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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be really annoyed that most NYE parties in/around London do not allow toddlers?

233 replies

tashka · 05/12/2017 15:51

I really want a propert NYE party this year and DD is still sleeping during the day so we can put her to bed later in a day and then she'll be able to stay awake until midnight. So I was trying to find some nice place with a NYE party for about £50 per person around SW London which would allow a toddler but could not find any (( all nice places seem to be either too expensive (£100+ per person) or for 18+ only…

I feel so annoyed about it! All I want is to have a good time and celebrate the NYE with my family!

Anyone has any ideas for NYE party near London with toddler? )))

OP posts:
Nightfall1983 · 06/12/2017 18:56

Have only skim-read OP but wanted to say: are you me? I’m in almost the same position, DS (5) And DD (2) enjoy a party and will be fine staying up till 1am ish for one night. The only thing they aren’t so great at is long car journeys and we live 4/5 hrs from our friends (and their house parties). I have been sorely tempted by Legoland but simply can not justify £500. Never heard of Chessington garden centre but will be keeping that one in mind for next year!!

Not what you want but best that I’ve found is the chain restaurant “Miller and carter” who are doing a set menu and welcome children but you have to pay the same price for them, about £60 iirc.

jellyjellabi · 06/12/2017 19:00

I took my 2 year old to a party in one of the main cities in the U.K. on NYE against my better judgement and I can honestly say it was one of the worst decisions I made. My son was bewildered by the noise and a friend who wanted to keep picking him up and dancing with him! He’s not easily fazed but I could tell he was tired and fed up. I was upset and annoyed at so called friends behaviour too so I took him home well before midnight and we cuddled up in bed to see the new year in instead which was loveIy and what I should have done from the beginning. I would say stay at home or go to family/friends if it’s an option, things have to change when you have a little one but it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Hope you have a lovely New Years Eve op whatever you choose to do

Nyx1 · 06/12/2017 19:06

OMD after not doing NYE for a few years, we stupidly booked something that should have been nice....hired babysitters, etc but I like NYE (hate xmas, love NYE).

there were lots of toddlers....argh. I think OP is VU but clearly people enjoy having to interrupt their NYE several time to run after a toddler - they were all over the dancefloor and we gave up pretty early.

If we do a night out like that again, we will actually be checking it's 18+!

BackBoiler · 06/12/2017 19:15

We have been to a local bowling alley where we had our own lane, bar open, music and dancing in bar area and a buffet. It was good although I was pissed off as because I was driving I seemed to be the 'babysitter'.

Best bet is a house party and let them run riot in their pjs then settle all the kids down with a dvd and snacks later on. We normally do this for any occasion and we have drinks in the kitchen.

DarlesChickens61 · 06/12/2017 19:20

Please don't tell me there is now such a thing as NYE parties - which involves toddlers...Xmas Shock

I have spent the last 19 years having our own NYE parties indoors - whilst my babies grew into teenagers. On one occasion I asked dc's friends if they would like to come (They were around 10 at the time). Parents decided to turn up with their dc's - and brought their younger siblings too (ages ranging from 9 months to 3 years). Never again!

Parties and young children don't mix!

Both my teens have their own parties to go to this year - YAY!!!

I'm not happy that for the first time in 19 years I am free to join a NYE party and may be expected to spend it with other peoples bloody kids! Xmas Angry

Booboo66 · 06/12/2017 19:21

Lots of very British responses here 😆. I’d assume a family friendly party would have other families rather than drink and drug fuelled revellers falling around. I find it amusing how shocked some people are about going out for the evening and enjoying it with your child. OP we tend to go to the local brewers fayre that has a soft play attached. Not the classiest of establishments but the kids like it and as a single parent there are other adults around unlike at home!

becotide · 06/12/2017 19:46

British responses because it's a British website and the poster asked a question about a British city.

And no, British people don't like toddlers at late parties, and that's just that. WOuld you go to Iran and demand to walk around in a miniskirt and boob tube? It's not culturally appropriate

whoareyou123 · 06/12/2017 19:58

Booboo66 the OP is after a 'proper' NYE party in a 'nice' place. I don't think a Brewers Fayre fits that that description. Though I agree it is a far better option for kids to spend NYE.

Booboo66 · 06/12/2017 20:08

I wasn’t suggesting she went there m, I was saying what i did 🙄. I’m unable to afford a ‘proper party’ or I’d be looking for one too. It’s not unreasonable to be looking for a proper family friendly party. Are you honestly saying having a toddler at a family friendly party is akin to walking about in Iran with your boobs out Hmm

Nyx1 · 06/12/2017 20:09

Booboo, I thought the OP was talking about a posh restaurant, bar etc.

