Restaurants banning kids

[kingozzy]

I say let them if parents cant control there kids in public they should stay home until they learn how to keep them under control

[moonangel]

I hate it when im at the theater and a baby cries all through the movie and its not a kid movie im a grandparent but there are places and times when children should not be there.  in my town I know a family that actually take their children into a bars just so the parents can drink

[kapeh12]

It probably depends on the restaurant.  As others have indicated, if these are more upscale restaurants or mid-level restaurants trying to attract a more adult crowd, then I can see why such rules are being implemented.

It could be that the restaurant is losing revenue due to potential customers choosing not to go to their restaurant because of the potential of having their quiet/romantic dinners interrupted by children's commotion.

Imagine you went to a semi-upscale restaurant to propose and next to you is a table full of kids screaming and throwing tantrums.  Would pretty much kill "the moment".  They would probably want to choose a restaurant where there was more of a guarantee the moment would remain intact.

Or imagine you are an older couple looking for some quiet - noisy kids would pretty much grate on their nerves and they would not return.

I've seen interviews with some local restaurant who have made those similar changes and they indicated their revenues went up as a result - because they now are attracting more customers seeking that type of guarantee (a nice, quiet meal with their friends/family).

There are plenty of other options for families to choose from, and I'm guessing most families would not be going to the restaurants implementing these policies anyway.

Now if McDonald's implemented such a policy...well, they'd go bankrupt pretty quickly...

[dkanofsky]

I think it is an excellent idea.

[bhiett]

There are enough restaurants advertised as Family Restaurants to give the customer a clue that children will be involved.  Restaurants catering to the adults who really want a quiet atmosphere should have the right to set age limits.  Then each consumer can choose based on his and his party's needs and preferences.  Restrictions should be clearly stated in the restaurant's promotions.

[bremer51]

Many people dine out at a nice restaurant to relax and enjoy themselves....screaming children can ruin that kind of atmosphere. But most parents seem to make sure their children behave and there are restaurants that cater specifically to families.  I have a friend that refuses to be seated by any children.

[sfreeman8]

I think it's a good idea. People go out to eat to enjoy themselves. If they're young parents and on date night, I'm sure they don't want to go to a restaurant to hear kids crying, yelling, or running around out of control. It would remind them too much of what they deal with every day. 

As another poster said, the liability is on the restaurant if a kid gets hurt. Doesn't matter if the parents can't control the kids...the restaurant is still liable. The only way the restaurant could avert such a disaster would be to ask the family to leave (which would embarrass the family) or not allow kids during dinner hours between 5-9 p.m.

[linderlizzie]

It's kind of the same thing to compare dogs to children in this particular context. Now hear me out, please. 

If I go out to eat expecting to have a nice, quite dinner, then I would resent loud, noisy children. I would not resent all children present at the restaurant in general.

As a matter of fact, I usually enjoy the antics of children, even in a public place. 

I love dogs, but when I take a walk I don't want every dog I pass by, while on the sidewalk minding my own business, barking and snarling at me.
That makes me angry with the situation, not the dogs in general. 

In both cases, the child/dog is not at fault. It's their irresponsible parents/owners.      

[countrygirl12]

I have seen several articles lately about restaurants banning children under a certain age, or after a certain time of day. What are your thoughts on this?

I don't have a problem with it.  If people would make their kids mind and control them there wouldn't be a need for this.
I don't eat in places like this anyways.  But I use to work in a steak house when I was a teenager and there was a kid screaming over and over and over.  I made a random comment to a person at the buffet bar 'I wish somebody would shut that kid up'.  Didn't know it was the father.   lol.   You may think your kid screaming is cute and throwing food is cute but the other people around and the ones who have to clean it up do not think it is cute.  It is annoying.

[sherri89101]

Wow, Very Good IDEA!

[autumnsparklemom]

Having a special needs child - I think it's wrong. We all have to remember we were children once too.

[gaylasue]

I think when you go to a nice restaurant that especially isn't cheap (which I don't get to very often), you should have a pleasant dining experience without screaming, crying kids or cellphones ringing or people talking loudly on them.  There are many kid-friendly restaurants that parents can take them to.  I know that we stopped taking my daughter out to restaurants when she started acting up when she was young and didn't take her back until she learned how to behave herself.  I have seen so many parents act like they don't hear or see their kids misbehaving.  That's when you'd like to whip the parents!

[countrygirl12]

I hate it when im at the theater and a baby cries all through the movie and its not a kid movie im a grandparent but there are places and times when children should not be there.  in my town I know a family that actually take their children into a bars just so the parents can drink

I would probably go ask for a manager and tell them I want my money back.  I will return at another time when I don't have to try to hear the movie over a screaming kid.

[countrygirl12]

Having a special needs child - I think it's wrong. We all have to remember we were children once too.

When I was a child I did NOT act like the brats of today.  Maybe they could just say if you can't make your kid mind then you will be asked to leave.  I don't have an issue with kids in general.  But I do not want to listen to an out of control kid screaming because they don't get their way.  Or because they want chicken nuggets.  I also have worked in restaurants and it irritates me to no end to see a kid throwing food and the parents just laugh about it.  Why not, they aren't the ones who have to clean it up.  I think if I own my own business then I have a right to say who I want to come in.  I don't see what the big deal is.  If it upsets you then why would you want to give them your money if they don't want your kid in there.  Doesn't make sense to try to make them allow you to come in.  Are you really going to spend your money at a place that you are not welcome in?

[tinaryerson]

some kids act very well behaved as some don't.  There shouldn't be a policy for it.  I encounter people who are loud and dumb all the time, but you just have to deal with it sometimes in your life.