"Children under 21 welcome until 8:00PM".
It's a sign you see often these days, at more and more bars around the Puget Sound (sometimes it's 9:00PM, but the basic idea is the same). It means, while visiting many local pubs, taverns and breweries, you'll often see teenagers, young kids and even babies around as you enjoy your drink(s). What prompted this change, and is it really such a good idea?
I first started seeing these signs pop up in a few pubs/taverns I frequent a little over a year ago. One of the places I know, Big Time Brewery in Seattle's University district, installed a 'railing' around the bar area just to facilitate this rule (children under 21 must remain outside the railing that indicates the 'bar' area at all times - even before 8:00PM). And now, it seems even more places are adopting this rule; the latest one being The Yard Cafe in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood.
