Babies in the Bar
So this baby walks into a bar, and …
Well, the baby didn’t actually walk into the bar—it was in a stroller, pushed by its mother, who was going to have a drink or two with some other moms who brought their kids, and…that’s why this is no joke.
There’s a bar fight brewing across the country. In Seattle, Austin, Philadelphia, Boston and beyond, bar patrons are getting lathered up on both sides of a polarizing parenting issue: is it responsible (or even acceptable) to belly up to the bar with young children in tow?
Those opposed to the mix of cocktails and sippy cups have posted their unequivocal sentiments on numerous online message boards and blogs, like this one in Philadelphia: “I do not want to be in a bar around children. Ever. Bars are for adults.”
Stroller grid-lock has been increasing in bars—often under signs that say “No One Under 21 Admitted”—along with the irritation of patrons who object to shoving crayons out of the way of their cosmos.
Those pushing for more kids in more bars are usually the same people pushing the strollers: mothers of the pre-school set, who say: “We want to do everything we always did, but with our babies.”
So when the owner of a bar in Brooklyn recently posted a “Please No Strollers” sign, he opened yet the latest front in the battle of the bottle. Moms seethed, while critics— like this one in Tucson —applauded: “Grow up, people,” she wrote. “Your lives are different now.”
Tell us what you think: Are we lowering the responsibility bar by allowing kids in the neighborhood bar?
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Bars are for adults only
If you aren’t 21 or older, then you don’t belong in a bar. No exceptions. Bringing a child in a bar should never be allowed. I have a 1 year old son, and I never bring him with me to a bar.
Anonymous | 1 year, 2 months ago
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No bars for kids
Bars are nasty smoke filled places. And then who drives baby home? It is simply not appropriate.
Anonymous | 1 year, 2 months ago
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Who would bring a baby in a bar where
When you become a parent you have to put away all childish things like going to bar every night with friends and partying all night long. You have to understand that a baby is not a toy u carry around everywhere you go! How would you feel if your mother took you to a bar as a baby and you are exposed to the nature around you, wouldn’t be afraid of picking up the same habit?! That is not sanitary for you or your child because all kinds of germs and diseases come through bars and clubs! That’s like driving and getting drunk while your child is in the car and you drive off a cliff that shows that you r still maturing and have a mind of a helpless child!
Anonymous | 1 year, 2 months ago
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Mom of a one-year-old
What Puritans you all are! Give me a break. These moms aren’t toting 5 year olds in there to get drunk with their friends. They’re wandering by while out shopping and stopping in for a beer. What’s next? Banning kids from restaurants? I’m sure most of you would be a bit too impatient to see that happen.
Anonymous | 1 year, 2 months ago
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Legislating responsibility?
I never took my children to a bar—it never crossed my mind—but in England I see whole villages crowding into pubs on Sundays, families with children of all ages, and it feels perfectly healthy. Legislating will not make responsible parents and could eliminate some social outlets that could be fine for all.
Anonymous | 1 year, 2 months ago
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flabbergasted
I’m just flabbergasted that this is a topic of discussion. All but speechless.
Anonymous | 1 year, 2 months ago
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Be responsible
Yes, there are restaurants that are just like bars, GO THERE! Why is it so important to be at a “BAR”? Do you really want drunks around your “babies”? Do you really want to be drunk with your babies?
Get it together: BE RESPONSIBLE!
I used to work a kid friendly bar and restaurant. Half of the place was off limits to ANYONE under 21 the rest was an okay. We had tons of groups meeting up with their kids to relax and drink responsibly. Go to a place like that – not just a “BAR’. Babies can pick up on things very easy like little sponges. They don’t need to be in bars. In reality, most adults don’t need to be in bars!
Anonymous | 1 year, 2 months ago
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I Think Most People Have Missed the Issue
You can’t bring kids into bars if the owner says you can’t.
There’s no need to preach about what parents should and shouldn’t do. Arguing about this just circumvents the fact that bars can bar children/people under 21.
Anonymous | 1 year, 2 months ago
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Just how is this bad for babies?
How on earth is it irresponsible for a mother to take a baby into a bar? There is nothing unhealthy about a bar, strictly speaking. Of course I am assuming the mother is acting responsibly: not drinking while breast feeding, not entering a bar where smoking is allowed, not drinking to get drunk, and not loading up the baby bottle with rum and coke. Assuming the mother is behaving in a sane way, how is this a negative thing? Sure a mother can give up everything that gives joy when a child enters her life, or she can wake up, realize that is nonsense, and simply behave in a sane and responsible way, enjoying life in moderation.
There is a wonderful pub in Kensington, CA (not more than a mile or two from Berkeley), called the Kensington Circus. The bar takes family friendly to a new level, catering to the many young, new parents in the area. While parents can belly up to the bar, kids can play in the other half of the pub which contains a sandbox, a community collection of toys, and at any given lunch hour, at least half a dozen kids below the age of 3!
Anonymous | 1 year, 2 months ago
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Snuglis
OK, so I guess the moral is that when I want to go to the bar, I need to bring my child in the snugli instead? OK, I’ll make note of that. And then, I’ll make sure that I add “follows all rules” to the bottom of my parent of the year award!! Britney Spears, watch out! You got some competition girl! If you want your life to be just like it was before you had children, then you have two options. 1) USE BIRTH CONTROL or 2) hire a baby sitter for the day. Then go out, tie one on and enjoy. Otherwise, grow up, quit whining and realize the fact is this: you have a child. You are legally, morally and ethically responsible for the health, safety and well being of that child. Now, I realize that YOUR mother allowed whining (otherwise, you wouldn’t be doing it now because you would realize the STUPIDITY of your actions), but your goal should be to become a better mother. Get off it.
Anonymous | 1 year, 2 months ago
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