Children in pubs...

[General Staal]

...are just plain annoying. Or is it just me?

Sitting, trying to have a quiet pint whilst a child bawls on the other side of the room is like nails down a blackboard. This is one reason why I avoid most chain pubs and try to go to 'traditional' boozers where kids just won't be. Its also a reason why I don't mind Embers - no kids under 14.

Mrs Staal and I have no children and I am very grateful for it. Does that mean I have a biased view? Is it a good thing that some pubs let 'anklebiters' in, thus allowing beer drinkers who would normally have to stay at home get out and neck a few, or should beer and kids never mix?

[RogerB]

I don't have a problem with kids over 14 in pubs during the day as long as they are being supervised by sensible and responsibly drinking adults (which is more often than not the problem). It harks back to the thread about teaching your kids to respect alcohol and learning the correct way to behave in pubs rather than just being unleashed solo on the alcopops on their 18th birthday.

Any kids under 14 in pubs should be put on the BBQ and served up in a bap with mustard and HP sauce whilst their parents are placed in stocks and sprayed with the contents of cans of John Smiths Smooth that have been rigourously shaken beforehand.

[Maldenman]

It's a tricky one this, as Roger says the parents are often the problem not the kids themselves. Mine are now teenagers and would more likely be rather dead than seen out with me, however I do recall all too well when they were small and if say on holiday having to sit outside or be shunted into some grim corner away from the bar.

A pub is a sort of sanctuary so I tend to agree they shouldn't be allowed however have a thought for the beer loving parent with kids in tow who is all too often excluded. A proper well appointed children's/family room is the answer I guess with well behaved children (and parents) only.

[arwkrite]

This subject must be one of the most discussed on pub forums.It is not so much about the presence of children but more about their behaviour and supervision or more likely the lack of it. Certain pub chains encouraged families with provision of play areas though these appear to have gone out of favour. JDW and Loyds attracted a young mothers set. I dont think this was intentional it just sort of happened nation wide. Similar in the way these premises became unofficial social clubs for European migrant workers who, when in their cups, could be just as distracting as unruly children.
I can think of no pub in my area that ban children their arrival is an ever present threat. Well behaved children I have no problem with otherwise I move onto a quieter venue. Remember ,that family is likely putting a lot more cash over the bar than your couple of pints. For economic reasons children are not going to disappear from pubs.

[ROBCamra]

...are just plain annoying. Or is it just me?



It's definitely not just you. It's all us grumpy gits who don't have kids.:mad:

Ms Camra has 30 kids, she's a teacher, and she doesn't like them being in pubs either. :eek:

[trainman]

Remember ,that family is likely putting a lot more cash over the bar than your couple of pints.

Not necessarily. Let's even up the numbers and have a family of, say, 3 vs me and 2 mates. If we have 2or3 pints each in an hour, I think it's likely we'd spend more and certainly use up a lot less of the staff time, than the parents & kids scenario.
Like Mm, though, I do pity the responsible beer drinking father who probably suffers more than he should because of the bad example set by soooo many parents who categorically fail to bring up kids with any respect for others, environment, society or, well, anything. And we're in a downward spiral, it's only gonna get worse.
Thankfully it's not really an issue in most of the pubs (or, indeed, the style of pubs) which I prefer to frequent.

[ETA]

A proper well appointed children's/family room is the answer I guess with well behaved children (and parents) only.

This used to be common in the places I grew up, and I don't remember any rowdiness being tolerated by my parents. A generation on, and I regularly took my offspring to pubs where there was a restaurant or garden, away from the bar, where we could sit and eat or rest quietly. Again, I never had any problems with my own children (or, at risk of opening the second most talked about subject on pub sites, my dogs).

It all comes down to mutual respect. If someone brings a child in, they must ensure that the child behaves in an appropriate manner and remains in bounds. In return, drinkers without children present (which niche I now occupy )must resist the (frequently overwhelming) urge to drown/shoot/batter the little darlings until such time as they spill our pint, shriek so loud as to be heard over the rustle of our newspapers or deposit some unidentifiable fluid on our person.

[Maldenman]

I once had the misfortune to take my son to a party here when he was younger, http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/68168/

It is a living hell, scores of over-excited kids rushing around, spilled drinks and crushed crisps everywhere. The concept of a licensed premises marketing for kids parties and so on is beyond me.

[Andy Ven]

I'm speaking from the position of someone who is in transition from 'having no kids' to 'parent'. I can fully sympathise that kids being in the pub can sometimes spoil your night out and it boils down to the level of consideration that their parents show to the other pub users.

