Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a coffee shop with a no children policy

391 replies

Amiterriblex3 · 28/09/2025 11:51

In a coffee shop and have to listen to a bunch of 2 year old screaming, absolutely screaming at the top of his lungs. Their mothers might be immune to such noise but I am not. I would be embarrassed if my child screamed like that

OP posts:
Bitzee · 28/09/2025 12:37

Depending on where you live I don’t think you have to try too hard to seek out places that aren’t that likely to have little kids- museum cafes, cafes in antique shops surrounded by breakables, those take the coffee very seriously type places, attached to a gym, in an office heavy rather than residential area... Also IDK if you even like cats but cat cafes often exclude under 5s.

But still WTF at a 2YO screaming like that. If mine had done that they’d be going straight home.

B0D · 28/09/2025 12:37

Many years ago I was turned away from a tea room with a baby in buggy. At the time I was put out but they were packed out so not losing any business.

caringcarer · 28/09/2025 12:35

I must admit I love having a coffee after going to private gym. No under 16's and bliss.

LlynTegid · 28/09/2025 12:35

80smonster · 28/09/2025 12:34

Please can it be Gail’s.

Please can it not be Gail's. I have never set foot in one and am proud to say so.

Lifestooshort71 · 28/09/2025 12:35

applesblowinginthewind · 28/09/2025 12:11

Perhaps a pub that also serves coffee? I doubt most parents would take their children to a pub in the morning.

I took my GS to Spoons for a fry-up one morning - does that count? Oh, and he didn't scream, beautifully behaved.

thereneverwasacloudyday · 28/09/2025 12:35

I think YABU re a no children policy. But I do think it's beyond reasonable to expect parents to take children who are screaming out. Immediately.

LlynTegid · 28/09/2025 12:35

Abra1t · 28/09/2025 12:09

Libraries are noisy places these days.

Show quote history

What you have one in your locality?

RandomNewIdentity · 28/09/2025 12:35

Maybe a pub? During day, they're often quite empty, and often serve coffee. I used to do this when I was first in London in the late 90s and coffee shops were less common

TheCurious0range · 28/09/2025 12:34

dreamiesformolly · 28/09/2025 12:32

Sounds perfect! I wish we had one of those near me!

Show quote history

It's a lovely place and is an employer for adults with learning disabilities, downs syndrome etc, really cosy bookshelves with books you can borrow while you're there. It's my favourite place

80smonster · 28/09/2025 12:34

Please can it be Gail’s.

InterestPiqued · 28/09/2025 12:33

I’d definitely choose a child-free coffee shop, or pub, if there was one. I’d also ban devices unless used with speakers. I had to have a word with a moron chap last week who was having a pint alone in a pub and watching TikToks out loud.

Portugal1987 · 28/09/2025 12:32

Just find a small, pokey enough place, and with loads of steps, no high chairs, and no room for prams and done.

I have a toddler and I totally get it, it is annoying. I find my own toddler annoying for doing it. But I need my coffee and need to leave the house because of that exact reason! And it is embarrassing, but you literally can’t do anything about it.

But I avoid tiny, pokey places without high chairs, and they seem to be quiet and chilled.

scaldedballs · 28/09/2025 12:32

I think “The Quiet Cafe” is a bloody marvellous idea. No children, dogs, phones or screens, just peace, quiet, lovely coffee and delicious cakes 🥰

whatcanthematterbe81 · 28/09/2025 12:32

PegDope · 28/09/2025 12:31

Doesn’t it sound blissful?!

I know you’re being sarcastic but I couldn’t care less. I simply don’t enjoy children. Or dogs.

Show quote history

😂

dreamiesformolly · 28/09/2025 12:32

TheCurious0range · 28/09/2025 12:31

There's a coffee shop near me that does an off grid quiet session for 2 hours on a Monday, ostensibly to cater for sensory needs but I love it. Coffee, no phones, no children, no laptops, just people sitting quietly sometimes reading books drinking coffee

Sounds perfect! I wish we had one of those near me!

PegDope · 28/09/2025 12:31

whatcanthematterbe81 · 28/09/2025 12:24

Aww nice

Show quote history

Doesn’t it sound blissful?!

I know you’re being sarcastic but I couldn’t care less. I simply don’t enjoy children. Or dogs.

TheCurious0range · 28/09/2025 12:31

There's a coffee shop near me that does an off grid quiet session for 2 hours on a Monday, ostensibly to cater for sensory needs but I love it. Coffee, no phones, no children, no laptops, just people sitting quietly sometimes reading books drinking coffee

Cherryicecreamx · 28/09/2025 12:28

I like the idea of a quiet reading cafe. Away from technology. Not only am I fed up seeing everyone glued to their phones, but people can be taking phone calls & meetings etc which will be nice to have a space away from it all. Loud calls can feel just as disruptive.
I'm thinking treat it like a library where children are allowed but it's known we all have to keep the noise down and to leave otherwise. Generally you should anyway but a place like this it's highlighted.. can even have signs on the wall 🤣

Muchtoomuchtodo · 28/09/2025 12:27

I’d love a kid free, phone free, dog free cafe!

I realise I’m in the minority so I stay at home and revel in the peace when my new neighbours with their screamy toddler go out!

WeeGeeBored · 28/09/2025 12:27

Maybe the kids in your area generally behave like this? But where I live I have never had a problem with kids in any of the coffee shops I frequent. So I do not vote for child free cafes.

TotallyUnapologeticOmnivore · 28/09/2025 12:25

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/09/2025 11:57

I mean if we go down this road we could all ban things we don’t like eg loud telephone conversations, loud in person conversations , people sitting on laptops, business meetings, etc

Or is this one of those posts trying to make out children are some how equivalent to dogs? Having read a post wanting dog free cafes?

I'd pay over the odds to sit in a child-free and dog-free cafe. It's not really much to ask. Just a few small, quiet, civilised spaces where brief respite from an increasingly noisy world can be had for the price of a coffee.

89DaysToLoseIt · 28/09/2025 12:25

YANBU.

For some reason people with children see this type of question as an insult to them. The truth of it is I just don’t want to be around kids 24/7. I’d also pay more for child free flights.

Bearbookagainandagain · 28/09/2025 12:25

I wish there were more coffee spaces for parents with children, so we don't have to take our 2yo in a crowded space with tiny tables and overpriced latte... All it needs is a small enclosed areas with some books and toys in a corner.

YABU for the judgemental "I would be embarrassed...", 2yo is a horrible age, parents do what they can.

dreamiesformolly · 28/09/2025 12:25

WildFlowerBees · 28/09/2025 12:19

I get it toddlers scream, kids shout and yes it’s annoying. I too would like a child free space and a phone on silent only place.

Those of us that don’t want to always accommodate children are seen as the worst of humanity. Reality is we’re tired of being subjected to other people’s parenting or lack of.

I’m sure most of us that like child free spaces would be happy to be around them if they weren’t disrupting everyone else.

If your kid is running about, making a nuisance of themselves, parent them don’t expect everyone else to tolerate it because they’re just children.

Absolutely this.

whatcanthematterbe81 · 28/09/2025 12:24

PegDope · 28/09/2025 12:18

I’d pay the OP €10 for an americano if there was a no children policy.

I’d pay premium prices anywhere to be child free.

Show quote history

Aww nice

Swipe left for the next trending thread