Bringing Kids to Beer Bars

That excludes a lot of pub, and a pub is a type of bar in my mind.

 

This is why we are disagreeing. If a place has food and activities that are geared towards families I expect to see kids there. I was going by the OP's description of dedicated craft beer bar. To me that says no food and the main focus if being there is drinking. These types of establishments offer little or no activities that are kid friendly and I believe kids should not frequent these bars.

 

Just cause it's not forbidden doesn't mean it's not a crappy ass thing to do.

 

I don't watch sports and have a small family with no children. If I'm going to a large BBQ, my friends will get a baby sitter or not go at all. If I'm going to drink a beer with my lunch, it'll be over the weekend and at a beer bar. Basically I just don't have much exposure to kids or drinking beer near kids, so when I am put in that situation, I find it weird.

It's none of my business with where people bring their kids. But I find it hard to have a good time if there are kids running around. I don't want to have to watch what I say or listen to a crying baby while drinking.

 

I grew up in Ireland where it's common to see families bring kids to bars, especially on Sundays. That said, even though I don't have kids yet there's no freaking way any future kids of mine will be coming with me to a bar here in the USA.

 

Folks, that is why we call what we drink Adult Beverages. When we take kids out we should show them some respect and take them to a place built for them to enjoy. When we go to a bar, we are going for ourselves first and the kids next because the main function of a bar is to be served drinks, adult beverages and food or soft drinks are secondary. I would rather take the kids to somewhere they would like and is built for their interests, say the movies or a Chuck-e-Cheeses, and then later go and enjoy a drink at a bar for myself - who knows, I will might need it!

 

Yes. I take my boys for Sunday lunch at a sports bar with a great beer selection every Sunday. We either ride bikes, walk, or drive (if its crummy). We get the pizza special, I have a beer while the pizza comes and they color, another while we eat, and (sometimes) a beer while we go to the game room and they throw darts or try to wreck the pool table.

I also take my kids to brew pubs (or great beer bars) sometimes. I show them the brewhouse, explain how it is just like daddy's only bigger, enjoy my beer, let them enjoy exploring and coloring, or playing, then leave. My oldest asks if I'm getting a sampler, and being a math whiz, asks my ratings - he knows I'm a judge and asks me to rank them, and then handicap them by difficulty of style, to create a hybrid rating. We practice our math as I finish my sampler.

This is normally a lunch or afternoon activity and normally part of a bigger trip, but frankly, not always.

Almost 40 years ago, I remember Butch, proprietor of Butch's Tavern (right out of Central Casting with a bald head, florid face, big belly and stained white apron), lifting me over the bar to let me pick out my own bag of M&Ms as my parents had a burger and beer. He would spin me on a stool for fun. It was not an issue then. It is not an issue now.

Relax. Re-fucking-lax. It is part of American history and (was, often is, and should be) part of the American fabric.

Beer is not evil. People drinking beer is not evil. And our kids do not need to be "protected" from it. It should be more "normal" than it is. I dont know why I should shield my children from seeing the expanse of American history, and people enjoying the most quintessential American drink, especially while there are good activities for them .

Furthermore, I cannot understand why lovers of great beer, those that lament the relatively small following and acceptance of craft beer, want to alienate people who either love craft beer (with kids) or (even more important) kids like mine, who will grow up thinking that drinking big full flavored craft beer is normal and seeking out local breweries for flavor and gratification.

 

Lets all raise a glass to others opinions! This is America, we're all different. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

 

I guess you don't have a Jesus fish on the back of your vehicle either?

 

That's one thing I've never experienced before. Wow.

 

No, you don't have to give up your life to raise loving, well rounded, successful kids. No one with kids said that, ever.

 

Do they scare you? My daughter has better manners than most patrons at a beer bar. If it's hard for you to "enjoy a beer" when kids are nearby, you may have some issues! I can just imagine it..... kid 25' away eating a sammich - Dannywhitewash sitting there "grumble, these steenkin kids grumble grumble.... I can't enjoy this here brewskie, dang varmints! "

It's like people think beer is some "forbidden fruit" and they still have that 16 year old "rebelling against my parents drinking beer" attitude. "If there are these darned keeds around, how can I be a manly man drinking my manly beer!!!!! " It's a legal beverage people. Perhaps you should all take it up with the bar owners - who will laugh at you for being an uptight busybody.

 

In San Diego -"dedicated craft beer bar" means awesome food is there as well. See:

Hamiltons
Toronado
Urge

and countless others. Strange that none of the bar owners agree with you. Maybe the mid 20's child haters in this group can start a KID FREE CRAFT BEER BAR franchise of pubs?

 

This post cracked me up. Here in OHIO it's not common to drink next to your kids. I never have... and they turned out fine! One is a doctor and the other is a vet.
Listen, i'm not against it.. but i'm not for it. Take it easy there, friend. It's just beer... No need to get hasty.

 

Haha, it was meant to be somewhat funny man. It's all good. I just have the capability to let others be. I don't let people ruin my "positive drinking experience" as some alcoholic said earlier. People get so damn caught up in other people's business. The bottom line is, those of us who enjoy a mid afternoon lunch in a craft beer bar with our families are within our rights. Legally and via the private business owners rules. If the child haters don't like it - they can leave =) Again - I urge you to bitch at ToronadoSD about this. You'll be checked in a humorous fashion! In fact, I hope some day someone gives me the "evil eye" while I enjoy a lunch with my well behaved, quiet in restaurants children. I'll invite you over, buy you a beer, and tell you to chill the fuck out. I may laugh at you too, but at least you got a free beer.

 

I like the way you think, sir.

 

Oh and Danny my post is not really directed at you, except the varmint line =) Just some of the other arrogant self-centered BA's in here. I am very aware of other people's enjoyment - that's why my kids talk softly, behave, and generally STFU at restaurants. =)

Concerts taught me long ago that you can't let people around you get to you. You won't enjoy the concert which is full of assholes. Applies anywhere in life.

 

If it's just your personal feelings about the situation that kids don't belong at bars, be it at certain hours or what have you, I do disagree with you, but I can respect your differing opinions.

That said, I've read plenty of people say they are against it because of the poor culture surrounding bars and alcohol in general in this country. My question/retort: Why not then contribute to a changing of said culture for the better? If we admire the seemingly more adult and lax cultures in Europe (yes, they have their problems, too, but they're generally better about things), then why would you not want the same for us, for your children and their children? The only way things are gonna get better is if we change them for the better, set better examples and follow through on them. Shit, I'm no fan of kids myself, but, as with any other establishment, they should be allowed there so long as they behave themselves (which, though, also requires a better parenting culture, but that's another thread altogether).

 

My kids behave - but Tmoney2591 your comment makes me think of all the adults that don't behave at bars and are not thrown out. Kids have every single right to be in these establishments as "adults". Drunk hipsters at craft beer bars are more annoying than screaming babies.

Pretty disturbing how many BA's hate kids. Hating kids requires a black heart.

 

I hear you. Real progress requires changes at all levels. If you're an obnoxious, violent loudmouth in a bar, I don't care if you're 21, 38, 94, or 7: you don't belong around other people in general, bar or otherwise. Mature up, folks...

(Oh, and anti-hipster education must start at birth, I think...)