Confrontayshunme · 06/12/2017 20:21

While I do think you are sort of BU, I have just been to a brilliant spa with my mother-in-law run by Luxury Family Hotels. They had all the adult stuff PLUS lots of child-friendly stuff. There were two dining rooms for those with kids or who wanted to be alone, a creche and loads of activities. Their Christmas weekend was hugely expensive, but a New Years Eve at a place like that might be what you are looking for. Dancing, fun, a night away and breakfast club in the morning while you sleep off the bubbly!

becotide · 06/12/2017 20:22

Oh, hello Mr Strawman, thought I'd run into you here ...

No, I am not saying that taking a toddler to a "family friendly party" is akin to having your boobs out in Iran,

I am saying that taking a toddler to the sort of party OP wants to go to is akin to having your boobs out in Iran

GeeLondon · 06/12/2017 20:33

YABU .

I wouldn't be impressed with toddlers at a NYE event I had paid £50 + to attend, or even if I went to one for free unless it was a small family gathering.

Cheeseislife · 06/12/2017 20:44

£50 a head on NYE isn't likely to get you anywhere nice in London anyway, never mind somewhere reasonable enough to take a child.

Truffkin · 06/12/2017 21:34

Well I’m going against the grain and saying you are absolutely not being unreasonable!

Our kids are able to tolerate late nights for parties as a one off and we looked for a family friendly NYE party. We’ve found a local Ramada hotel doing a family NYE party, but we’re paying for it £75 a head). They do another NYE party for adults only, but the family one is designed specifically for people with kids. I’m really looking forward to it!!

NottinghamNeil · 06/12/2017 22:01

If getting pissed isn’t appropriate at a toddler’s birthday party, why would toddlers be appropriate at the average NYE event?

LemonysSnicket · 06/12/2017 22:02

I wouldn’t want toddlers around a load of drunken adults. Plus licensing laws wouldn’t allow it.

dementedmummy · 06/12/2017 22:44

Hey. First time poster, long term follower here. I'm really surprised at everyone saying the OP is being unreasonable to want to go out and celebrate NYE with a child in tow. OP - find yourself the nearest Crowne Plaza. They do a fantastic double night (certainly the one local to me does) to cater for both those wishing to be childless for the night and those with kids. For the strictly over 18s, they have a fully suited and booted Hogmanay ball - not a child in sight but plenty of booze! For families, they put on an event in their restaurant (totally different floor from ball!) with 4 course meal and kids buffet, magicians and balloon animal people, dj with games for the kids till 10.30pm, disco till 2am and pipe band after midnight. Admittedly if you didn't have kids, the family event would be a hellish nightmare but its the only place ive found which caters for families and it is well marketed as involving children so no one can complain about the presence of children - and before anyone says, I'm always the designated driver so no alcohol passes my lips but its a great way to bring in the ny. My children now call it the Hogmanay hotel! Best of luck finding somewhere OP and happy new year when it comes from a fellow clearly unreasonable person! Smile

Leapfrog44 · 06/12/2017 22:51

Why would you want a toddler at a NYE party anyway? Don't you want to let your hair down a have a drink? You'll be a total bore to others if you're worrying about your child. It's one or the other - partying or parenting.

spiney · 06/12/2017 23:07

We've always pitched in with other families and brought food and drink. Lots of music etc Kids running riot but within confined space and on home/familiar turf and people you know.

What is this 'proper party' that you would buy tickets for and has a bar and is full of people you don't know with a small child in tow? Just can't imagine what you have in mind as the two don't seem to go together at all. Can't picture it.

Saying that the Crowne Plaza thingy from DementedMummy could be it.Have a good one OP.

mummyof3kids · 06/12/2017 23:50

If you can venture West London Dragon King Park Royal do NYE buffet and family party night at really reasonable price (£22 adults, £11 kids I think). I have taken young kids there for number of years and they have had great fun.

TrinitySquirrel · 07/12/2017 00:10

What a bloody weird thread. OP what planet are you from, let alone what borough?

avamiah · 07/12/2017 00:18

My daughter is 8 now but I remember when she was about 2 me and my OH took her with us for dinner on New Years Eve to a lovely restaurant and stayed till after 12 to bring in the New Year and then left before the dancing and disco started.
I think a restaurant is ideal to share NYE with children unless you are staying in a hotel with a kids club and child friendly entertainment .

avamiah · 07/12/2017 00:23

TrinitySquirrel,
Hahaha.