Kids at WDW bars and lounges--are they allowed??

[Uncleromulus]

This has come up before and the answer is yes--they are allowed. By law and by WDW.

Two Saturdays ago we were at Narcoosee's bar having dinner when a family of 5 (2 adults, 3 kids about 6-10 years old) sat down at the bar and had a full meal. Thankfully the kids were well behaved.

Now I should say we don't see this too often which is good, since we sit at the bar precisely to avoid the kids.

 

[Jestocost]

This has come up before and the answer is yes--they are allowed. By law and by WDW.

Two Saturdays ago we were at Narcoosee's bar having dinner when a family of 5 (2 adults, 3 kids about 6-10 years old) sat down at the bar and had a full meal. Thankfully the kids were well behaved.

Now I should say we don't see this too often which is good, since we sit at the bar precisely to avoid the kids.

There are a few exceptions, such as Trader Sam's after a certain time.

 

[Uncleromulus]

That's just an individual bar policy I suppose. Trader Sams isn't really a "restaurant" is it???

The family at Narcoossee's came in around 8:30 as I recall and stayed for just about an hour until 9:30 or so....

 

[DrivenByDisney]

I don't mind children in the bar areas if it is restaurant as well. We typically sit at the bars as well, though just to make certain we can eat somewhere near the times we would like without ADR's. Other than the aforementioned Trader Sam's, I am not sure there is an "adult only" bar on Disney property anymore.

I don't even think Rix has an age limit that I know of as it does serve food as well. Although it is just breakfast and lunch so they may actually have an age limit for their evening activities. Really not 100% sure.

 

[powellrj]

Indiana has an over 21 rule for bars and I love it! I do wish at times they would lower it to 18 so my college aged kids could eat with us, but still I love being able to go out at times and know we will be toddler free for an evening. Before you bash me, I love kids, I am a grandma, but it seems there is no place toddler free anymore, even R rated movies have parents bringing kids in. There are times we enjoy a kids free evening.

I don't understand why people want to bring kids into bars. There are lots of really cool places to eat at WDW over a boring bar for kids.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't understand why people want to bring kids into bars. There are lots of really cool places to eat at WDW over a boring bar for kids.

I don't understand why you would think a bar is boring.

Growing up we loved going to the occasional "lounge" type place. We would go to Carmel and eat at the Hog's Breath Inn (when it belonged to Clint Eastwood) and felt supremely grown up having our Rob Roys and Shirley Temples. Now that wasn't AT the bar but we loved it. I also remember hearing my them uncle play piano at a lounge at a hotel near the Grand Canyon. Those 70s squishy round chairs are blazes in my brain.



Our state has funky blue laws and some places allow kids until x o'clock while others don't allow them at all, and no matter what if there's an actual bar no minors are allowed up there.

So in FL my son is always nervous about it. So we wouldn't sit AT the bar (at Disneyland kids can't be at the bar like in WA and that adds to his nervousness) for his sake. But I like that we could. To me it normalizes it, takes the mystery away.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I agree--a bar is no place for a kid.

Having seen them at bars at Flying Fish, California Grill, even Raglan Road.

At some of our local bars the yelling and language of the 20 somethings (who make up the crowd at certain places) helps keep the families with kids away.

But the bars at WDW restaurants are pretty benign that way, so little chance of the little ones hearing foul language.

 

[Hikergirl]

Here kids can't sit AT the bar but they can be in the bar area of restaurants. We've eaten in that area when the wait for a table in the dining room is too long. Even if it was legal I don't think I'd sit my kids up at the bar and eat there. Not because I think there is anything morally wrong with it, I just would feel weird taking a spot from someone who wants to sit there and have some drinks.

 

[Hikergirl]

I agree--a bar is no place for a kid.

Having seen them at bars at Flying Fish, California Grill, even Raglan Road.

At some of our local bars the yelling and language of the 20 somethings (who make up the crowd at certain places) helps keep the families with kids away.

But the bars at WDW restaurants are pretty benign that way, so little chance of the little ones hearing foul language.

LOL, then you can say that about a school bus too.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I don't doubt it at all --

 

[tobikaye]

I think the law here in Ohio is that it is that it is okay for a minor to sit at a bar count as long as they are not drinking alcohol. (I want to think this is the same in Florida, but I am not 100%.) This does not mean that the establishment has to allow it. Now, most establishments that are fully recognized as a "bar", "lounge", or "club" generally have a 21+ only rule.

