Sitting at a bar with your kid(s) (1 Viewer)

[Don Quixote]

Wow this is incredible. Get him lessons ASAP

I may have to look into that -- I've only ever played mini golf and TopGolf, and never played 18 holes; so, I barely know how to swing a golf club myself.  I will need to find some way to nurture it.

I think he may be a bit athletically inclined.  He was on a playdate playing wiffleball with some other kids the same age as him, and the other parents were marveling at how well he was hitting the ball (both off the tee and live pitching).  Not sure where he gets this from.

 

[Eephus]

It’s illegal in CA to have kids sit at the actual bar.

This really depends on the establishment.  I don’t think I would ever even take kids to a dive bar establishment, but I wouldn’t have an issue if we sat at the actual bar at Whole Foods (if it were legal). They are mostly serving food and coffee there anyway.

I'm glad the statute of limitations has expired and my kids turned out OK

 

[jonessed]

I'm glad the statute of limitations has expired and my kids turned out OK

I think it’s on the establishment to enforce.

I didn’t know it existed until fairly recently.  

 

[Drunken knight]

Depends. Not my first choice, but if the “restaurant” area is full/long wait, and we can get in quickly in the bar area, I’m game.

.... would not complain about adult conversation 

 

[Parrothead]

fine with me as long as they are buying

 

[Arizona Ron]

by your qualification of < 14 yo, Yes, I have and would continue (if they were not all older now) to sit in a Bar with them. 

They can order a soda or water or even get a milk shake.  I would not allow them to drink any alcohol nor would I have more than 1 or 2 drinks myself.  The idea is to be responsible and to teach them how to be responsible with alcohol.  

That's an interesting take on the subject.

As a kid, I would go to the bar when I was underage with a family member from time to time.  They never got #### faced but the only thing I thought the whole time was damn this is cool.  I never once considered them to be influenced by alcohol good or bad (at the time). 

 

[Arizona Ron]

I may have to look into that -- I've only ever played mini golf and TopGolf, and never played 18 holes; so, I barely know how to swing a golf club myself.  I will need to find some way to nurture it.

I think he may be a bit athletically inclined.  He was on a playdate playing wiffleball with some other kids the same age as him, and the other parents were marveling at how well he was hitting the ball (both off the tee and live pitching).  Not sure where he gets this from.

You're welcome. 

 

[-fish-]

One of my friends invited a bunch of people to a bar the night he got engaged. One of his fiancée's friends showed up with her 6 month old daughter in a car seat. 

Place got real quiet. 

Why?  Was it his kid?

 

[IrishTwinkie]

To all those taking kids to craft breweries. Why?! I suppose this could be age dependent, but I've seen kids in car seats at various breweries around me. Not old enough to walk. Sometimes way late at night. I always think "this is why baby sitters were invented. Use them or stay home and be a responsible parent." I had a trip to one brewery where brat #1 wasn't getting along with brat #2 and started screaming at the top of her lungs. I was waiting for glass to start shattering. Ruined the vibe of a nice chill relaxing afternoon for everyone else there. The reason I was there was to get away from attention driven kids, not to have them thrust in my face/ear drums. 

/EndRant. Shakes fist. Get off my lawn and out of my craft brewery.

 

[-fish-]

To all those taking kids to craft breweries. Why?! I suppose this could be age dependent, but I've seen kids in car seats at various breweries around me. Not old enough to walk. Sometimes way late at night. I always think "this is why baby sitters were invented. Use them or stay home and be a responsible parent." I had a trip to one brewery where brat #1 wasn't getting along with brat #2 and started screaming at the top of her lungs. I was waiting for glass to start shattering. Ruined the vibe of a nice chill relaxing afternoon for everyone else there. The reason I was there was to get away from attention driven kids, not to have them thrust in my face/ear drums. 

/EndRant. Shakes fist. Get off my lawn and out of my craft brewery.

yeah, the best local brewery near me always has a bunch of kids running around.  never really understood why people would take their kids there.  there is nothing to keep them occupied.  

 

[McJose]

It’s illegal in CA to have kids sit at the actual bar.

Cite?

 

[-fish-]

Cite?

I don't think this is right.   If it's a restaurant with a bar, I think kids can sit anywhere food is served.   

 

[bucksoh]

My dad always had us sitting up at the bar.  Soon as church ended after 0800 mass it was a dash to the bar where we would stay until he was drunk enough to say yes to us walking home.  I however wouldn't do that to my kids.  But I don't have a problem with people that do this.

 

[McJose]

I don't think this is right.   If it's a restaurant with a bar, I think kids can sit anywhere food is served.   

Yep.  

 

[jonessed]

yeah, the best local brewery near me always has a bunch of kids running around.  never really understood why people would take their kids there.  there is nothing to keep them occupied.  

There’s parents, possibly friends, and from what you are saying, other kids there to keep them occupied.

It’s basically a restaurant with less food and more socializing.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

My dad always had us sitting up at the bar.  Soon as church ended after 0800 mass it was a dash to the bar where we would stay until he was drunk enough to say yes to us walking home.  I however wouldn't do that to my kids.  But I don't have a problem with people that do this.

