Last time we went to the UK it was just my husband and I and some of our best memories are from lunches/dinners and talking with people in pubs. This time we'll have our 4yr old daughter with us and I wonder if it's inappropriate to bring her to a pub for a meal? I would never think of bringing her to a bar in the US but somehow a pub feels different. Any thoughts?
Posted by
OP
Fort Worth, TX, USA
2 posts
That definitely helps. Thanks for the info. Pubs have always felt different, more family friendly to me, but it's nice to check your personal barometer now and then. I think we'll enjoy the locals with our 4 yr old!
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
47 posts
The Good Pub Guide lists whether or not children are welcome in the pubs profiled in their guide. They also list whether or not the place has a children's menu. (Or, at least they did in my 2009 copy).
http://www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk/
I had good luck with the pubs I chose due to the Good Pub Guide, although I also had plenty of luck when I randomly chose pubs based on their feel/availability as opposed to always looking one up.
Posted by
Atlanta
1358 posts
Pubs are different. We had a large group in Ireland last summer, kids ranging from 3 to 17. We did some lunchtime - late afternoon pub stops with all of them and had no problem. We took some of the older ones with us at night, too.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2804 posts
When our girls were younger we took them into pubs for lunches/dinners and had no problem.
Posted by
Manchester
497 posts
The law is different in the UK than in Ireland (and is slightly different within in the UK too,) so be careful about using experiences in the RoI.
The page Steve googled up is mostly correct but it simplifies the situation too much (or perhaps pre-dates recent changes to the law.) and the 9pm limit is not so clear-cut.
For a pub to allow children their alcohol licence must allow children, some pubs don't have a so-called 'children's licence' so don't allow kids at all. Those that allow children will have different limitations imposed by the licensing authority, children may be limited to a separate dining area and usually have to leave by a certain time of the night.
The only way to be sure if children are allowed (and when) is to ask at the bar. For the most part it's quite easy to guess where children are allowed, pubs that derive a large part of their business from food are more likely to allow children than 'drinking' pubs. It's quite easy to tell from the way tables are set out, and the other clientèle, and some pubs are to all intents and purposes restaurants. You'll have much more luck eating with children at lunchtime or for an early dinner (although many pubs stop serving food quite early anyway.)
P.S. I noticed I focussed on the legal aspect, culturally there is no problem in Britain taking children into a pub for a meal - assuming the pub allows it and it's the 'right sort' of pub.
Location matters to, rural pubs are more likely be more child (and food) friendly than urban ones. Although towns and cities have plenty of both kinds of pub.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2074 posts
We saw many families with their young children enjoying a meal in many pubs as we traveled through smaller villages and towns in southern England last May.
Posted by
Marlborough, MA, USA
144 posts
Having been to ireland more times than i have fingers i can tell you that as long as you are there with your children of any age you will be allowed in. many places wont let you stand at the bar but with a young child you would want to sit anyways.
just watch out for the recruiters. when i was 11 me and my dad were in a pub in belfast and another time in roscommon and IRA guys tried to recruit me...haha one of my best memories as a child