, my father and grandfather used to stop at a bar while out running Saturday errands, they'd just plop me on the stool between them and I'd have a coke while they had a couple. But if I acted up in the least, I'd get a sharp smack upside the head. Now, as an adult, I'm fairly ambivalent about kids in general, don't hate 'em, don't particularly care for most of the little critters either.

I kinda like the way the law is here in WA, kids can't be in the actual bar area, but they can be in a separate area, like a dining room or beer garden. That seems a fair balance. There's nothing wrong with exposing kids to alcohol being consumed responsibly, but I don't want 'em running wild while I'm talking with friends either. Be a good parent, and keep your kids under control. I do like the idea of letting dogs in bars though, but I generally like dogs more than I like people in general anyway.

 

I couldn't care less. My kids know what foul language is and don't use it. Hearing it won't kill them or make them start.

 

I always ask the bouncer / bartender if he or she has carded the toddlers. How are they able to get in, but I get carded?

 

In this instance I would define a "bar" as a place that serves alcohol but not food. Or a place that serves food, but after a certain time (be it because the kitchen is closed or the patrons have little interest in food) the customers are there primarily for drinking.

 

Makes sense. We're usually out of Toro by 1:30PM when done with lunch. Same with the other places. When I go there to slam beers, it's usually 8PM and on. Kids in bed @ 7:30. Wife stays home =)

 

Never after 7:30. Only if they have food(so more brewpuby). Never at the bar. I've done it and it's fine

 

I spent many a Sunday afternoon in the MtM Carmel, PA Legion, drinking little glassesof soda, playing table top shuffle boardn letting my granfather visit with his friends. Definitely found memories.

If the bar has food, its kid friendly and its not too late I have no hesitation taking my kids.

 

Exactly. There's so much back and forth here but what a "bar" is varies a lot. I agree with evilc - I wouldn't hesitate bringing my kids to Toro SD, but no way in hell would I let them step foot in Toro SF. Same name, same owner, but vastly different "bars."

 

I'm curious on what your thoughts are about dogs in bars. I assume that a bar is not a place where you would typically find a dog, but would having a dog in a bar lead to a "negative effect on the experience of the other patrons"? [and by "other patrons" I assume you mean yourself.]

 

It's just my opinion. Nobody else has to have it. And as far as seeing first hand what it means to enjoy alcohol responsibility, it is my opinion that belongs in the home. So there.

 

To long I didn't read the whole thread but my kid comes along with us. Of course it's to have dinner at the right time of day or lunch but I have no problem with it. As for the quaffing of malted barley water and yeast my wife is the one that is in charge and I can have 2 or 3 at times. He just turned 3 and has yet to miss a Pliny the Younger release (where we go in Oakland) and should make his third this spring.

 

I don't know about you, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect a child-free environment anywhere that doesn't have rules against children being present. If children are allowed at a place, then someone is going to bring their children at some point. Especially during the day when it's reasonable to expect that children haven't been put to bed yet. A lot of the bars I go to are quiet, mellow places that serve good food. There is no reason to get bent out of shape when I see a family enjoying a meal out at the local pub. It's perfectly normal.

 

to me this is pretty much common sense. as mentioned above, it all depends. depends on the time, depends on the bar. i've sat down for dinner at a brewpub with the wife and kid and it was fine. they even had a kid's menu, crayons, etc. but if i'm out with the guys on a saturday night, i would obviously not expect to see a child in the bar - any bar - and would never bring mine into one.

 

Don't bring kids to true bars. A restaurant that has a bar or is even bar-heavy (Winking Lizard for Ohioans) is ok I think as long as the kids are well behaved and you keep a close eye on 'em - both for their safety and the patrons' sake.

But taking them to a beer bar? Nah brah. I don't want to see 'em, hear 'em, or worst yet, get offended/pissed off because they are crying or running around or otherwise negating my positive drinking experience. I don't go out to bars much atm so when I do I'm there to enjoy adult beverages with adult company.

Yeah it must suck to be stuck at home, but so be it. Plenty of us are stuck drinking at home for all sorts of reasons. Plus, it's cheaper and safer. Get a sitter or find a more family oriented watering hole...

 

I'll add this to my initial statement: any kid who can sit at the bar and drink up some Breakfast Stout can stay.

 

Another Coal Region kid huh? The bar I was speaking of was just outside of Minersville, PA.

 

Bingo! Next time you go to your local brewpub or gastro pub check to see if they have crayons at hostess stand. As someone who has been taking his 7yo daughter to beer mecca's since she was 5 days old, I can tell you pretty much every beer nerd haven I go welcomes kids with open arms. And they always make a killer grilled cheese.

That being said. Dining room or seating area around bar(depending on the restaurant) is cool, preferably during the day. At a bar stool or late night is definitely a no-no.