Restaurant Bans Kids under 6

erbur78

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-insider/Restaurant-bans-kids-under-6.html

I'm curious what folks think. I don't have kids, and I tend to frequent establishments that serve adult beverages. I have seen both sides of this: TJs Everyday in Paoli specifically states that no one under 21 (I think it's 21... it might be 18) is permitted to dine in the bar area (even at high-top tables). However, they are welcome in the TJs dining room. 

Elsewhere...places like SPTR, Memphis, Sly Fox, Iron Hill locations---you can see kids enjoying their meals in the bar area with their parents.

What is your thought on this?  Have you ever gotten side-eyed looks just for bringing your kid into a place?

eaglesfan700

I think it's awesome, but we rarely, if ever, bring our kids to restaurants.  It's just not fun or enjoyable for anyone.  They could sit through a meal, but we would need to bring a whole dog and pony show in my handbag to keep them entertained.  It's work for me and mr. eagles

I would much rather get a sitter and have a nice evening out with mr, eagles. 

Now, a thing like mom and me hh at MTR is totally different

lachute

i'm side eyeing that place looks like a shithole to me. 

we take milo now, but if he was to get loud one of us would take him outside. it has never happened though. when he can run around? more likely to leave him at home. i also think it's different because SPTR and POPE are local spots for us, we are known by name etc. 

Shannon1110

I thought this comment was a little rude:

"I think it's the height of being impolite and selfish and so, therefore, I instituted a policy."

I was so hesitant to take the kid to a restaurant because I didn't want to have him scream and disturb other people.  When we did take him I was so careful to keep him entertained so he wouldn't cry.  There are some irresponsible parents that let their kids run around and scream and truly don't care but on the whole I think the parents of the kid that's acting out are more uncomfortable and upset than any other person in the room.

The restaurant has every right to have an age requirement though.  

larrysdarling

I think a few stupid a hole parents ruined it for the whole bunch. that said, I am all for it. I don't have a right as a parent to ruin someone else's meal just bc I want to take my special snowflake out to a restaurant. I would find a sitter and goto that place.bat least I know it'll be quiet..

Kernel14

Growing up, every Friday we'd go to this pizza place. 7 out of 10 times this one couple would come in with their two kids. Every time they were there, their kids would run around and weave in and out of tables and be obnoxious while the parents just ignored them and ate. My mom, being a teacher and dealing with 2nd graders all day, always wanted to scream at them. So for people like this, this rule would be great.

Looking back, I'm not sure why management never said anything to them.

I don't think this is a bad thing.

lachute

Bad parenting happens at more then restaurants. It happens at museums all the time but I would never ban kids from museums because of shitty parents. And if children under six were ban from the art museum people would be pissed. Someone on Facebook told me I should only be allowed to take my kids to restaurants that are family friendly. U Yeah because I want to go to Denny's.

laptopprancer

lachute:

Bad parenting happens at more then restaurants. It happens at museums all the time but I would never ban kids from museums because of shitty parents. And if children under six were ban from the art museum people would be pissed. Someone on Facebook told me I should only be allowed to take my kids to restaurants that are family friendly. U Yeah because I want to go to Denny's.

OMFG there was a Spanish (Spaniards are notorious for indulging their children) family with three kids at the Perelman on Saturday and one of them was knocking into a plinth holding a Modigliani sculpture repeatedly.  I almost had an attack watching it all.  The docent was like, yo, DAD and the dad was all like, "haha ha my kids they are so spirited! lol"

I was like this:

The mother was wandering around a room ahead of all of them like she was there alone.

 

annam829

there is nothing worse than kids acting up in public...especially when you leave your own kids home for that reason!  we have come to the point that it isn't enjoyable to try and take them out, so we leave them home.  we do go to diners and other family friendly spots

larrysdarling

lachute:

Bad parenting happens at more then restaurants. It happens at museums all the time but I would never ban kids from museums because of shitty parents. And if children under six were ban from the art museum people would be pissed. Someone on Facebook told me I should only be allowed to take my kids to restaurants that are family friendly. U Yeah because I want to go to Denny's.

Those are two different things though, IMO. Banning kids from a museum is like banning them from a zoo. There's no expectation you're going to get a quiet kid free experience at a museum. My daughter has found her voice. She squeals and screeches. Its cute as hell to me, but it would annoy the crap out of someone sitting next to me trying to eat. Not all restaurants are for kids, even well behaved ones.

Shannon1110

larrysdarling:

lachute:

Bad parenting happens at more then restaurants. It happens at museums all the time but I would never ban kids from museums because of shitty parents. And if children under six were ban from the art museum people would be pissed. Someone on Facebook told me I should only be allowed to take my kids to restaurants that are family friendly. U Yeah because I want to go to Denny's.

Those are two different things though, IMO. Banning kids from a museum is like banning them from a zoo. There's no expectation you're going to get a quiet kid free experience at a museum. My daughter has found her voice. She squeals and screeches. Its cute as hell to me, but it would annoy the crap out of someone sitting next to me trying to eat. Not all restaurants are for kids, even well behaved ones.

Ugh, a few of the ladies here (esp lachute) know all about my little screecher at the museum.  I was mortified because it was so quiet in the galleries and he was screeching like a pterodactyl.  Thankfully the guards all seemed amused by it and it was during the week so it wasn't super crowded but I won't be taking him back for a long while...

lachute

larrysdarling:

lachute:

Bad parenting happens at more then restaurants. It happens at museums all the time but I would never ban kids from museums because of shitty parents. And if children under six were ban from the art museum people would be pissed. Someone on Facebook told me I should only be allowed to take my kids to restaurants that are family friendly. U Yeah because I want to go to Denny's.

Those are two different things though, IMO. Banning kids from a museum is like banning them from a zoo. There's no expectation you're going to get a quiet kid free experience at a museum. My daughter has found her voice. She squeals and screeches. Its cute as hell to me, but it would annoy the crap out of someone sitting next to me trying to eat. Not all restaurants are for kids, even well behaved ones.

A lot of folks do not see museums particularly art museums as child friendly. Ive meet many a people who would prefer children not be allowed. Curators often feel like this and by often I've gone to bat for kids being allowed in certain exhibits etc. I think a museum is a learning experience and honestly I think eating out is a learning experience I hope to get Milo use to as well. Again Milo is still little and quiet. He's not a toddler.