Are there any local restaurants banning children?

I have mixed feelings on this. I have found myself plenty annoyed at parents who let their children run wild when I'm eating or having drinks (Cumberland Brews comes to mind strongly on that one!) but I also think it's important for parents to not be discriminated against and for children to learn how to behave in public and be kind to waitstaff.

Several weeks ago I went to Simply Thai, and a toddler actually toddled **INTO THE KITCHEN**!!! (He had been running around more or less unencumbered the whole time we were there.) The parent and grandparent accompanying the child thought it was cute. It was not, and it could have easily resulted in injury to the employees as well as the kid. To the staff's credit, they handled it very well, with smiles and taking the child's hand to walk him back to his table.

As a parent, having kids up and out of their seats is totally unacceptable. We bring quiet toys or books for the table ( no electronics ever) to keep them occupied during wait times. When Sara was little, we spent many times doing as Doug says- getting up and walking her around - outside- if there was a fussy issue. They are also expected to sit in their seats at the dinner table at home- I'm amazed at how many kids are not. I'm proud to say when we took our then 8 year old to Volare to dine last year, both the server and the table next to us made a point of commending our son on great behavior, and he left their beaming and very proud of himself.

We no longer go to the Wick's at Goose Creek ( very close to our house) due to all the misbehaving kids and their parents.
Deb

I unfortunately don't have an opportunity to post here often as I do work full time and have a 20 month old at home, not to mention my husband and I own a restaurant, so sorry for the lack of participation!

That being said I see both sides of the fence with this argument. Would my husband LOVE to make the restaurant completely kid free, heck yes, but I guess I was the one arguing against that as I was afraid it would alienate so many families. We have been ridiculed for not having a changing table or kids menu, etc. but we haven't given in, I mean we are a restaurant with a very large bar so you don't expect children. Do we offer options for kids, yes, but that is because we have so many kids in our immediate family who come in and eat at times. We are lucky enough to have parents who beg to watch our son so we can have dinner, but when we do go to a restaurant with our son we know that we have a limited amount of time before he is ready to get up and run, and then it is time to leave. We are guilty of the electronics, but not a DVD player by any means, he only plays on the I Pad which I was completely opposed to until I realized he has learned to put puzzles together and names of cars and animals and numerous other items, all of which some 2-3 year olds don't even know, so needless to say it hasn't been such a bad thing.

Long story short I do agree wholeheartedly with the banning of children from some restaurants since unfortunately we are in an age that kids are having kids and too many people are having children who shouldn't and don't take care of them. Very sad. Yet on the flip side I hate that it makes those of us who still work full time jobs and take care of our children not be able to patron those places without having a sitter. I personally would rather stay home with our son then go out to eat, much more enjoyable for me, but for those who don't feel that way or don't have family in town to help I would image it may be upsetting, but hey then they can find places that are more family friendly rather than a bar, which is better for the environment of the kid.

Obviously I'm totally torn but leaning toward agreeing with my husband now... He will be so happy if others start to do this and we can jump on the bandwagon!

I am of two minds.

On one hand, both my brother and I were taken out to eat from the time we were old enough to go out. My mother tells me that she used to sit me in the baby carrier on the table at Hoe Kow. We grew up knowing that good behavior was expected. How do kids learn how to behave in a restaurant if they don't eat in restaurants?

On the other hand, I actually had screaming children run under my table at a restaurant while the parents studiously ignored their antics. I also think I must have been at Simply Thai the evening the toddler wandered into the kitchen. It is not the children's fault that they have lazy idiots for parents, but I would be happy to patronize restaurants that banned them.

So, has anyone had the guts to say anything to the parents? or kindly to the child to say " In restaurants we sit in our seats, please go sit in yours"?

I know I haven't- though I have been know to say something to other parents about safety issues- i.e. don't have toddlers in car seats, kid ran behind my car, etc. The only thing I've done with the kid/ restaurant situation is to 1) insist that kid's friends behave if dining with us, at a restaurant or at home and 2) annouunce loudly to my child that I'm proud of what a good job they are doing in the restaurant, and how some children are not using good manners/ don't know how to behave in a restaurant. Hopefully loud enough for the parents to hear...

It's not just at restaurants. I'm a single dad with a 6y.o. and I see kids being ignored lots of places. I take my son to lots of different playgrounds and I'll have other kids come up and start talking to me because their parents are off looking at their phones. It's pretty sad.

Agree with several: kids are kids, but there are a lot of parents I'd like to ban!

