Just wondering peoples thoughts on this and the reasoning behind it.
For years I have taken my son to unnamed local bar in a rural setting. Sometimes we sit at a table, sometimes we sit at the bar if there is enough space. In either case, we never stay late and let him see all the late night shenanigans. We have food, a couple drinks, watch some sports, and leave.
Tonight we sat at the bar and were told “no kids at the bar”. Have to admit it kinda pissed me off.
Personally I dont care. I’ve done it before a few times, both as a kid and as a parent lol. It wouldn’t anger me If I was told no. I’m sure there are legal implications involved
If you don’t mind your kids learning new things then I don’t mind them at the bar. Middle of the day or supper time but 10 pm might be different.
I think there’s worse things for a kid to experience than a rural bar scene. Having said that, the problem and the reasons are probably due to bad parents, not bad kids.
Meaning kids are welcome to sit at a table there, just not at the bar? I wonder if it’s more about prime real estate maybe? Adults sitting at the bar might order more booze than sitting at a table, so a bar spot lost to a kid generates less revenue. Just a guess.
I’m sure there are legal implications involved
That’s what I would assume to.
Meaning kids are welcome to sit at a table there, just not at the bar? I wonder if it’s more about prime real estate maybe? Adults sitting at the bar might order more booze than sitting at a table, so a bar spot lost to a kid generates less revenue. Just a guess.
I agree. This was my main thought.
North Dakota laws are generally a bit more favorable than MN laws in my mind. However, ND law does not allow anyone under 21 to even be IN a bar. I couldn’t bring my baby in to JL Beers or an Irish pub (both places have great food) because they are technically “bars” and not “bar and grills”
North Dakota laws are generally a bit more favorable than MN laws in my mind. However, ND law does not allow anyone under 21 to even be IN a bar. I couldn’t bring my baby in to JL Beers or an Irish pub (both places have great food) because they are technically “bars” and not “bar and grills”
I think there are exceptions to that; pretty sure ND passed a law a few years ago letting kids into bars until like 8 or 10 pm since in many towns it’s the only place to get food. At a place like JL Beers it might be more their decision, or the city might have that ordinance. Guessing it’s something with the terms of the liquor license.
Happens all the time while we’re shooting pool, kids will run up to the table and start grabbing balls and throwing them down the pockets. If the kids behave and stay seated with parents, I’ve got no problem. Problem is, parents let their kids treat the bar/restaurant like it’s a playground.
Rural areas I’m ok with but not after let’s say 5 or 6
Metro areas, I’m saying not so much.
and X2 on nails point
This brings back a memory. When I was kid 60 years ago. If I wasn’t in school, I was usually with my Gramps. He would stop at a bar. Go in and bring me out a soda. Then leave me in the truck for an hour or 2. Never thought anything about it. Wouldn’t the “Karens” of the world have a ball with that now days. One lake we fished. The bar on the way home was across from the river. I’d grab my stuff and be fishing when he came out. Fond memories letting me drive home when I was 12 or 13. Till Grama caught us. He had hell to pay. He just grabbed a beer and went and sat in his chair.
I’d have to agree with Dan and Sharon on this. I don’t have a problem with it, as long as the kids and parents are behaved. Most times I have seen it, the kids were great, and very respectful, and parents had one maybe two drinks, or just drank soda with the kids. There was a time once where the bartender should have served the parent coffee instead of a beer.
If a parent was going to let a kid take a sip. It would be easier done in a corner booth.
Other side. The bar is where a lot of folks go as a sanctuary to vent and discuss stuff that’s maybe not appropriate elsewhere. More the dive or corner bar with no food.
No kids for me. Majority of young ones are running all over, too many parents think it’s cute. “Other peoples kids” isn’t new.
No kids for me. Majority of young ones are running all over, too many parents think it’s cute. “Other peoples kids” isn’t new.
X2
Pretty common for breweries in the city to have strollers, high chairs, etc. Not sure what to think of it honestly, just not my thing I know
I grew up in Wisconsin…..So yeah lol
The boys kicked some ass yesterday 
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Depends on the place. The son and I will go to the local watering hole and grab a couple burgers, I’ll have 1 beer and he has his kiddie cocktail. If it’s busy we try to grab a high top if it’s slow we sit at the bar. Really depends on place and times. I understand if they don’t want kids at the bar. I don’t want to sit with other peoples kids when I’m trying to catch a buzz or bitch about my day, then again I never really go to a bar
Depends. Kids taking up seats at an empty bar no big deal but not when it’s busy or if an adult wants to sit there. It’s generally frowned upon in the small bars I visit around the cabin.
Meaning kids are welcome to sit at a table there, just not at the bar? I wonder if it’s more about prime real estate maybe? Adults sitting at the bar might order more booze than sitting at a table, so a bar spot lost to a kid generates less revenue. Just a guess.
I’m inline with your thinking.
Kids in the bar-no problem if they are not running wild.If they run around screaming and carrying on,nope.The adults do enough of that.
I would’nt care where there sitting as long as they are.
As a kid growing up in the 80’s, I remember many nights spent at the bar with my father and grandfather after a day fishing in Northern Wisconsin. Summer or winter it didn’t matter, that’s where we went after fishing. Usually it was the launch we used so it was convenient. I would load up on change from them, get a kiddie cocktail, and hit the puck bowling, pinball, or whatever arcade they had. I could also sit on the dock and catch panfish while they drank until our food was ready.
I still see it today, but not nearly as much, I don’t mind it usually, but as others have said, if the kids are not being attended to and left to go wild. Then they can be a PIA. I think times have changed and people also look at kids in bar different then back then.
Depends on the place. Some places have good food and I will bring my son in. Having a kid in the bar because you are getting a bite to eat is one thing. We always get a table, are out by 7, and he is not running around. I stick to water when I am driving. So they might not like that. Growing up there was only one place close enough to bike to and that was the bar and grill. They would allow us to play pool until 7 and then we had to leave even if were not done with our game. If the kids are running around that is not a kid in the bar problem. That is a parent problem.
I also did this as a kid a fair amount, yep a few bucks and you had enough quarters to play games for a good while. Have taken my kids a couple times around dinner time and left by 6 or 7.
Depends. Kids taking up seats at an empty bar no big deal but not when it’s busy or if an adult wants to sit there. It’s generally frowned upon in the small bars I visit around the cabin.
This !!!
Can you imagine the kid telling the story… ” well I was sitting at the bar when….”
I think the dynamic changes rural vs urban along with the time of night. 7 pm rural Iowa , always kids in the bar . Hardly a problem . I could see how a nice upscale bar in the city could be a red flag . I have no problem with it in a rural dive bar setting unless it’s way past bed time and the parents are negligent .
Used to do it a little as a kid . Had fun playing pull that way under age lol .
Having said that, the problem and the reasons are probably due to bad parents, not bad kids.
100%. Well behaved kids at the bar are no issue, but ones that are out of control are.
I grew up in Wisconsin…..So yeah lol
The boys kicked some ass yesterday
I am not sure that is technically legal for them to pull them is it? Not that I care or anything, but I know the owners at a bar and they actually told a family their kids couldnt pull the tickets or the bar could lose their gambling license.
Ive heard that before. If the kid opens the winner they cant pay them.
There are times I’ve seen adults in a bar, kids would of been better with there behavior. 
There are two completely different angles being discussed here.
In the building at a table or seated at the bar. Quite a difference, especially if they serve food.
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