IMHO pubs are not places for children of any age.I dont think that they should be exposed to alcohol or placed in situations where those around them have been consuming.
I guess some pubs have become child friendly and have facilities to cater for children...but afterall, the primary interest of the premises is to serve alcohol to the adults, who , in my opinion, would be better going without ( booze- in whatever quantity) when there are children about.
Personally, I dislike going out on an evening and finding it full of kids, whether that be little uns racing around or teenagers! If I wanted to spend time with that age group I would go to family orientated place, of which I do with friends who have children.
I think its great that there are some lovely family welcome places to go...I go with friends who have children and its a lovely atmosphere, full of families enjoying themselves. On an evening tho, this place becomes totally adult and that's the way it should be...
When my kids were small, we used to take them to a country pub where there were swings and a donkey in the garden... this wasn't a regular event, it was a treat only.
I would probably have said something to one of the bar staff or left...
I'm amazed by some of the definitions some people have for a public bar. I always thought private or adults only had a different spelling.