Would You or Wouldnt You

Updated on March 04, 2011
R.P. asks from Columbia Station, OH
36 answers

okay my boyfriends parents are planning on going to a restraunt and pub in town and they asked if my boyfriend and i and our daughter wanted to go. would you take your 2 yr old to a pub?

I called and they said they had kids menus and its a restraut with bar inside but online there is no such thing of it being kid friendly my bf thinks im just being a pain in the butt about it but i dont think its a good place to take a kid. and in ohio there is no smoking in public places

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D.D.

answers from Chicago on

Yeah I would. If they have a kids menu, then it sounds fine to me. Most of those places will let kids in until a certain time, like 8 or 9PM. I take my kids to bar and grills all the time.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Lighten up Mom... It is no big deal.

The only deal breaker for me would be if there was smoking. I will not frequent any place of business which allows smoking.

Smokers can smoke all they want, just not in my space. I hate being in a smokey venue and then have to reshower and wash everything when I get home. It stinks and it is unhelathy.

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K.P.

answers from New York on

Of course! Most places that are a restaurant/pub are mostly "restaurant" until later in the evening. If they have a children's menu there's a really good chance that this place is like a Friday's or Chili's and you wouldn't think twice about those places.

We have a place near us that is a pub & restaurant and we take our son all the time (and I'm super conservative about where children "should and shouldn't" be). They not only have a children's menu, but when the little guy walks in the door, the hostess greets him with a treasure box filled with toys and a pirate hat. Their website doesn't advertise them as family-friendly and I wouldn't take my son there after 8:00 or so (it's a college town).

Seriously, I think you're being a little picky and your BF is right. Take them up on their offer and have a fun night. Bring toys, books and snacks just in case. Not only that, your 2 yr old will have no concept of what's going on. If it's a greasy dive, don't go again.

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S.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

Of course you can take her - esp. if there is no smoking. I assume that you won't be eating at 9:00 at night - then it might get a bit rowdy but unless it is a rest./bar known for being crazy and having every town drunk there I don't see a problem at all! Enjoy your meal :)

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M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

A bar-no!
A pub, to eat dinner-yes!

3 moms found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

If they allow kids, sure...why not?

Its not like there is going to be anyone smoking or making you or your child drink alcohol??

A lot of 'family friendly' pubs have hours and sections available for guests with children.

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J.F.

answers from Tallahassee on

I don't see any problem with it as long as you aren't going to be staying late - when people tend to drink more heavily. Places like Applebee's and Chili's serve alcoholic drinks too but I have taken my daughter there for lunch and dinner before - I just wouldn't have her out later when it's more of a bar-type atmosphere. If you really don't feel comfortable taking your daughter there it's your call and just don't do it.

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

sure-if it was a restaurant also...and early enough so there wasn't a party scene. I would be more hesitant to take my 9 yo who notices and hears everything these days!!

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

A pub is usually kid friendly. Take her, you will all have a great time!

m

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Why not? Is it family friendly? I think if you are sitting in the restaurant area it would not be a problem. Also, I think smoking is not allowed anyway so you should be fine.

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J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

Yes, its something too small to argue over, whats the worst that will happen? It will be loud, but she can be loud without you worrying too....she'll probably have a blast talking to everyone....worse comes to worse, if its horrible for some reason you can leave early

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

"Pub" is short for public house, an establishment that invites the enitre public, including parents with children. Beer and spirits are usually available for adults, along with light meals and snacks, and friendly activities like card games, checkers, darts, etc. may be offered. It's traditionally a place to hang out and get acquainted with people, and public drunkenness is not generally a part of the experience.

As long as you don't have to inhale other people's smoke, you will probably enjoy it.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Depends on "the pub"! My family surprised my niece for her birthday at a local Irish pub with a singer and after the show started, she & I realized that her son (4) and mine (7) were the only kids. I looked at her and said "I guess that makes us Mothers of The Year?"
But overall, it is a family-friendly place and we weren't there til last call!

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M.!.

answers from Columbus on

Depends on what time of day it is. If it is early afternoonto early dinner hours then yes I would. After 7 - No.

