Cafes/brasseries and kids

If the bar is not crowded and bar stools are available you could get the kids there. A lot of bars are strictly stand up and the bar can be high. Some times the tables clearly in the bar will be the same price IF you pick it up at the bar and take it to the table. However, many times I have seen servers for those tables and prices will be different. The comment that kids drink wine in Europe is silly. On special occasions kids might have a highly diluted glass of wine with the adults but to suggest that you kids could/should drink wine at the bar is inappropriate. I have never encounter kids at a bar in Spain. Have seen them in the bar area at tables but never sitting at a bar. And couple time when our boys were in that age range we were asked to leave the bar area and go into the restaurant. That was rare but it did happen.

It would be totally acceptable in a cafe. I will let someone with more experience with French bars comment on the French situation.

We go to France every year and I've never heard that eating at a cafe counter is cheaper. Yes it can be cheaper to get your morning coffee standing up at the bar, especially in touristy areas, but food? I highly doubt it. Most cafes have small counters and the only people you see there are drinking coffee or wine or an apertif; many of these places don't even have barstools. I can't ever remember seeing people eat at a cafe counter. And yes your kids will be welcome at any cafe and brasserie. I honestly don't think they'd be looked at funny in any restaurant, either.

My 14 yr old was served beer in a pub outside London.

My 11 yr old was poured wine at dinner in France,, serveral times. I poured some water in it, the staff did not offer to at all,, LOL
I was raised this way,, so it doesn't faze me,, but realize Americans are not used to it,, and also, kids with parents at restaurants are treated differently,, its not like a kid could walk into a bar and get a rum and coke,LOL

Brasseries typically welcome families, and surprisingly (compared to the US), most children seem to be very well behaved.

In France (and Belgium and the Netherlands), it usually is not possible to eat at the counter, except in pubs or brown cafes. Outdoor seating, if available, may be more expensive, but this isn't universal.

As with so many things, <ça depend> is probably the best answer. But, great to know that there is no general prohibition or gotcha to worry about. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Happy travels!

R

Wild guesses and urban myths cause a lot of problems: the legal drinking age in France is 18, although private consumption at a younger age is not proscribed. C’est la loi!

We spent 3 weeks in France in the summer of 2008 with 2 kids - ages 11 & 16 and found absolutely no problems with kids being welcomed or accepted. I'm sure the staff would serve your kids at the counter, but I recommend a table for the comfort - I don't think there was much difference in cost. As far as alcohol, there were several occasions when the staff asked me if it was ok for my 16year old son to have wine and we let him try a little - Why Not? I totally enjoyed our trip and wouldn't take anything for the experience of travelling with my kids!!! Enjoy!