Banning Kids from Pubs - Opinions?
Other
So, local to me a pub has had a bit of press attention because they've made a point of banning kids from their premises completely. This was apparently due to people visiting who let their kids run riot bothering the other patrons, getting under the feet of staff etc etc. It's not the first pub that's done this as another one made a similar decision (this pub made a good call, I think as they were right by the river and unsupervised kids and deep water can never be a good thing!)
Myself, hubby and kids go out very, very infrequently but went out twice during the 'eat out' scheme - same pub both times but not the one that's since banned kids! 
My littlie is 16 months - big enough to wiggle out of the pub's fairly inadequate highchair but not quite old enough to sit nicely on an adult chair. She sat on a sofa seat between us and did a fair amount of moving back and forth on the seat, between us. We were by the door and she attracted a fair amount of (positive) attention from people coming in and out as she was fascinated - people were nice enough to wave and smile and make faces at her but there's no way I'd have let her run around under foot - if we'd have been unable to keep her entertained we'd have left. She spilt a little bit of her drink and dropped some morsels of food on the floor - both of which I cleared up before we left.
Just interested in people's take on this? I think the landlady's stance must have been out of sheer frustration - she's denying herself a big cross-section of customers if she's banning kids so it can't have been a decision she made lightly!
I have absolutely no problem with well behaved kids in Pubs and kids spilling a bit of food or drink is never a problem .
Problem is (as with all things ) that the few spoil it for the many . In my local where most people know each other it is accepted that kids must behave and not run riot inside and parents seem to have no problem with educating their children to act sensibly .
Another Pub down the road seemed to be full of kids racing around whilst parents drank in their groups and seemed totally oblivious of the danger their kids were in racing round the pub shouting and screaming .
Apart from the disturbance they were causing young kids eyes and heads are just the height that a collision with a table edge or pool table could prove very nasty . Needless to say I avoid such Pubs .
Difficult when you have kids , as I found with mine years ago , they wonder why "other kids " are racing around causing chaos yet they are not allowed to .
Most Pubs welcome kids , I suspect those that don't are the sort that attract failing parents who can't or won't supervise their kids .
I've known many in my local from babes to kids to teenagers to parents themselves and they have grown up to respect their local and its customers .
If you find a pub that where children are not welcome I would suggest its because of the parents , not the kids and I would avoid as I have that pub I mentioned earlier .
I absolutely hated kids in our local (pre-Covid).
They were running around, screaming and shouting and having their tablets on full volume.
Parents have no respect for other patrons and let their children carry on.
Again, TheChimp I am in agreement with you. As a child, I was never allowed to go into a pub and was left sat in the car with a bag of crisps and a drink! How times have changed.
Unfortunately, for all those parents who manage to keep their kids under control, there are so many more they simply do not bother. Lots of kids are left to run riot around in pubs and cafes that drives me wild. Furthermore, it again is the entitlement that parents feel that this is perfectly normal when it's not.
Not all parents are the same, and thankfully some children are a credit to their parents. On the rare occasions that I experience this, I make a point of speaking to the parents to say how wonderful it is to see such well behaved children.
Xx
As long as the kids are well behaved then I have no problem with them being in pubs. But unfortunately, there are plenty of badly behaved kids out there whose parents' don't give a damn. Parents need to teach their kids how to behave in such places and to respect others around them, and to discipline their kids (with love) if they go out of line.
One thing I do seem to be noticing more and more lately though are kids using supermarkets as playgrounds. It's the same principle and the parents just couldn't care less.
Kids should never be in pubs, your setting a bad example to them thinking it's OK to be under the influence of alcohol while looking after a minor. Yes am a pub and alcohol hater and alway nag other half about alcohol.
I prefer kid-free pubs, usually because the parents let them run ragged as they enjoy their tipples. I don’t mind kids being kids, but not in a pub. There are better places for them to play in
Completely agree with you here. There should be some places that are adult only. If adults do not like this, I am sure there will be other establishments that are happy to accept children, but I do not think this should be presumed! Xx
There should be pubs where kids are allowed and pubs when they are not. It would be wrong to ban children altogether, children family pubs usually have a great environment
The pub I used to run allowed children until 6pm only, when people aren't (usually) too drunk yet. The pubs near me have similar policies I think.
Her pub her rules. As long as she is doing it within the law. Too many parents let them run riot in pubs and not care as they as too busy on the drink.
