Backlash Against Child-Toting Bar Hoppers
As Brownstone Brooklyn becomes increasingly overrun by the stroller set, certain people have had enough, especially as the last sanctuary of grown-up decadence and childlessness has been invaded: In the arty, stroller-infested Brooklyn neighborhood [of Park Slope], the nearly 3-year-old smoking ban has had an additional effect beyond vexing nicotine addicts: It’s made bars more…
As Brownstone Brooklyn becomes increasingly overrun by the stroller set, certain people have had enough, especially as the last sanctuary of grown-up decadence and childlessness has been invaded:
In the arty, stroller-infested Brooklyn neighborhood [of Park Slope], the nearly 3-year-old smoking ban has had an additional effect beyond vexing nicotine addicts: It’s made bars more welcoming for young parents and their offspring. And while that may be a welcome development for thirsty moms and dads, it’s an affront to those, like Andy Heidel, who see bars as a last refuge from the kids who overrun local restaurants and cafes. “A bar is a place for adults,” Heidel, a 36-year-old writer, says flatly. “It’s not a playground for your child. What the hell are these people thinking?”
We’re guilty of bringing the young ‘uns along with us to an occasional early dinner out but can completely understand why there are those who would prefer to drink in peace.
Lowering the Bar [NY Post]
I think the point is that parents look at neighborhoods like park slope as having no real boundaries. Park Slope is a child friendly area, but that doesn’t eliminate the need for decorum. There’s no law against bringing the runts anywhere and the consequences are basically a dirty look or an earful. Ultimately it’s just manners whether you’re in abroad or in the US (overseas, a stranger will smack your kid if it gets out of line). You have them or you don’t.
“Kids are a responsibility – they change your life.”
Hear, hear! Too bad for you, keep your kids out of the bars. BTW, i OWN two restaurant/bars, right here in gotham, and I don’t want your kids any time of the day or night, any day of the week.
Why? Because parents let their little darlings scream, cry, throw food, wander, play with anything that’s not nailed down, generally get underfoot (waiters are working, and they’re CARRYING things), and even WALK INTO THE KITCHEN.
You heard it here, indulgent moms and dads. I don’t want your kids and I don’t want your business. Too-da-loo!
I’d agree that you need to define ‘bar’ — if it has food, you will have children there. The Waterfront Ale House is a great example — wonderful beer, good food, child- and drinker-friendly. We often have dinner there with the little ‘un (although I would certainly take him outside if he acted up).
Granted, I wouldn’t want him there after dinner, but given what a decent babysitter costs (upwards of $15/hour), it’s not always an option.
No – not minors….just incompetent indulgent self-centered parents should be barred. Kids are usually okay when separated from such influences.
Me, i made the comment about being “ashamed”. “Sit quitely”, “not scream or yell”, “dont run around”. Are we talking about a bar or church on sunday? I know plenty of adults who don sit quietely and scream and yell louder as the libations flow. Are you complaining about those azzholes? For that matter, do you see me, a parent who has taken his kids to a drinking establishment, complaining about these azzholes?
There are many adult only establishments. The problem is that many of the places you call bars are really restuarants that have bars. If i want to take be kids out to a restuarant/bar at 8:30 and we dont finish until 10, 10:30, i’m sorry if we ruined your nite. But you have to realize also that you are in a restuarant/bar and thats what happens. If you really want to get away from the kids go to these places latter or go to a real bar.(Drinks only, no food). I’m not sure about NY, but in many states, minors are prohibited from entering strictly drinking establishments at all times of day.
Are you suggesting that these restuarant/bars prohibit minors after a certain time?
I’m fine w/ having kids in bars as long as they’re not acting obnoxious or dominating the scene (and I’d say the same thing about adults in bars)–
But the Anon 12:41 who said that shame is the only reason why people might not want kids in bars is a symptom of the problem that makes reasonable adults hostile to kids. There are perfectly legitimate reasons to want an adults-only space– and parents who don’t recognize that really make things worse for the rest of us, parents & non-parents alike.
(I don’t have kids but have lots of friends who do, and I think it’s a drag when they are more stuck in the mud of staying home than they have to be. having kids shouldn’t = a martha stewart home imprisonment.)
Anon at 12;45 — its not about being ashamed at what happens in bars, its about the kids MISBEHAVING in bars and other “adult” establishments like restaurants.
If a baby, toddler, or kid can sit quietly, not scream or yell, and not run around, then yeah, maybe you have a point. But from what I’ve seen, the parents that bring their kids to “adult” establishments usually fail to train their children to behave and do not discipline their children at all. The kids run amok, yell, scream, cry, and generally bring misery to the other, non-parent adults that were trying to have a nice evening out.
I find it much worse that people bring very young children to movies – at least at a bar people may not notice a kid as much because it’s loud, but if you are going to see an R rated movie at 9 pm that you paid $10 for, your child does not belong with you. That’s what babysitters are for. I find that way worse than someone bringing a kid to a bar (although I think that’s pretty bad). Kids are a responsibility – they change your life. “Change” meaning “I can’t necessarily do all the things I used to do anymore” – this would include barhopping.
Whats a BAR?? – Sure Great Lakes and Loki are easy to define as bars as they have no food – but what about 200 5th? – Personally I agree that purely drinking establishments really arent appropriate for kids (although why should anyone care about a sleeping toddler on a Sunday Afternoon I dont know) BUT I happen to think that places that are a hybrid restaurant and bar are actually THE BEST place to bring young kids to eat – cause then no one can hear them.