This subject came up on another message board, and I'm wondering how people feel about it here. It seems as if more parents allow there children to sit at resort bars, (primarily swim-up bars) to eat lunch or whatever. This of course to me would seem okay if the bar was NOT busy. But if the bar is busy, the kids simply should not be allowed to be at the bar itself. Bars serve mainly alcohol, obviously intended for adults only. Why is it that so many people see it as okay for kids to take up room at the bar. I do NOT dislike children, in fact I love kids, but in my opinion, they do NOT belong at the bar....PERIOD. There are plenty of other areas in most resorts for them to hang out. I'm interested in others comments.

Andy, I'm with you. In general, bars, as well as certain restaurants at supper hours, should NOT be open to children. If a bar has table service during the day or early evening, I don't see a problem with families enjoying dinner. At night, the bar should be for adults only. <BR>Swim up bars should be for adults. Conversation, attitudes and actions at a bar are usually not suitable for kids once the drinking gets started.<BR>I know that when I want to enjoy adult company and conversation, have a romantic (and usually expensive) dinner, or just relax, I don't want to have to watch what I say or do I enjoy the interuption of noisy children, cranky babies or indulgent parents. (I once had a child walk over to my table and take something off my plate while the parents watched and laughed. I gave the dinner bill to the parents. )<BR><BR>I have raised my own kids, and grandkids and they learned how to behave in a family restaurant. Upscale restaurants were for when they became young adults. We didn't take them to bars either.

In many US states it is illegal for a minor to be sitting AT a bar in an establishment that serves alcohol. On the rare occasion that my child has accompanied us to a "bar", we're always careful not to have him at the bar. A table or booth is OK.....but to be at the bar is simply not good.<BR><BR>

Here! Here! I am sooo tired of parents who think it is cute for their children to run amuck where ever they please. What ever happend to my rights to enjoy my meal without all of the clatter. Stay at Chuckie Cheese, that's what it's there for!

I totally agree. This just happen to my wife and I last month. We went over to a nearby resort from our condo to enjoy the swim-up bar. Out of about 12 seats, 6 were taken up by children eating lunch. Granted, everyone is entitled to eating the food that the bar serves, but in my opinion, those kids should of been using the surrounding tables, and NOT sitting at the bar taking space that is meant for adults that wish to consume alcohol. I might of been a little more understanding if the place wasn't busy like someone mentioned in the original post, but is was packed, and we were unable to sit at the swim-up area due to children taking up the space. I sure wish the resort would enforce this a little more. I do however understand that these resorts will always try and cater to their guests, no matter what the situation. One thing is for sure, my kids won't be sitting at any bars until they are old enough to order something.

I totally agree. There are places for families and kids, and those for adults. Bars are for adults.<BR><BR>The other offense are those parents who take their kids on the "Booze Cruise". <BR>What are they thinking? You can't keep track of a child if you, yourself are drinking and partying.

Sure, resorts want to cater to all their guests. But they're certainly not catering to YOU if you can't use the swim up bar because the resort isn't enforcing the "no children at the swim up bar" rule. <BR><BR>Someone needs to do a mass mailing of this well-written thread to every resort / resort chain Administration Office on the Internet. Maybe that'll help. Any takers? I'll certainly help.