We know that certain pubs are geared towards families and therefore if that's not what we want then we don't go those places. These pubs can fulfil a role though, for example, by introducing adolescents to an adult environment and teaching them how to behave in that company and to respect alcoholic drinks.

I prefer the traditional local pub and I accept that families may want to come in to dine in the early evening but I really want to see pubs gaffers impose some rules such as no under 16s after 9pm and reserve a room from which minors are excluded at any time of day.

If I go out for a quiet drink and a chat I don't want it spoiled by kids running amok and making a racket. If toddlers are screaming the place down at 8.00 at night it's not the fault of the kid.

[arwkrite]

Just had a thought...( I can hear the groans already ) ..considering the weird stuff they teach kids at school these days what about some lessons on good old fashioned manners and etiquette. This could include how not to get up everyones nose when in an adult environment. But then there would be shouts of stifling the right to free expression and encouraging alcohol consumption . I cringe when seeing plates of hot food carried over the heads of children playing on the floor of a pub. Should ever one of them be burnt by a falling plate I would volunteer to be a witness as to the lack of parental care. Pubs are not play grounds and bar staff are not creche personnel unless designated as such. The late Mrs and I once had an evening meal ruined by young children running around the tables playing hide and seek. The fact that these children had taken off all their clothes did not bother the parents one jot. Education is the thing but how can the uneducated and ignorant teach their offspring.?

[Conrad]

Children in pubs...
...are just plain annoying. Or is it just me?
I know this is a pubs forum, but I am not sure that sentence needed pubs in it.

:whistle:

[General Staal]

Ms Camra has 30 kids, she's a teacher, and she doesn't like them being in pubs either. :eek:

I am a teacher too. Pleasant as children are at school and when they say hello when I bump into them round town - I wouldn't want to meet them in a pub. I had been in town in a pub to watch an England game. I caught the bus home in a slightly pickled condition only to have one of my schoolkids get on the bus. It was very hard work trying to act sober!

[Eddie86]

It got to the stage where I had written out all the signs and updated the website saying we no longer allow children under 14. Then Mum reminded me I have a 2 year old son who some days (like today) only sees me if he's brought up to the pub.

Some say I've been extra strict on him, but he came to the pub on the first day he was allowed out of hospital and at least once a week since. The only two year old I know that I can sign 'sit down quietly' (which is his warning without me raising my voice) and he will. If verbal I just remind him he's in the pub. Instantly well behaved as he knows he'll be in the car with a sore arse if he doesn't.

[Strongers]

I’ve taken my two girls who are under three to the local many times. They think that it is grandad’s house and if I didn’t take them they wouldn’t know who he was!

[ptg]

We allow kids in the pub as long as their well behaved. My philosophy is "keep your breed on a lead". I tend to be more aggrieved by the "older generation" who feel the need to complain for the sake of complaining, just because a child laughs than I am with slightly unruly children.

It goes against my whole philosophy on pubs being a place that families can grow together to ban the little b**tards.

[trainman]

Education is the thing but how can the uneducated and ignorant teach their offspring.?


And we're in a downward spiral, it's only gonna get worse.


Exactly. Ignorant generations simply creating even worse examples of social ineptitude in their offspring. And not just in terms of pub behaviour. Littering, feet on seats & other public transport misconduct, music/noise abuse, threatening/violent behaviour, ... see trainman on 'grumpy auld feckers' on a channel near you soon...

Ok, that's all true, but a little off the mark regarding kids in pubs, I'll defer to my earlier gratitude.



Thankfully it's not really an issue in most of the pubs (or, indeed, the style of pubs) which I prefer to frequent.

[Arthurish]

If this thread is still active, here is my input.

If you want to see a pub overrun with kids, visit the Towngate Pub in Basildon.
The kids are running around and even riding their bicycles in the pub. There are buggies galore and the kids are even at the bar, either in buggies or being held by their parents whislt they are having a drink.
I went there once, never again.

Arthurish

[gillhalfpint]

I don't like to see kids in nappies being plonked onto the bar, but it does happen.

[Eddie86]

I don't like to see kids in nappies being plonked onto the bar, but it does happen.

Which brewery is that one from?

[gillhalfpint]

Not sure, but I'd be more Chough (ed) if it was Organic rather than Barear** though.

[Conrad]

Which brewery is that one from?
You mentioned before about thinking of beer names for your brews, I sense there is a rich vein ripe for the tapping here.

