Kids in pubs?

[Crackle]

Was there not something just a little while ago about not allowing kids to try things like wine and beer? I cannot remember the story at all now but I recall it was based around the premise that allowing children to develop a taste for wine and beer was tantamount to bad parenting or abuse.

Both mine have tried beer and wine, they don't like it but they know that we drink it in sensible amounts, it's what adults do and that going to a pub with friends is a pleasant and social thing to do. I'd prefer them to see that, than me going to the pub in the evening by myself and telling them that they aren't allowed.

Still, if they are ever out late, boy are they grumpy the next day.

 

[surfgurl]

I was another one of the kids who had to sit on the front step of the pub while my Dad was inside talking to a man about a dog. If I was lucky I was given a bag of crisps and a coke, but I was not allowed inside under any circumstance.
When the kids were younger we often went to a pub on a sunday afternoon. One of us would go inside to fetch the drinks while the other stayed outside with the kids. We would sit outside and supervise the kids on the play equipment. If the kids were desperate for the loo they would be escorted inside one by one straight to the toilets and back outside.
Like other posters I can't abide the pubs geared at children that have sprung up. They are full of kids running about the place chasing one another from the playground to the bar and back.
The eldest is 18 and occasionally goes to the pub with friends. He goes to one of the places that offer a beer with your curry. Given that he is eating a meal he can get his friend who is over 18 to buy it and the beer and legally drink with his food.
I now work in a pub, it's a members social club so there are only ever kids in there if there is a party or a function. The kids are with parents and are normally very well behaved. They sit down and have their glass of coke and enjoy the entertainment.

 

[barq]

I like family pubs, but I think there is a place for adult pubs too. One near me has a sign basically saying "We're not a family pub, so we'd be happy to recommend the XYZ pub as an alternative for those with children". It's a perfectly friendly pub, but intended as a relaxing space for adults.

Come to think of it wasn't there a law about under 14s not being allowed in the bar area?

 

[ChrisKH]

I was another one of the kids who had to sit on the front step of the pub while my Dad was inside talking to a man about a dog. If I was lucky I was given a bag of crisps and a coke, but I was not allowed inside under any circumstance.
When the kids were younger we often went to a pub on a sunday afternoon. One of us would go inside to fetch the drinks while the other stayed outside with the kids. We would sit outside and supervise the kids on the play equipment. If the kids were desperate for the loo they would be escorted inside one by one straight to the toilets and back outside.
Like other posters I can't abide the pubs geared at children that have sprung up. They are full of kids running about the place chasing one another from the playground to the bar and back.
The eldest is 18 and occasionally goes to the pub with friends. He goes to one of the places that offer a beer with your curry. Given that he is eating a meal he can get his friend who is over 18 to buy it and the beer and legally drink with his food.
I now work in a pub, it's a members social club so there are only ever kids in there if there is a party or a function. The kids are with parents and are normally very well behaved. They sit down and have their glass of coke and enjoy the entertainment.

Errr, as he is 18, why does he have problems being served alcohol?

I have always been confused about the licensing laws. I thought you could have alcohol with food if you were over 14 and accompanied by an adult (i.e. someone 18 or over). I recall having a pint with food when I was 15. But that was a long time ago.

 

[marinyork]

Errr, as he is 18, why does he have problems being served alcohol?

I have always been confused about the licensing laws. I thought you could have alcohol with food if you were over 14 and accompanied by an adult (i.e. someone 18 or over). I recall having a pint with food when I was 15. But that was a long time ago.

Anyone who looks under 30 has problems buying alcohol as there are too many uppetty jobsworth muppets who are idiots and convinced everyone is <18.

 

[ChrisKH]

Talking of underage drinking, I have a confession to make. I got served in a pub at the age of 12. The fact I was surrounded by hardened bikers in denim and leathers made it all the more difficult for us to do. I suspect the barman knew we were underage but let it go as the pub was in the middle of nowhere.