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C.F.

answers from Boston on

If they serve food - Sure and its not like your going to be sitting at the bar OR going in there at 10 at night~ Right? LOL
Go enjoy

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J.B.

answers from Phoenix on

If it is a restaurant with a bar inside yes i would. Assuming there is no smoking inside. I know lots of states don't allow it anymore, but if it smokey then no I wouldn't

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

It REALLY depends on the "pub." I am SO against babies and kids in real bars I cannot express it enough. As a mother AND a bar patron, I don't want to see or hear your kid when I'm at a bar. Now that's a "real" bar -or pub. I don't know the ordinances in your area, but I certainly wouldn't take a child into a bar where they allowed smoking. I've also been on the opposite end of that stick -where some mom asked us not to smoke because she decided to bring her baby to a bar at 10 pm -her request was NOT received very well.

Having said all of that, these days there are lots of pub-style restaurants where there's no smoking and it's more of a restaurant vibe with a really good beer list. For that kind of thing, sure, I would take my kids -especially earlier in the evening or late afternoon when it wasn't going to be drunken party central. Look online and see if the place has a website -if they do, you can look over their menu selections and get a feel for the vibe there. Does it seem family friendly or strictly into adults? Some places like that even have kid's menus, so that could give you an idea.

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C.S.

answers from Detroit on

My family does this to us all the time. It is so frustrating. But we go and deal with it. There is usually no smoking and no diaper changing stations. We requested to go somewhere else this past year and thankfully they heard us and we went to a restaurant. I hope they respect that same request this year to. Talk with your family and tell them what you would prefer. Ask if it would be a problem to find another place and if it is only once then my advice is to just go and do your best, it won't be perfect but it is doable. I know. :-)

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S.S.

answers from Cleveland on

Depends on the place, the time of day, and the atmosphere. There is a pub here in Ravenna that I would be OK with taking my 5 yr olds to whose guests range from younger to elderly during meal times - but only during lunch or early dinner (and when there are no big sporting events). Otherwise, if it gets late enough, the partiers arrive at no matter what bar or pub you are at.

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R.N.

answers from Cleveland on

yes. we've taken my son to one long before he was a two-year-old. of course, we'd been there many times before we had kids (we went with my husband's brother and his family), so we knew what it was like and what we were in for.
if you're really that worried, go in separate cars so you can make a quick getaway if things don't turn out to be as the grandparents advertise.

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Oh relax!!!!
Most restaurants have bars, it's how they make most of their money. My son and I have been roadies for a band for over 5 yrs. He is taking a break from it, his girlfriend just had a baby. We had a gig in town recently and they came in during load in and set-up to show off the baby. One woman, who seems to think we all answer to her, comes over and says you aren't keeping that baby here in a bar all night are you???? Idiot woman. Baby and parents were gone before the band started, but since we have a lot of friends who follow the band and I have known these musicians for 29 yrs, they just wanted to show the baby off.
Did you ever consider that if you expose your children to restaurants with bars and show them responsibile drinking, they will grow up with the idea that a person can go to a bar, have fun, and only drink one or two drinks all night. If they don't learn responsibile drinking from you who will they learn it from.

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K.E.

answers from Buffalo on

It is a resturant/pub right? Is she inviting you at normal dinner time or 11 at night? If they have a separate dinning area and the hour is reasonable why not?

Added:
Ok Momma L has a point I am sorry I forget about smoking in eateries, My area has made that against the law, so no resturant, or bar is a smoking area. This is a desicion only you can make.

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M.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

It was nice of them to invite you, but I would get a babysitter. You will all have a better time.

M.L.

answers from Houston on

It depends... is it primarily a bar, or a restaurant with a bar inside? Will it be smokey inside? If theres a non smoking seating area, then it's probably okay... check it out and see if it's family friendly.

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J.D.

answers from Cincinnati on

I would for dinner. I don't see the harm in it. See it as a night that you don't have to cook.

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

As long as she's not drinking, go for it.

