Babies in Bars

The old saying, “you want a nipple for that”, has come to reality. Bars in Brooklyn, NY have lured a new crowd. They come in all ages…..under 21 that is, in fact they’re babies. They are cruising up in their strollers, being pushed by mom or dad. Babies in bars has been quite a debate over the past two years.


There’s three sides to every story. These single parents who say the cost of baby sitting is pricey in NY, want to go and enjoy adult company. They only have the children with them in the afternoon and early evening. They don’t get sloshed and let their kids roam all over. They’re going to low-key places where they can have a couple brewski’s and maybe a juice for the kid. They also usually leave by 7pm.

  The childless peeps don’t like the kids are there. They feel they have to watch what they say and do around the kids and it makes them uncomfortable sipping their martini as little Chrissy looks upon with her blue eyes. They also don’t like when they’re asked not to smoke near the parked strollers outside.

Some bar owners see both sides and had to start a rule of “no-kids after 5”. They admit their drinking clientele are not the ones with the kids.

There could be a great business opportunity for any daycare in the area. Maybe they should stay open til 7pm and have a Happy Hour special of their own. Then the parents can enjoy a few cold ones and the kids don’t have to be schlepped to the bar.

I remember my mom telling how her grandparents would take her to the local neighborhood bar and her and my aunt would sit in a booth while nana and pop would sit at the bar. I have to say my mother did not turn out to be an alcoholic from this nor do I see any signs that this has affected her in any way. She laughs about the memory.

Today though there are so many crazy things that people do. Some times you’re not even safe at work. Would we really want to have our children around people who “maybe will be drunk“. Even the chance that some drunken ass may walk by my baby and drop beer on his head or bump into him or worse fall into him. As a parent are we willing to take that risk.

When my kids were 11 and 16 we went to Disney’s Island of Adventures. The kids could go into the bar and we were so excited about it because we all love to dance and this was our chance. My kids are very mature for their ages and I consider my husband a pretty tough man, to that we went in. I found the table farthest away from the action (the place was pretty empty) and when we did go dance I was comfortable. I do have to say, everyone there did realize we’re in Disney and they were underage and they just smiled and turned away. This was a vacation spot where families visited.

These parents feel they’re being responsible but what would you do? What alternative do these parents have? Leave your thoughts below.