Is it wrong to take baby to a bar?

After months of lockdown or new parenthood, there comes a moment when you really want to go to your local bar, enjoy a drink and some adult conversation. The trouble is, when you walk into your bar with your baby you will be walking into another of those hot debates! Is it wrong to take a baby to a bar? There are good arguments on both sides of the debating fence!

There are many places with outside areas that have been specially designed with children in mind and they have tables chairs and often, even a play area. These are certainly the places to visit as a family and especially when your little one is crawling and beyond.

If you are the proud parent of a new baby and feel that you really need a change of scenery and the chance to relax with a chilled beer or other favourite drink, this can work well if you are accompanied by your babe – as long as you think things through first!

People who have no problem with a sleeping baby in a bar, tend to be those without children as those who have children have paid for a babysitter so that they have some leisurely child free time together.

An important point to remember is that in many countries, including the United States, it is illegal to take a baby into a bar, whereas in others, including the UK it's legal.

These are the top tips for making your first trip to the bar, not your last!

Choose your bar carefully

Ideally, you need a bar that has plenty of room, mellow music and a ban on smoking indoors. These bars are usually ones selling food rather than the smaller, older style of bar with little floor space.

Always visit during the day

Bars are not as busy during the day and the music volume is lower. At night, the noise level is definitely greater because bars are the popular place to be loud, emotional and tell dirty jokes – not the right atmosphere for your baby.

Never enter with a stroller

Except if the bar is empty, the presence of a stroller will upset plenty of people and when the place fills up, the stroller will be at best an inconvenience and at worst, a safety hazard. Far better to have your baby in a front sling, where they will be higher and safer and will feel more relaxed as they are closer to you.

Adopt the rule ’noisy baby means exit’

Other bar users do not appreciate a tearful for shouting baby so it is essential that as soon as your baby becomes unhappy, you make a prompt exit.

Appreciate this plan only applies to babies

Unfortunately, unless you can carry your baby, taking them to the bar is not going to work as they will want to do as kids do and run around. Once your child is mobile, you need to plan a visit to a large ‘family friendly’ bar with children’s menu and outside play area.

And why people don’t think babies should be in bars

Parents by taking their baby into a bar are teaching them bad habits.

Their baby could be influenced from an early age

Whilst it is understandable that the parent (s) want to continue their social life after the birth, they should pay for a babysitter so that can relax and so can everyone around them.

You are being selfish!

Many people in the bar will view you as selfish because you are imposing ‘baby friendly’ behaviour on them, when they are child-free and want to enjoy it!

No one wants to hear a baby crying whilst they are trying to catch up with friends over a drink.

The jury is definitely out on this subject, but the bottom line is that although babyhood seems to be lasting forever, it is only a relatively short period of time in the grand scheme of things. Why not wait until you feel confident of leaving your baby with a babysitter so you can go out for a drink with your other half? Better still, why not organise a babysitting group among your friends where you exchange tokens not money? This could be the perfect solution!