Thrown out of restaurant for bringing newborn baby

[toddlermom]

Hi all,

Just need to vent and wondering if I should complain and if so who to. We went to one of my (ex) favourite London restaurants (Amaya) last night (wearing 5 week old baby in cloth sling, as I often do).

Walked in, got to our table, I took off my jacket and went to sit down but the waitress stopped me and said I couldn't sit down and had to leave the restaurant as she could now see (that I had taken off jacket) that I had a baby and 'children aren't allowed in the restaurant". I said it was a baby - who was asleep - and unlikely to wakeup - and she said it didn't matter, they don't let any children in the restaurant.

The manager came over, said the same thing, they were really, really rude and unfriendly. Didn't say sorry or sympathise, empathise in any way.

They don't have any social media presence so I can't even tweet them and vent on social. I could write a letter to the owner? Or is there anything else I should do? Or AIBU and just not go there again? Any advice welcome!! Thank you!

This surely can’t be for real, can it?

I wonder if the OP is going to come back?

@ BiggestJulie why on earth should it be illegal ? Is it not up to a restaurant to decide these things ?
As for parents removing disruptive children , how many times have you been in a pub/ restaurant and parents smile indulgently while their DC cause chaos ? We have a nice restaurant near us where children have to leave by 19.30 and I have so often seen parents arguing with staff when asked to leave at that time. Apparently this rule doesn’t apply to them.
Can’t believe the OP thinks she can complain- cringe.

They state “no children”, you went in with a child, they asked you to leave and you thing they are being unfair? 🤔

I think the title of your post is misleading- you weren't 'thrown out'

A restaurant that doesn't accept children as a policy, doesn't accept yours and you think you have reason to complain Wow.
If I'd gone to a childless restaurant and you'd been allowed to stay with baby, I'd have complained.
I've had 3 dc myself and as wrapped up in them as I was, I understood that everyone wasn't to put themselves out for me.
What an entitled attitude, but not surprising these days.

YABU!! There is nothing to complain about, you were in the wrong

I'm sorry that happened to you OP with your 5 week old it must have been very upsetting. Whatever the policy was there was no need to be rude and with a new baby I would find that upsetting too. People can be so insensitive to new mums they seem to forget there is so much going on under the surface.

This is too funny, but I like the sound of a child free restaurant.

CHILDREN’S POLICY

Lunch:
Monday to Friday:Children above the age of 4 are allowed;
Saturday and Sunday – Children of all ages welcome.

Dinner:
Monday - Sunday:Children aged 6 to 10 are welcomeare welcome for reservations at 6pm & 6.30pm only and must vacate by 8.30pm.

We regret that we are unable to accommodate prams and push chairs in any of our restaurants.

In the interest of other diners, if children are noisy or running around, we will have to stop service and ask the family to leave.

Entitled and yabu

Would love to hear the staff’s version

Would love to hear the staff’s version

Me too.

You weren't thrown out and I'd be willing to bet they weren't rude either.
Your post is cringey in its 'the rules don't apply to me ' entitledness.

Very confusing child policy.

Yes a new born is a child, infant but both of mine slept for hours on end without a whimper.

If it was my restaurant I would have in a kind diplomatic way, congratulated you on the baby, pointed out the policy and put you in quiet corner, asking you to take baby outside if noise...

I would love a child free coffee shop. Where children are defined as those under 25. Bliss.

They clearly don't allow them. Unsure why you thought your baby would be an exception? I don't spend that much on dinner to be subjected to a screaming baby - who knows if baby will wake? It's an adult environment. There are plenty of more baby friendly establishments!

Thankfully a restaurant that realises some us want a childfree/baby free meal.

As a side note - I think you've inadvertently given them some excellent publicity here! Sorry you can't go to your favourite but hopefully when you can leave baby it will be a treat.

BiggestJulie Well, I disagree with everyne here. I think such a policy ought to be illegal.

children should be welcomed at all restaurants.

Why? What is so wrong with having a child free restaurant? Why should children be included in absolutely, everything, everywhere, at any time?

OP you want to get together with that poster on the birthday meal/6 week baby thread.

She was convinced not allowing babies into places was actual discrimination

No seriously, just take the unanimous opinion of AIBU and accept defeat gracefully

Yabu and very silly. I assume this post was to name and shame but it’s not gone your way. In fact if I was near I would consider going there so great advertising. I also doubt your version of events at them being rude. Always on the lookout for adult only venues. We have kids and when it’s just me and dh I much prefer going somewhere without kids being there.

It’s poor form to try and ruin someone’s business in this way.

Praise the lord a restaurant for adults with sensible rules ........if the food's any good I'll be heading there the next time I'm in London.

*Very confusing child policy.

Yes a new born is a child, infant but both of mine slept for hours on end without a whimper.

If it was my restaurant I would have in a kind diplomatic way, congratulated you on the baby, pointed out the policy and put you in quiet corner, asking you to take baby outside if noise*

Eh?

What's more confusing: "no children", or "No children unless they make an unspecified amount of noise and are young enough to receive congratulations for"?

5 weeks baby's don't make much fuss usually, they usually have that gorgeous little cry like a little goat not the loud shrill howl of older children.

If it was my place I'd have let you stay op. I doubt anyone else would have noticed.