Stroller Brigade

I'm not normally in touch with current goings-on, but I happened to check in with Brownstoner today and was led to the following link about an apparent parent manifesto regarding a stroller ban at Union Hall.

As the parent of two 'stroller age' children (I know the rules are stretched in Park Slope and they may be a bit old for this and as an aside - I did retire our stroller a couple of months ago) - I am wondering at these parents who are fighting for their rights to bring toddlers into drinking establishments. Doesn't that rob all of the fun from it? I know that on the rare nights we get a sitter and are able to frequent such establishments we are almost giddy with the adult composition of its patrons. Must you also take this away? Please - Think about making bar-going an event rather than an everyday occurrence or an afternoon afterthought!

Plus, it's probably not the best example. When my kid clanks a juice box 'cheers' to his playmate I am thinking about future responsibilities and possible 'interventions.'

I remember the brouhaha when Patio Bar posted a child-unfriendly notice on their chalkboard. Well what do you expect? It may have been crudely done, but in my mind children and bars do not belong together. Let us hold onto at least a couple of things from our pre-childbearing years. Let us be able to masquerade as childless adults, out for a mindless drink, not worried about snacks and sippy cups. Just for a couple of hours.

Thank you.

Comments

[oneofhismoms]

It's not like I'm a regular at Cheers or anything, but I do recall a time we had to take Cakie to an early evening birthday party (for one of our friends) at a bar. We didn't have a sitter, but we were glad to be out. I would have been annoyed if we weren't allowed to bring in the stroller. Also, if I had a newborn and I wanted to meet a friend to chat over wine, I'd strap that baby in a carrier and go. I don't think bars should be chock full o' toddlers and mother's groups like Tea Lounge or anything, but I also think people need to get out of their houses sometimes, even if they don't have $100 bucks for a sitter.

[oneofhismoms]

Upon further reflection, I'd like to add that if I did feel the need to take a baby to a bar, I certainly wouldn't bother going to one that had a "no stroller" policy.

[woolypear]

technically, don't you have to be of drinking age to be in such an establishment?

[Kris]

That's an interesting question. There are places like Tea Lounge that serve alcohol but are mainly coffee and light food places - I don't think of that as a bar at all and it must technically be considered a restaurant. I don't know what the rules are for 'real' bars like the Gate or Patio. But it must be within their rights to refuse underagers, else there'd be a lot of lawsuits you would think...

[woolypear]

there's a cinema here in austin that serves food and alcohol (you can have dinner and wine while you watch a flick), and because of that, they have rules about no kids after 6pm. and in england, some pubs don't allow children. i think people are lenient about having babies because most people aren't going to allow their toddlers to drink, but if they carded you, those kids would not get in.