Babies In Bars?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/03/02/brooklyn.babies.in.bars/index.html?hpt=C1

In the Park Slope area of Brooklyn, and it's surrounding neighborhoods, there is a recurring debate over whether it is ok to bring babies and children to bars. In this area, which is highly kid-populated, parents want a place to socialize and often can't afford the high cost of babysitters, while others think bars should be an adults-only venue.

"I will get up on the subway for kids. I will be tolerant of them kicking the back of my seat while seeing a G-rated movie. But let me have my bars," said Julianne Smolinski, 26, who feels guilty drinking alcohol in front of 5-year-olds.

Parents argue that as long as they are responsible and their kids behave, they should be able to grab a drink with friends. Finding an affordable caretaker is difficult in New York, and tight living quarters make it hard to have people over. They say they don't want to be excluded from the adult world because they have kids.

Park Slope local, and stay at home dad, Matt Gross says when he gets a little stir crazy in his apartment, he heads to a mellow bar for a beer with his 14-month-old daughter. He doesn't take her to punk dive bars where music is loud, fights break out and patrons make out or pass out. They go to a mellow spot, and he doesn't keep her out past 7pm. "It's responsible parenting and responsible adult behavior. I'm not knocking back double vodkas while my daughter is stumbling around."