I used to work in a pub. Kids were only allowed in of having a meal and weren't allowed in after 7pm. I don't think it matters what eating establishment it is, kids need to be well behaved. I never let my son run around on the rare occasions we go out.
I remember working in the pub, carrying a tray of food, containing sizzle plates for the steak and a kid ran into me, I fell backwards, dropped the food and the sizzle plates fell on me, so I got burnt. The mum told me it was my fault and that I should have been looking where I was going and if her kid was hurt she would sue! Luckily the kid wasn't hurt, which was actually my first concern, but she didn't take any responsibility. When you are in an environment with food and drink children need to be behaved and supervised.
I suppose it depends on whether you mean for a meal or not but personally I would not take my kids to a pub
I can understand why the landlord made the ban. It’s very difficult asking some parents to control their children and imagine some would argue back. Obviously it’s harsh on good families and they will be losing trade.
As long as they get the first round in I don't have an issue with kids going in pubs 
Although, they will probably enjoy it more if the pub has an outdoor area.
In these covid times it seems a very sensible approach as is limiting how much people can drink in a pub. I've had covid and for a period after getting over it I was still a little unsure if I was infectious. I had 4 tests all negative but was kept isolated in hospital due to the damage my own immune system had caused to my lungs killing cells infected with covid. So I'm in the position where I do not want to infect others yet kids run up close to me, brush past me sometimes. Those kids may be safe from covid but may transfer the virus to their parents or grandparents which could be life threatening. I've had teenagers cough as they past me, just as they turned a corner (not on purpose). I look back at myself at that age and realise I was pretty stupid at that time. I just feel there should be more restrictions on children who don't understand the importance of social distancing.
I think that if parents leave their kids to run wild, that can be an accident waiting to happen should they bump into someone with a hot drink or meal. I've no problem with kids going into a pub for a meal, but think some parents are irresponsible.
In other countries they can not go to pub...
Under 18 should not be allowed, but also pub is not a restaurant there and in the UK it is not just a pub.
Like most people I have absolutely no problem with calm, well behaved children in pubs but people aren’t always considerate of their children’s behaviour on other people’s dining/pub experience. I went to a local pub recently having just moved to a new area with a friend as we fancied a roast lunch. The place was OVER RUN with young children, toys and food on the floor, noise , iPads on tables- it was unbelievable and unbearable. Its a difficult thing to call because there’s not much you can do about it - apart from banning children from restaurants or kicking out unruly families! 
where does one draw the line
I'm sorry but are we discussing pubs or creches that have an alcohol licence. There should be a place( pub ) where adults can go without any screaming brats running around. Parents ( a term used loosely ) these days think it's their god given divine right to offload their offspring on anyone
My kids are always well behaved when we go anywhere, unlike some, the worse thing is when their parents are drunk and don't give a 
It depends on the pub. My nearest I wouldn't take my child. Its a alcoholic pub. Its their space to be loud sweary whatever. Some do take kids there. Other pubs I happily take kids.
Pubs should be for elders only not for kids & when they are not controlled its a big mess at those places
Kids could be allowed during a certain time period. Unsupervised kids running around isn't just an irritant to some patrons but also a potential health and safety issue if staff/people are walking around with drinks/food. If something happens, the pub could potentially be held liable even if the child was unsupervised 
Fine at meal times I don't have a problem with that but last year kids were at New years eve party at our local, absolutely horrendous, running around, shouting, playfighting etc while parents got drunk, we won't be going back this year.
To me this argument is similar to dog ownership. Most dogs are well-behaved in public, some are not, and that is down to the owner and breeding. Some people say that banning XL bullies for example, is going too far but, for every well behaved bully there are three that are not. That is a result of irresponsible ownership, and their breeding.
Kids are no different, the one’s that cause problems are a result of irresponsible parenting, by parents that shouldn’t have been allowed to breed! 
In fact, dogs in pubs are generally better behaved than kids, and their owners have more control than the parents.
My daughter owns a pub, probably mentioned this before and she allows children in but it really isn’t pub friendly for children. The garden is covered in gravel stones which the children love to pick up and play with. I try to advise them not too as the pub allows dogs in as well. These gravel stones are filthy. But parents don’t seem to mind their children handling them.
Join for free to get genuine deals, money saving advice and help from our friendly community
Chief Bargain Hunter
