Is it legal for a restaurant to not allow children who are under 8 years old?

achrimsdale

It's their business thay can decide who they admit.

I would guess the reason is for the benefit of other customers.

I am sure your children are well behaved, many aren't and parents allow them to run about, shout out etc. this annoys other people.

.

powder

As long as the restaurant make this policy absolutely clear then they are entitled to do it.

richard_beckham2001

The policy is set out by the company, they have rights to refuse to serve who ever they please. There is a few restaurants with the same policy where i live.

silly gorbie

as with any high street shop or business.....they are not offering to sell ...you are offering to buy....this being so, they can refuse your offer.

amanda c

Yes it is legal thank God! Not everybody wants to hear screaming children when eat in a restaurant.

ChocLover

It's up to them - as long as they inform you of it and there's not much you can do about it.

Nickynackynoo

Yes that are entitled to do it.Unfortunately, due to some parents letting their kids run wild and spoiling other people's meals, many places have brought in this ruling.

I'm sure you will find a nice family restaurant to go to. I live in Greece and refusing children would be an abomination here!!!

Hope you have a nice day wherever you go.

rosbif

Yes it is legal.They can refuse access to anybody they wish

RIGGS

fr-aid so,one of our local restaurants have banned kids,due to lack of parental control? letting kids run about,round other diners,and generally running amok? they in turn have spoilt it for the rest of us,and i too am a parent. and we liked to go and dine as a family,but that's the way the mop flops,it only takes one to spoil it for everyone?

dsclimb1

their place, their call.

I have a baby myself, but if i went out for a meal, i would want a break from crying whilst eating. So i can see their point.

but then again, i could exact revenge for the noise i received prior to being a Dad !!!

benaberry_77

If they are a licenced restaurant it may be a condition on their premises license that young children are not permitted. The local authority that issues the license may enforce any reasonable conditions if they feel will promote the licensing objectives. These objectives are; the protection of children from harm, , the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the prevention of public nuisance.
Having said all that, the managers of the restaurant do have the right to refuse to serve.

Northern Lad

They can refuse to serve anyone.

jimbob

I think it must be up to the individual restaurant, as my daughter and husband went for a meal for fathers day and their 15month old son went with them. But i agree with Amanda and others that there is nothing worse than kids running about and screaming whilst having a meal.

Stuart A B

The question of whether or not it is legal to disallow access for children under 8 into an restaurant would depend on the laws prevailing in the county or state you are in. You are asking a very broad question.

In the UK it would not be illegal to exclude youngsters as a matter of "house policy" - although I have never come accross such an exclusion. It would be very short-sighted to do so and would alienate a fair chunk of your potential customer base.

fatsausage

YES - it is legal and a good idea.
If a Restaurant wants up scale clients - they need to ban the
unruly kids.

Final Frontier

No, a business has the right to refuse service to anyone.

answerchef

It is legal, but under specific rules.
The restaurant must have this rule clearly stated and posted.
They must at least have a sign stating something like 'we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, for any reason' - and, depending on the state, this needs to be posted outside the establishment or within the entryway.

David S

Yes, they are entitled to refuse service to anyone. It is not your right to receive service it is something they offer to you.

The exception is when that refusal violates the specific liberty of an individual, but good luck fighting that issue on behalf of someone who is 8. She'll be 20 by the time you get to the Supreme Court with it.

Dakota Lynn Takes Gun

Yes, it is legal, as they can have any policy they want to. I can understand if it is a casino type of restaurant that has smokers and alcohol served, like the ones we have here in Montana, but just a regular restaurant and they say not until age 8 years is just ridiculous. I doubt they will be in business for very long.

greatwhitenorth28 AM

It is perfectly legal to run a restaurant that doesn't allow babies and toddlers.
Even though you may be transfixed by every squeal and bowel-movement your child makes, most people would rather not have to share this with you.
It's hard enough to enjoy a day out at the zoo or ball-game or beach because of all the screaming, crying little mis-behaving brats that parents have to drag around with them everywhere. With their strollers or wagons taking up so much space.
If I want to enjoy myself at a fine restaurant, I shouldn't have to listen to children crying while I eat. If you want to eat a meal in public with your child, take it to McDonalds.

shelagh.medic@talk21.com

They can refuse anyone the wish. I wouldn't give my money to a restaurant with that policy. When I ran my own business, a pub restaurant, I loved having the kids in. They were all well behaved, I kept toys to keep them amused. We didn't have a separate play area the children stayed at the table with their parents and enjoyed the meal. We had no complaints from other diners so I don't see what the problem is.
Find somewhere that's child friendly and don't even attempt to eat there again, they don't deserve your money.

netjr

I'm glad they have such a policy. It is rude for someone to bring an near infant child with them to a nice restaurant. Shame on you.

Jorden K

Yes, in fact it's legal for the government to restrict the
number of your offspring. You'd be surprised.

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