I guess I'll add my 2 cents.

As a parent who occasionally takes my son to pubs (he's been to Monk's, Rembrandt's, the Standard Tap, Johnny Brenda's, and the Sidecar), I can confirm that he is most certainly NOT listening to anyone's conversation other than his own in those establishments. Feel free to discuss whatever you will if there are kids around. Parents can chose to leave if they are uncomfortable. That's never happened to us, but I can see where it might. We got sort of close one day at the Sidecar when someone entered who was potentially dangerously drunk, and was actually kicked out immediately.

I would NEVER, not EVER, take my child to a pub at night. Like most other reasonable parents, I am putting him to bed at that time.

Being able to take him to social places with friends where good food is served and I can get one beer has occasionally saved my sanity. Parenting can be a lonely business.

I have taken him to the Sidecar for dinner twice, but at 5pm when basically there are very few people in there. I would think that any local establishment that is empty at 5pm would be grateful for the business. Also think that what is basically a wholesome dinner with friends and family should be welcome in the neighborhood. And we sit at a table, not at the bar. I have never seen him disturb other patrons.

Parents are part of the community of people living around, as are people who don't have children. If you live in Philly, you probably live in a rowhouse, and getting along with people close to you should be one of your priorities. Parents need to be respectful of what their children are doing, certainly! People without kids also need to be tolerant of children. They are your neighbors.

I can tell you the difference between appropriate and inappropriate bar patronage for children from my own experience growing up:

My parents occasionally took me to a pub for lunch. We would all get a hoagie. My parents would have a beer with their hoagie. I would have a shirley temple, which I loved. I learned what restaurant eating was all about. Also learned that alcohol in moderation is fine. My grandfather, when babysitting me, would take me to Eddie's Tavern. Eddie's did not serve food. He would sit me at the table with a coke, and proceed to get drunk at the bar. Inappropriate. So there you have it in my opinion, fully compliant with the law and most urban social mores.