Bringing Up Babies In Bars

Many of the "bars" in our area which is a major city in the south will allow children up until 8 or 9 pm. We are a tourist city and the city relys on the money from those vacationing here for their income. I don't see a problem with taking your child into these establishments which are also great places to eat with the time limit. We also have smoking laws so any establishment that allows smoking must be for 21 and older only. I have a problem in ANY place I go where people do not know how to make their children behave. My children act in a proper manner whether it's shopping at Wal Mart or out at dinner. My youngest is 6 and she is offended by screaming children almost as much as we are.

Really? I mean there's restaurants and then there's BARS and children and babies do not belong in bars. No way!

I think, like anything, it's not whether you do it, it's how you do it. It would be terrible to have a kid running around a bar and it would be terrible if the noise and crowd were overwhelming for a baby. But when my baby was just a few weeks, I once took him to a bar - it was more like a tavern - across the street from my apt. It was 7pm, not crowded, no smoking, and I had one beer and dinner with a friend. My baby loved the low "din" and slept great! Obviously I thought that was OK. For parents who work during the day, going to parks and playdates is not always an option.

I think it's terrible. If you need to go out with other parents, hire a sitter and go out. Children do not belong in a bar environment.

I don't think that a bar is an appropriate place for a baby. I can't imagine it would be enjoyable for a baby/child either. I think a better way is to get kids together for a play date so moms can socialize then. Sometimes our family will get together with another family at one of our houses so the kids can play together and as adults, we get a chance to sit and talk. It's definitely possible to find other means of socialization without having to go to a bar.

There is always places that you cold take your children and spend quality time with them besides a bar!! Our society is ruining our children our future! Why would bars tolerate this?

I do not head to the bars myself until about 9 p.m. I would not be happy to see someone with a baby at the bar at that hour of the night. It is bad enough when there are teenagers at the bar at that time. If you feel the need to be out and socialize with your friends and your kids, and you say your apt/home is to small for socializing, find another venue that has a room off to the side so you can socialize and your kids play, but noth under the feet of adults who are out and do not want children around. I raised my kids, I don't want to feel obligated to watch someone else's kids when I am out at the bar.

I have been a stay at home mom for six years now. Not once, have I ever thought, hmmm, think I'll take my kids to the bar with me. Should "bar" and family friendly really be used in the same sentence? How safe is it to have a drinking parent with a child alone all day anyway? Here is a tip, go to the mall, go to the park, even go to the grocery store, but be very ashamed if you take your kid into the bars with you. Would it be alright it I took a tween in with me? A kid is a kid after all, right?

Children do not belong in bars. Even if you can drink and watch your child responsibly can you drink, watch your child AND control the other bar patrons?? If you MUST drink and bring your kids along then a Bar & Grill should be sufficient for you! I just blogged about this same story! http://reginasfamilyseasons.blogspot.com/2010/03/responsible-parenting-101-take-child-to.html

As a parent of 2 young kids I also feel a little isolated but I won't take my kids to a bar. I can't control the other peoples behavior and they might get out of control, putting my kids in danger. We stick to the bar & grill settings like Buffalo Wild Wings. It's much more kid/family friendly and still a great way to socialize with other adults.

I also don't agree with babies being in bars. Why can't the parents socialize at the park, the library, the museum or other such chlid friendly places and leave the bar scene for those 21 and over? Children are exposed to more than enough well before their time and this is one of them in my opinion.

I do not think that bars are the place for babies. It is too loud and the smoke is always a hazzard. I think it would be too much stimlation. I am also too tired to go to the bar after work or during the week, so I would not be taking my baby with. If you are going to the bar on the weekend the baby should not be with as that should be time alone/with friends.

This is a tough one. On one hand I think that parents should be able to get out and socialize with their children in tow. On the other hand though, I find myself very annoyed when there are kids screaming or running around/getting in my way. I think a no kids after 5 policy is a good balance. As long as the parents watch the kids and make them behave properly it shouldn't be a problem. Otherwise, just stick to Applebee's.