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T.B.

answers from Washington DC on

I'm a bit unsure if it is a rest/pub combo or if two separate places. If separate accept dinner invite but decline on the pub. If it is a combo rest/pub then it depends entirely on the atmosphere. If it's like an Applebee's, Chili's environment without smoking and is a reasonable hour then sure. You can always request a table away from the bar area. However if it's more of a "partying" environment then no I would not. We Mom's are always on our guard with our language around our children but unfortunately most other people are not :( I personally get really annoyed while in public when people curse in the presence of children...and I have no problem telling them to watch their mouths in front of my children in places like the grocery store, park, restaurants. However most people will not watch their mouths in a bar/pub drinking environment nor should they feel obligated to because children should not be there. And let's face it, ya never know who is going to drink too much and act like an A$$ or start a fight.

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J.C.

answers from Nashville on

No way should you take that kid to a pub aka bar. Don't feel pressured to do something just b/c family and certain friends think it's ok. Your the mom and your allowed to put your foot down to protect your child.from certain environments and situations. I've never heard of a bar/pub that was kid friendly nor have I ever seen a kid at a pub or bar and I've been to a lot of bars in my day. Trust me on this. People will try to talk you into anything for selfish reasons and to make a buck hence it's got a kid menu. Follow your gut and don't do it.

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J.G.

answers from Dallas on

I would take my daughter to a pub for dinner with family only if it was in the early evening but, in my case, since she is in a face where she hates high chairs and she kind of doesn't behave too good in restaurants anymore I wouldn't take her at all, but only because of those reasons not because of the fact that it's a pub.

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M.

answers from Kokomo on

My suggestion is that you don't be so uptight. My husband's family (mom, dad, grandma, 2 great aunts, and a cousin) go out to eat every Friday night together and the place is wonderful! It is a restaurant that is also a bar and we have joined them on many occasions and the bar is a separate part of the building. But I've also been to other places that are restaurants/pubs and they are very good also. Just so you know my kids are 5 and 2 and me nor my husband smoke.

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R.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

We like pubs. We think they are quaint and cozy. If we are out downtown we often stop into Nicholsons for something to eat our a drink.... all of us. Me, my husband, our 3.5 year old and our twin 9 month olds.

So... yeah. I would.

Now... we do not go into "seedy" places. I have a rule... you have to feel like you CAN actually eat off the table. :-)

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S.B.

answers from Savannah on

Nope. Now if it's mainly a restaurant during the day and a bar at night and you're going for dinner or whatever...but if you're hitting a restaurant and then a place that is a pub only...no way. Children should not be in a bar period.

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

it all depends upon the place.

There are some places I wouldn't take my child. Go in advance and check out the place - the menu, the area, etc.

Personally - I think you are being a pain in the butt - your child has to adapt to life - NOT LIFE ADAPTING to him/her. He/she will HAVE to learn how to behave in places.

If they are asking you to take a 2 year old out at 8PM - then no, you aren't being a pain in the butt, they are being rude to assume that a 2 year old can last past 9 without having a melt down.

You are LUCKY that your BFs parents WANT you involved and they WANT to be around. You could be like many other women on this site that have in-laws, although they aren't that to you, who they hate to be around, ignore them and don't invite or include them in social events.

They want to be involved in your child's (their grandchild's) life - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT!!!! Stop being negative and instead of whining - do some research. It's a RESTAURANT and pub. It's highly unlikely you will be sitting in the bar. Since all the liberals banned smoking in public - what are you concerned about?

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

I agree that it depends on the place. I bought a certificate through Restaurants.com for a place that had moved and had fantastic pizza. I figured it would be a great way to get out for pizza since it is always ordered for home. And I always heard how great the pizza was. Then I saw that a bar is the place that reopened the pizza place. We will still go. I have 4 kids one who will be 3 next month. But we will go during the week and earlier in the evening before the rousing could start. Maybe next week for my older kids' birthday.

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C.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

when i lived in Ohio & the smoking ban was in place, i took my 1 year old to several bar/restaurants. I think its fun! :)

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I think she would be okay since its mainly a restaurant. I would just go this once.

M.

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