[arwkrite]

Radio Five yesterday morning had a bit on "Would you discipline someone else s children ? "
That is not the subject of this post. The woman on the phone in is. She stated that adults were Demonizing naturally noisy children who should be allowed to play when ever and where ever they liked. You may think just what are her children like ? She openly admitted "that many people had complained, in all sorts of place, of the noise and behavior" of her children. Restaurants,aircraft ,trains and supermarkets were mentioned.
She has to be the Mother in the Family From Hell we have all met. No Manners,No Consideration for others, No Care but for their own pleasure. The Children will grow up to be more of the Couldn't Give a Toss About you Mate generation.
The radio almost became the victim of some serious GBH.

[Conrad]

After reading this I spent a while looking for the classic clip of Basil Fawlty debating chip cuts with a young gentleman, sadly couldn't find it, but hopefully everyone knows Fawlty Towers off by heart anyway.

[runningdog]

I grew up in the age of 'children should be seen but not heard'. Now I'm a self-confessed 'grumpy old bustard' I'm still supposed to be seen (as little as possible) but not heard. When is it gonna be my turn..........:drinkup::drinkup:
Someone touched on dogs in pubs. All I have to say, without provocation, is that I've never received a complaint about mine:drinkup::drinkup:

[Conrad]

Someone touched on dogs in pubs. All I have to say, without provocation, is that I've never received a complaint about mine:drinkup::drinkup:
Only because snooker/pool balls don't talk :p

[Delboy20]

After reading this I spent a while looking for the classic clip of Basil Fawlty debating chip cuts with a young gentleman, sadly couldn't find it, but hopefully everyone knows Fawlty Towers off by heart anyway.

One of my favourite comedies, even reading it makes me chuckle -


Basil Fawlty: [overseeing dinner, he approaches a table where Mrs. Heath is eating with her son Ronald] Everything all right here?
Mrs. Heath: Well...
Master Heath: [cutting in] I don't like the chips. The chips are awful.
Basil Fawlty: Really? How so?
Master Heath: They're the wrong shape and they're just awful.
Mrs. Heath: Ah, he's very clever... rather highly strung.
Basil Fawlty: [forcing himself to smile] Highly strung... Yes, he should be.
Master Heath: [to Basil] These eggs look like *you* laid them. Haven't you got any *proper* chips?
Basil Fawlty: These *are* proper French-fried potatoes. The chef is Continental.
Master Heath: Couldn't you get an English one?
Mrs. Heath: Why don't you just eat one or two, dear?
Master Heath: Because they're the wrong *shape*.
Basil Fawlty: Oh, my... What shape do you prefer? Mickey Mouse shape? Smarties shape? Amphibious landing-craft shape? Poke-in-the-eye shape?
Master Heath: God, you're dumb.
Basil Fawlty: [gritting his teeth] Is there anything else we can get you, *sonny*?
Master Heath: I'd like some bread and salad cream.
Basil Fawlty: Well, there's the bread, and there's the mayonnaise.
Master Heath: I said *salad cream*, stupid.
Basil Fawlty: We don't *have* any salad cream.
Master Heath: What a *dump*.
Basil Fawlty: ...The chef made that mayonnaise fresh this morning.
Master Heath: That's *puke*, that is.
Basil Fawlty: Well, at least it's *fresh* puke!

[NickDavies]

If you want to know what we're up against, try this. JR is Jay Rayner, the restaurant critic of the Absurder.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2006/jun/25/foodanddrink.features11

The Prince Regent
69 Dulwich Road, London SE24, 020 7274 1567
I campaigned for years to see this old South London boozer get the gastro treatment. Why? Because it's round the corner from my house and I wanted a gastropub like every other neighbourhood in the city. I couldn't be happier with the results. Great onglet and chips, a sturdy approach to pork belly and boisterous Sunday lunches when the kids run rampant. JR

[arwkrite]

In the Rose and Lion yesterday evening . Amongst the many customers were a black Lab ,a Poodle , a Whippet and three Jack Russels. They made no noise,did not fight, scream or run around. If you had your eyes closed or were blind you would not have known they were there. Even the pub cat felt safe enough to wander around. Things are different on a weekend but no fault of the dogs and cats.

[Strongers]

In the Rose and Lion yesterday evening . Amongst the many customers were a black Lab ,a Poodle , a Whippet and three Jack Russels. They made no noise,did not fight, scream or run around. If you had your eyes closed or were blind you would not have known they were there. Even the pub cat felt safe enough to wander around. Things are different on a weekend but no fault of the dogs and cats.

It's all about the owners, be they children or pets!!!!!!!!!!!!! (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/25534/)

[Strongers]

I love watching cooking competition programmes and Jay Rayner is a judge on Masterchef and I always thought that he was a carnt, as they say south of the river.