Apparently kids are allowed in bars here. This IS NOT the case in Seattle, where there is separate seating for minors. This IS the case in most of the country however. I would marvel over this fact in many states to the future and people would look at me like "well of COURSE kids are allowed in bars, where else would they go?" Hmmm. Life is easier for an alcoholic 6 year old in Montana.

The reason for this, I learned, is because so many towns are so small that they can't afford to support both a bar AND a family establishment, so people bring their kids to the bar. I chewed over this while eating a chicken sandwich and watching two prepubescents shoot pool in a smoky bar.

Reminded me of the scene in Airplane! where two girl scouts beat each other bloody in a GI bar.