I really do not have a problem with well behaved kids sitting at a bar in a restaurant since it is totally different than most "bars" I have been. In fact, I find many restaurant bars to barely have any separation between the areas.

The only real issues I have with anyone sitting at a restaurant bar is when it is busy and a group of 5 will be sitting at the bar waiting for a table and only 1 orders a drink. Then those that actual want to sit at the bar for a drink have no options.

 

[Jestocost]

That's just an individual bar policy I suppose. Trader Sams isn't really a "restaurant" is it???

The family at Narcoossee's came in around 8:30 as I recall and stayed for just about an hour until 9:30 or so....

The title of the thread didn't limit the subject to "restaurants," so I was merely adding that there are clear exceptions to blanket statement.

 

[HM2012Butler]

Some bartenders don't like kids at the bar because that means less alcohol being served and less tips.

 

[donnsuz]

We were at Tambu Lounge yesterday afternoon. A group of with a very "precocious" child came up and the child, about 6 years old, climbed up on the bar stool and helped himself to a hand full of cherries out of the bar garnishes. One of the adults in the group told him that he couldn't sit at the bar. The bartender said that it was allowed but told them that he couldn't touch the bar fruit/garnishes. The child and one adult sat, there were only two available bar stools, and the two other adults stood behind. The child once again got into the bar garnishes, pulled out a handful of straws and umbrellas and had a good old time. None of his adults said a word. The bartender came back and again said that the child could sit at the bar but couldn't touch the garnishes. The adults said nothing. They ordered food and drink, but the child - who I'm guessing did not hear the word no very often - became bored and wanted to leave. One of the adults left with him and the others stayed and dined. My point is that well behaved children, particularly in the afternoon, are ok by me at any time. Badly behaved children, or adults, are never okay.

 

[gmboy95]

I guess it may depend on hwere you grew up....it was nothing as a kid to go to a place that was basically a bar to have pizza or pub food for dinner....good lord, we used to go as a little league team to a place that was basically a bar for pizza....I dont bat an eyelash at kids in those places. the only thing i would say, is that kids probably shouldn't take up seats at the actual bar itself, as that takes money out of the bartenders hands

 

[21stamps]

Indiana has an over 21 rule for bars and I love it! I do wish at times they would lower it to 18 so my college aged kids could eat with us, but still I love being able to go out at times and know we will be toddler free for an evening. Before you bash me, I love kids, I am a grandma, but it seems there is no place toddler free anymore, even R rated movies have parents bringing kids in. There are times we enjoy a kids free evening.

I don't understand why people want to bring kids into bars. There are lots of really cool places to eat at WDW over a boring bar for kids.

I am the only adult who travels with my child. I took him to Trader Sam's early before the restriction time, and he enjoyed it. At other places outside of WDW if a restaurant is crowded we will sit at the bar and order a couple of appetizers and a cocktail for me and some sort of non alcoholic fun drink for him. He enjoys that as well, and it's nice for me to have said cocktail in a more lounge type area. The bartender's tip definitely doesn't suffer from it, and usually they are great with him.

 

[gmboy95]

Rule # 1 for me at Disney......expect kids, period!....I think what makes Disney hilarious to me is these fine dining places that would be so buttoned down back home, are often overrun with kids....its hilarious!

 

[21stamps]

Rule # 1 for me at Disney......expect kids, period!....I think what makes Disney hilarious to me is these fine dining places that would be so buttoned down back home, are often overrun with kids....its hilarious!

I do think it depends on the kid- and most parents know their child well enough to know how they will act in a nice restaurant.

 

[Hikergirl]

I guess it may depend on hwere you grew up....it was nothing as a kid to go to a place that was basically a bar to have pizza or pub food for dinner....good lord, we used to go as a little league team to a place that was basically a bar for pizza....I dont bat an eyelash at kids in those places. the only thing i would say, is that kids probably shouldn't take up seats at the actual bar itself, as that takes money out of the bartenders hands

I used to help my dad behind the bar when I was little. Times have definitely changed LOL

 

[si-am]

I don't mind kids in the bar area, but I really dislike when they are sitting at the bar. I can't tell you how many times we've gone to the bar at 50s Prime Time looking for a place for a relaxing drink, only to find the bar stools taken up by kids who are, obviously, not drinking. Meanwhile, we have to stand with our drinks.