I recommend waiting until local laws allow your kids to drive your drunken self home.  Just tell them to open the passenger door and push you onto the driveway. 

 

[jonessed]

Cite?

Section 25665 of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control states that minors are not allowed to enter or remain within a bar. However, a minor is allowed to enter and remain inside a restaurant that happens to have a bar attached to it.

I believe the bar counter is considered to be exclusive to the bar, but tables in the bar area are not.

 

[IrishTwinkie]

There’s parents, possibly friends, and from what you are saying, other kids there to keep them occupied.

You mean a park or playground? That would be a perfect to place to bring kids! All sorts of other kids, possibly friends and parents there. 

 

[jonessed]

You mean a park or playground? That would be a perfect to place to bring kids! All sorts of other kids, possibly friends and parents there. 

No.  He said there are always a bunch of kids around.  

There are microbreweries around me that always seem to be loaded with kids.  They play cards, watch sports, draw, whatever.  It doesn’t seem that strange.  There was one that paired beer with Girl Scout cookies a few months ago.  Girls Scouts and their families everywhere.  Lots of school and sports team fundraisers as well.  If you are in a family-orientated area it makes sense to cater to families.

 

[IrishTwinkie]

No.  He said there are always a bunch of kids around.  

There are microbreweries around me that always seem to be loaded with kids.  They play cards, watch sports, draw, whatever.  It doesn’t seem that strange.

I was trying to be funny.

I just want my craft-brewery experience to be kid free. If I wanted to drink craft beer with kids around, I'd do it at home. There are other places folks can take their kids that are more appropriate than the local pub/brewery.

 

[-fish-]

There’s parents, possibly friends, and from what you are saying, other kids there to keep them occupied.

It’s basically a restaurant with less food and more socializing.

there is no food.   they serve nothing but beer.   there are long tables for people to sit and drink beer.    there is nothing else.  there are no TV's, no games.   just tables, benches and beer.

does that sound like something a kid would enjoy?

 

[Drunken knight]

I was trying to be funny.

I just want my craft-brewery experience to be kid free. If I wanted to drink craft beer with kids around, I'd do it at home. There are other places folks can take their kids that are more appropriate than the local pub/brewery.

Many around us are getting more and more family friendly (more activities).... changing to market demands.

edit: and almost all offer food.

 

[jonessed]

there is no food.   they serve nothing but beer.   there are long tables for people to sit and drink beer.    there is nothing else.

does that sound like something a kid would enjoy?

That depends on the people.

 

[IrishTwinkie]

Many around us are getting more and more family friendly (more activities).... changing to market demands.

edit: and almost all offer food.

Agreed about more and more becoming family friendly. It bottles my mind, but this is probably a generational thing. Interestingly enough, most around me aren't offering food. Most offer the occasional food truck or allow you to bring your own. 

 

[jonessed]

Many around us are getting more and more family friendly (more activities).... changing to market demands.

edit: and almost all offer food.

The ones that don’t have food work with local restaurants for delivery.  There’s dozens around me.  I can’t think of one that doesn’t have food or encourage a food option.

Very different than what I would consider a traditional bar.

 

[Drunken knight]

Agreed about more and more becoming family friendly. It bottles my mind, but this is probably a generational thing. Interestingly enough, most around me aren't offering food. Most offer the occasional food truck or allow you to bring your own. 

The ones that don’t work with local restaurants for delivery.  There’s dozens around me.  I can’t think of one that doesn’t have food or encourage a food option.

Very different than what I would consider a traditional bar.

"Well,  if we offer some low cost entertainment that saves you the cost a of a baby-sitter, and provide you with good beer and food...maybe you come with a group of friends and stay for a while."

 

[-fish-]

Section 25665 of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control states that minors are not allowed to enter or remain within a bar. However, a minor is allowed to enter and remain inside a restaurant that happens to have a bar attached to it.

I believe the bar counter is considered to be exclusive to the bar, but tables in the bar area are not.

that section is talking about the difference between a bar and a restaurant that serves alcohol.   in a restaurant that serves alcohol, a kid can sit anywhere they serve food.  I used to manage restaurants in San Diego, and this law is the same as the one that existed back then.  unless there's something else you're looking at, it's just a policy whether kids can sit at the actual bar in a restaurant.  

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Agreed about more and more becoming family friendly. It bottles my mind, but this is probably a generational thing. Interestingly enough, most around me aren't offering food. Most offer the occasional food truck or allow you to bring your own. 

Let's just say it. It's a way to go out drinking without getting a babysitter.

 

[bucksoh]

I recommend waiting until local laws allow your kids to drive your drunken self home.  Just tell them to open the passenger door and push you onto the driveway. 

It was my dad, not me.

 

[jonessed]

that section is talking about the difference between a bar and a restaurant that serves alcohol.   in a restaurant that serves alcohol, a kid can sit anywhere they serve food.  I used to manage restaurants in San Diego, and this law is the same as the one that existed back then.  unless there's something else you're looking at, it's just a policy whether kids can sit at the actual bar in a restaurant.  

