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Original poster

Child only area in restaurant- discriminatory?

311 replies

Buyalot · 12/10/2025 14:28

I’ve returned from a carvery lunch with DH and DD (14 months).

On arrival, despite there being a lot of seats spare in every area, we were told we had to be seated in the dedicated children’s area - an
absolute racket with soft play etc.

AIBU to find this ridiculous?

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 12/10/2025 14:35

Ridiculous. Of course it isn't discriminatory.

I'm not personally a fan of adult only spaces/segregating children from normal society, but if you choose to take a child to a restaurant which has separate child-friendly/adult only spaces, then you should expect to be seated in the child-friendly area. That's just common sense.

If you don't like it, choose somewhere else next time.

frenchnoodle · 12/10/2025 14:35

Yes it's discrimination but completely lawful discrimination. They are presumably licensed with a bar, so restricting areas is common and correct.

DarlingHoldMyHand · 12/10/2025 14:34

I don't understand - you have a 14-month old 🫤

If you had a quiet 14-year old who didn't want to be with the younger noisy children I would maybe understand.

Dartmoorcheffy · 12/10/2025 14:34

Fantastic idea

BlueMum16 · 12/10/2025 14:34

This is quiet usual OP.

Have you not been out much so far with your DC? Why wouldn't you want to sit with the other kids where they can see /behave more relaxed without having to worry about diners without children resenting you?

ilovesooty · 12/10/2025 14:33

Sounds like an excellent idea to me.

TheTortiePuffinNeedsHerBreakfast · 12/10/2025 14:31

Sounds like they are trying to find a balance to keep as many of their diners as possible happy. Personally I think it's fine to allocate an area to groups eating with young children, with facilities that appeal to many of them.

FreyjaOfTheNorth · 12/10/2025 14:31

What an excellent idea. Which restaurant is this? Sounds perfect.

FKAT · 12/10/2025 14:30

Not discriminatory at all. It's a licensed premises I presume which can legally discriminate on age in multiple ways.

zipadeedodah · 12/10/2025 14:30

Actually I think thats a really good idea.

murasaki · 12/10/2025 14:29

You had a child with you so no. Hopefully everyone else without them could enjoy their meal further away from the soft play.

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