We took our kids everywhere, to all levels of restaurants. My wife carried a bag that was close to a briefcase, full of books, coloring stuff, and toys, we ordered rolls immediately, and ate at 5:00 so as not to disturb most customers if the kids were to act up (and when they did - because kids do that - we also ran outside with them for some quiet talking).

We have talked to parents whose kids were running around; we simply commented that, "it's really dangerous for your child to be running where the waiters are carrying trays of hot food, and I wouldn't want them to get hurt." It has never worked.

I'll admit that I do take the Ipad practically everywhere I take Ben to eat. Now granted, we're typically at Marks, Qdobas, Panera, etc. But I have taken him to Havana Rumba and they were more than gracious. I do feel bad because I have to pack his food along with us, and we bring an Ipad. I would never dream of going to someplace like Corbetts and doing this..but at least it's better than a kid running around, right?

I'll admit that I do take the Ipad practically everywhere I take Ben to eat. Now granted, we're typically at Marks, Qdobas, Panera, etc. But I have taken him to Havana Rumba and they were more than gracious. I do feel bad because I have to pack his food along with us, and we bring an Ipad. I would never dream of going to someplace like Corbetts and doing this..but at least it's better than a kid running around, right?

Megan,

I'm sorry- I didn't mean to discount using at iPad at the table for amusement with an app ( volume off)- I think of that like a book/ coloring book. What we don't do- and have seen multiple times- is kids with an iPad or DVD player at the table watching a movie/show. Basically parking them in front of the TV during dinner ( but at a restaurant). In multiple cases, the sound was even on- with no headphones!
Deb

I actually do let him use it with the sound on..but at a low volume that I can almost not hear sitting beside him. Headphones arent an option yet! I know I've received looks ( or maybe just perceive them) from other parents for letting him be on one, but right now he has the attention span of a gnat, so it's all I can do! But then again, I'm the same mom that gets annoyed at peop,es neurotypical kids making noise in the therapy waiting room lol. I'm terrible

I feel like there are plenty of nice restaurants around town where even though kids aren't banned, you aren't going to find a lot of kids there. It should not be a problem to go to one of these restaurants on any given night an have a quiet meal. My kids are a little bit rowdy so I would not take them to one of these restaurants. If yours are perfectly behaved, more power to you for attempting it.

However if you are eating in a chain restaurant or a more casual pizza joint or something like that, I would question why you are in a place like this in the first place if you wanted an intimate or quiet evening. If for example my kid gets out of his seat at Wicks or BW3 to run to the games and someone questioned my parenting I would probably tell them to F off. Because while I don't really allow my kids to get up and run around, at the same time if he wants to go look at the games when he's done eating, I don't really care.

Now if he is crawling under your table at Seviche, feel free to put me in my place. I think you just have to use some common sense and judgement based on the situation.

I know I've received looks ( or maybe just perceive them) from other parents for letting him be on one, but right now he has the attention span of a gnat, so it's all I can do! But then again, I'm the same mom that gets annoyed at peoples neurotypical kids making noise in the therapy waiting room lol. I'm terrible

Megan- I know your son has learning differences - sounds like this is what works for your circumstance.
Deb

So, has anyone had the guts to say anything to the parents? or kindly to the child to say " In restaurants we sit in our seats, please go sit in yours"?

I have. Of course Im also known around town for not having much of a vocal filter (ie I speak my mind) while in public and consequently have fewer friends due to it. So take my advice with a grain of salt.

But we have taken our daughter every where from 60 West Bistro on Saturday night for mother's day dinner this year to the newest hit in Washington DC, Le Diplomat. And she behaves, because we expect it.

Obviously I'm totally torn but leaning toward agreeing with my husband now... He will be so happy if others start to do this and we can jump on the bandwagon!

Well FYI we brought our daughter in to your place on the Saturday evening prior to Mothers Day this year and it was a blast. The staff was extremely courteous and I dont think she fussed a bit if at all. Love your restaurant!

Thanks Doug! I'm so glad they were so courteous! They always do well with my son, but you know they kind of have to! Thanks so much for the support and please keep bringing your daughter back, especially since she sounds so well behaved! Maybe you can give me some pointers!!

I have inquired on this board in the past concerning the "legality" of children sitting at the bar. I'm not sure what the actual law says, but I have witnessed on multiple occasions, kids sitting at the bar with their parents while waiting for a table in the dining room. I have even witnessed infants sitting ON THE BAR while the parents or the bartender did nothing. Martini's at the Summit comes most notably to mind. What is the actual law ? And why is it not enforced ?

[Robin Garr]

And why is it not enforced ?

Because extending a law intended to deter teen-age drinking to hassle a parent for carrying his baby into a bar while waiting for dinner would be ridiculous?