I’ve been told by bartenders and restaurant owners that they can’t have kids sitting at the actual bar.  They can have kids sit at bar tables, but not at the actual bar.

Maybe they were lying.  I don’t really care one way or another.

 

[-fish-]

I’ve been told by bartenders and restaurant owners that they can’t have kids sitting at the actual bar.  They can have kids sit at bar tables, but not at the actual bar.

again, that's a policy.  there is no law preventing kids from sitting at a bar in a restaurant.   one of the places I managed allowed it; another prohibited it.   owner's choice.   

we had alcohol and beverage control in all the time at the place that allowed kids to sit at the bar.  never an issue.  

 

[-fish-]

In Washington, kids aren't even allowed to walk through a bar area to get to the bathroom.   One of the most popular restaurants in my town is 21+ only because of where the bathrooms are located.   

 

[McJose]

Section 25665 of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control states that minors are not allowed to enter or remain within a bar. However, a minor is allowed to enter and remain inside a restaurant that happens to have a bar attached to it.

I believe the bar counter is considered to be exclusive to the bar, but tables in the bar area are not.

 

So where does it say a kid can’t sit AT a bar, like belly-up, at a place like Chili’s?

 

[parasaurolophus]

Why?  Was it his kid?

Nope. She just wanted to come to the party. 

 

[cheese]

To all those taking kids to craft breweries. Why?! I suppose this could be age dependent, but I've seen kids in car seats at various breweries around me. Not old enough to walk. Sometimes way late at night. I always think "this is why baby sitters were invented. Use them or stay home and be a responsible parent." I had a trip to one brewery where brat #1 wasn't getting along with brat #2 and started screaming at the top of her lungs. I was waiting for glass to start shattering. Ruined the vibe of a nice chill relaxing afternoon for everyone else there. The reason I was there was to get away from attention driven kids, not to have them thrust in my face/ear drums. 

/EndRant. Shakes fist. Get off my lawn and out of my craft brewery.

It’s not as easy as you think to get a good babysitter. We have had horrible experiences trying and don’t live near family. My kids usually know people and other kids when they go so they like it (for sure prefer it to a babysitter).  I kindve see how it’s annoying for non kid people, but I’d say a huge demographic for craft beer is young parents and if we aren’t bringing our kids we’re staying home so I see why they cater to it. 

 

[Buckychudd]

Yes and yes. Although as stated earlier there are states where they can't sit at the actual bar. 

My 9 yo is a football fanatic and will sometimes go sit at the bar himself to watch games and chat up the other patrons. 

 

[GregR]

First thing I'd do is say something like, "holy #### I have kids!?!?!?!?"

 

[Zow]

To all those taking kids to craft breweries. Why?!

I thought I clearly stated why.  

 

[ZenoRazon]

I can't see any reason to have a kid anywhere around a bar.  I;m pretty sure I could figure out some different way to do things.

 

[Arizona Ron]

Yes and yes. Although as stated earlier there are states where they can't sit at the actual bar. 

My 9 yo is a football fanatic and will sometimes go sit at the bar himself to watch games and chat up the other patrons. 

Joking, right?

 

[AAABatteries]

Bar, no.  Bar area, sure.  Any time we go to a restaurant and it's packed, we'll sometimes sit in the bar area if those come available.  I don't think I'd choose the bar area if there were seats available in the dining area, though.  

This 

 

[Arizona Ron]

I don't get why some of the local breweries don't have food.  I was at one a few weeks ago, there were at least 50 people milling around just drinking beers.  I mean get a snack machine with some chips or anything FFS.  We had a few drinks and left to get food because we were starving. 

Drinking makes me hungry, I can't be alone on this one. 

 

[Mjolnirs]

Too many variables.  Time of day and any major sporting event going on are the top two off the top of my head.  But I think most often the answer would be no for the bar and most likely not for the bar area.

When my son was younger (<10) I took him to the first "sports bar" in the area on an NFL Sunday.  We had a blast watching all of the different games.  Naturally it was a Sunday afternoon and most people were there to watch football ... not an overly drunk crowd.

If I am going out in the evening for a family dinner, most likely not.  I have an issue with people swearing around kids (have confronted people in stores and at youth sports events), and would know better than sitting my family down in that situation.  Besides that, I have this odd desire to actually converse with people at my table and not have to shout to do so.  Therefore I usually avoid the louder areas of restaurants/bars.  Cannot stand people in such a place that think everyone wants to hear their conversation.

 

[Buckychudd]

Joking, right?

Nope.  It's usually middle of the day at restaurants that have a bar, not hard core sports bars. 

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Best age is from when they are able to drive (16?) to when they are legal to drink (21?). Always have a designated driver for the ride home.

 

[-fish-]

I don't get why some of the local breweries don't have food.  I was at one a few weeks ago, there were at least 50 people milling around just drinking beers.  I mean get a snack machine with some chips or anything FFS.  We had a few drinks and left to get food because we were starving. 

Drinking makes me hungry, I can't be alone on this one. 

Most states have a tasting room license for these places that is easier to get and cheaper than a regular liquor license or even a beer and wine license.  Part of the tasting room license is a restriction on any retail food sales, including pre-packaged foods.