Should SODA Ban Kids?

Drano wrote: [quote=kristina]Maybe I think differrently because I don't have kids. but I have a nephew, and I would take him to a cafe and/or some restaurants. I see kids all over prospect perk. cool- they even have toys and games so the kids don't get bored while the parents hang out. but I just wouldn't take a kid to a bar.

Yeah, it's a little weird. I don't personally take may kid to bars, but if you don't like the scene, don't go. Time will tell if being kid-friendly is the right business decision on their part, but I doubt they are feeling the pinch so far...

I don't think it's impacted them negatively at all. I've discussed it with some of the bartenders and basically Soda is generally dead during the day during the week. their first customers tend to be parents strolling in with their kids for happy hour after work. that is, unless one of the aardvark classes was held. in that case, there are already tons of kids and parents in the place. on the weekends during the day, apparently around half of the revenue is generated by folks bringing their kids in for lunch or hanging out. and I'm sure when the patio opens more parents will be showing up. the presence of kids before 9 has not impacted their non-kid-in-tow business at all. I was in there last night between 10 and 11 p.m. and the place was packed, as usual. being kid friendly has been a smart business move on Soda's part.

People don't seem to get that after a nice spring day when you take your kid to park, and the zoo and a playground with the occasional nap and snack (for them) in between it's nice to unwind at a more age-integrated place at the end of a day. It's not either/or.

If people think the stroller set does not take their kids to the park, zoo, children's museum, botanic garden, etc. they maybe have not been to those places lately.

Do people write to bar owners and complain when there are drunk losers bothering them as the night progresses? I mean, with what frequency does one have to fend off a drunk guy who doesn't get the message that just because you said "hi" it doesn't mean you want him to join you at your table for the rest of the eve? Surely more annoying than kids (who are much easier to move when they're in your space).

Happy Hour: Buy 2, get free vasectomy?

The Dads are somehow more acceptable to you? Their offspring less hateful?

I hate yuppies of all sexes equally. And all children as well.

devincf wrote: I hate yuppies of all sexes equally. And all children as well.

I'm sure the yuppies and kids hate you, too.

Are you downwardly mobile or just laterally mobile?

Medusa wrote: Are you downwardly mobile or just laterally mobile?

ang-u-lar

I guess I'm old but when I roll to soda late night on fri or sat its usually packed with kids/children, most of them are'nt exactly super adult behaved either, I'm guessing most of them are still on allowance as well.

dailyheights wrote: I'm supposed to stay neutral, but I just have to ask in follow-up to Sterling2000's comment. devincf, how is your mentality any different from the mentality that says "I hate gay people"? Or are you just being sarcastic and/or silly?

or scary...

Captain M wrote: Whats the age cutoff for the Ardvark stuff? Can I get in on it? If they let me in we can call it even.

Get out your checkbook:

http://www.musicforbrooklyn.com/

Medusa wrote: People don't seem to get that after a nice spring day when you take your kid to park, and the zoo and a playground with the occasional nap and snack (for them) in between it's nice to unwind at a more age-integrated place at the end of a day. It's not either/or.

If people think the stroller set does not take their kids to the park, zoo, children's museum, botanic garden, etc. they maybe have not been to those places lately.

Do people write to bar owners and complain when there are drunk losers bothering them as the night progresses? I mean, with what frequency does one have to fend off a drunk guy who doesn't get the message that just because you said "hi" it doesn't mean you want him to join you at your table for the rest of the eve? Surely more annoying than kids (who are much easier to move when they're in your space).

I don't have kids and not too sure that I want children, not because I don't like them, or that I don't think I would be a great dad, but I am not willing to make what I think should be the necessary changes in my life, that would accomidate them. Changes like not always being able to interact with people my own age when I want to, or have a drink in the afternoon when the mood strikes me, because the right thing to do would be to put the needs saftey and well being of my child first I think that children in a bar/pub is a bad idea. You can make a distinction between a bar that serves food, and a restaurant with a bar very easily, those that blur the line I feel use that grey zone to make having children in a bar more acceptable to them
To me the bottom line is that having children comes with a ton of responsibility, and some changes in your behavior that some, not all people are not willing to make.

Do you really think that the people who take their kids to Soda are irresponsible in some way? I'm speaking of Soda specifically (and, of course, by extension, people who take their kids there, like me, dailyheights, quig and Stacey).

It seems like you're talking more about a hypothetical bar than about Soda.

pensodyssey wrote: Hell no, they shouldn't be allowed to bring kids into Soda. We're not aloud to go to the local P.S. and have a kegger in the cafeteria, are we?

Seperate but equal!!!

Dude have you been to PS 9? Its called the liquid lunch

Actually my son still laughs about you

Medusa wrote: Do you really think that the people who take their kids to Soda are irresponsible in some way? I'm speaking of Soda specifically (and, of course, by extension, people who take their kids there, like me, dailyheights, quig and Stacey).

It seems like you're talking more about a hypothetical bar than about Soda.

Yes I'm speaking in broad terms, it just seems to me that again in broad terms there are some, not all, some parents that don't recognize that life choices need to be made when having children, big ones, and small daily ones, like should I go into a bar or should I not. For me if I were a parent, I would not take my child to a bar.
In terms of being in a bar with children, I work with kids daily, I can tune them in and out so it would not bother me, if they did I would either leave or tell the mom or dad to control their kid.