 

[swee'pea99]

Would agree entirely. I don't feel comfortable in a pub. Most of them are filled with losers round my way looking for a fight and the music is too loud to allow conversation, etc. The pubs with food, well, sorry the food is just not good enough. Carvery food is over cooked and for the masses. Decor is tired usually. Inhabitants are scary to be honest. I'd rather stay at home. The problem with pubs is, they are open to the public. So it attracts all sorts. So yes, whilst life is a rich tapestry, I'd rather not be in that part of the tapestry where the underage drinker has collapsed in their own vomit under the table..............

The key word here being your 'location': 'Essex'.

Otherwise...

Some pubs are fine for kids; others aren't.
Some times are fine for kids; others aren't.

Right pub, right time - fine!
Wrong pub and/or wrong time - bad.

(Most Essex pubs aren't fit for grownups. )

 

[marinyork]

Hehehe.

I don't mind kids' pubs. There was one I went in where family kicking out time was 9pm. There are most definitely different types of pubs though (I don't go in any of the 3 locals) - middle of nowhere, more catering for elderly, food pubs (granted some don't do a good job), studenty ones, ones you wouldn't want to go in, family ones.

 

[pubrunner]

My family (until recently) owned for 26 years, a large country pub with a function room (200 capacity attached).

We were firm believers in allowing children in the pub. Ours was a family run pub and we liked to make families welcome.

The children did not have the opportunity to witness any swearing/fighting/drunkeness etc. because we were very careful to ensure that that sort of behaviour did not 'pay off' in our pub. This is the responsibility of all landlords and their staff.

After the first few years, when we'd got rid of the 'idiots', we found that gradually, 'decent' people started coming into the pub. As long as they didn't swear/fight etc, everyone was made welcome - farmers, bikers (motorbikers), walkers, cyclists etc., etc., . . . . . . .and children. The pub was in the Good Beer Guide for 25 years (6 real ales) and we established a good reputation for reasonably priced food.

We had music nights - largely folk music - which included the likes of Martin Carthy, Dave Swarbrick, Aly Bain etc., etc, we had treasure hunts; organised charity runs and walks, quiz nights etc - Children were always welcome.

Many of the farmers, bikers (motorbikers), walkers, cyclists etc., etc., brought their children into the pub and I don't mind admitting that many of them (the children) stayed up till the small hours - mostly at weekends. When these young children became old enough to drink alcohol, they would always do so in a responsible manner - because that was what they 'learned' in the pub. For them, there was no mystique about coming in a pub for a drink, 'cos many of them had been coming in from a very young age - our youngest customer was two days old.

Many of those children are now responsible adults and they now bring their children into the pub.

And I must mention, that regarding their parents, one of them would always be on the non-alcoholic drinks so that they could drive home.

A pub is/should be the focal point of the community, of which children are an integral part.

 

[PaulB]

Oh for the days of being a kid standing outside a heavilly drapped windowed pub, door opening slighty ajar, a hand thrust through with a bottle of coke and a bag of crisps.

Jumpers for goalposts. Wasn't it? Hmmm.

 

[Fnaar]

Great post, pubrunner (aha... now I get your forum name ). That's the way it could be/should be... (although obviously sometimes peeps might prefer a kid-free drink... there are many places for that)... but pub as part of community is what I guess they were all about in the first place.

 

[rich p]

It's the problem of bad language that bothers me







Have you heard some of those kids!

 

[wafflycat]

Wafflycat Minor was taken to restaurants and pubs from being a toddler onwards. He was tuaght how to behave in public from a young age. As a mum, the maternal bazoomas heaved with pride whenever his behaviour was complimented upon.

 

[Fnaar]

Wafflycat Minor was taken to restaurants and pubs from being a toddler onwards. He was tuaght how to behave in public from a young age. As a mum, the maternal bazoomas heaved with pride whenever his behaviour was complimented upon.

hubba hubba...

 

[Young Un]

I go into a pub every other monday for the local motor club meet. obviously i go in with my dad but I do get funny looks from some of the regualrs, but why shouldn't I be there, it is not like i cause any trouble or anyhting, i just sit there with my glass of orange juice and make less noise than morst of the adults do.