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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Thrown out of restaurant for bringing newborn baby

687 replies

toddlermom · 10/11/2019 13:39

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!

OP posts:
GrouchoMrx · 10/11/2019 14:26

I think this thread has worked out rather well for Amaya. Smile

MissLadyM · 10/11/2019 14:27

God I can't believe how entitled you are! They couldn't have been more clear that NO children are allowed. Your baby was sleeping but may have woken up screaming and ruined everyone else's evening. You weren't thrown out, you were asked to leave. The staff were probably unfriendly because you argued with them and expected special treatment.

NotACleverName · 10/11/2019 14:27

Don’t talk wet, @BiggestJulie. It’s not discrimination.

Alsohuman · 10/11/2019 14:27

How loud are newborns?

Fucking deafening when they get going.

Pinkblueberry · 10/11/2019 14:27
Halloween Biscuit
BiggestJulie · 10/11/2019 14:27

@heartsonacake , do they have a right to go to old people-free places? All that decrepitude might be upsetting...

People ought to have a right to dine in peace, without being disrupted by other customers. If they are not disturbed, it should be no one’s business if there are children there.

Age discrimination is illegal. I would like to see a test case on this.

As I said above, I would recommend following the examples of the continent where well behaved children and babies are ordinarily welcome at restaurants.

Somerford · 10/11/2019 14:27

Kim, vast world of difference between a rowdy, loud, bashing 2 year old and a snuggled new born??

They have a clear policy about children. Their staff shouldn't have to debate the pros and cons of each individual child to decide whether they apply the policy or not and the rest of us should have some spaces where there aren't going to be any screaming children around.

KatherineJaneway · 10/11/2019 14:27

Kim, vast world of difference between a rowdy, loud, bashing 2 year old and a snuggled new born??

Snuggled new borns never make any noise? Confused

Tellmetruth4 · 10/11/2019 14:28

YABU. Many diners may have booked precisely because children aren’t allowed. Imagine someone going to cheer themselves up after their 3rd failed IVF or their one child free night of the year to see staff cooing over your baby or hear your baby screaming because they’re too hot or hungry? They’d rightly be pretty pissed off.

marriageisafullonmerger · 10/11/2019 14:28

@GenuineQuestions newborns can be pretty loud. Loud enough to disturb people at the next table trying to enjoy a child free meal.

Marriage if ops does, do you think she would attempt any restaurant? there's always a first time, and with ops sense of entitlement who knows?

harriethoyle · 10/11/2019 14:28

Another one who'll make an effort to check it out next time I'm down in London. Your name and shaming attempt hasn't worked out for you, has it?!

Celebelly · 10/11/2019 14:29

Where do I get one of these silent newborns who can be guaranteed to sleep whenever I want them to?

DD was a very easy baby but she was still a baby and made noise from time to time!

BlouseAndSkirt · 10/11/2019 14:29

Well, their policy is clear but they could have been much nicer to you, OP. And offered you a free drink if you returned at a time When babies were welcome. It is quite hard to find the child policy on their website.

I also think they could put a note in their reservation form for weekends e.g “Thank you for your reservation N.B we welcome babies /children at xxx time but we are not able to accommodate them at the time of your booking “ to save upset for customers and aggro for themselves.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 10/11/2019 14:30

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.

First off, what a load of shit. Baby crying is a noise like nails on a blackboard if it isn't your own (and sometimes even when it is).

Second, you have missed the point by such a huge margin you are in a different continent

DioneTheDiabolist · 10/11/2019 14:30

Age discrimination is illegal. I would like to see a test case on this.
No it's not. Licensed premises have to discriminate on age to stay within the law and keep their license to sell alcohol. You're talking utter rubbish BiggestJulie.Hmm

JacksonPillock · 10/11/2019 14:31

I never knew restaurants had no-children policies. I'm obviously not eating at the posh places enough.

Frenchw1fe · 10/11/2019 14:31

Pretty loud!

StrawberryGoo · 10/11/2019 14:31

Age discrimination is illegal. I would like to see a test case on this

This is ridiculous. And age discrimination can be justified under s13(2) equality act.

If the policy were unlawful, it would also be age discrimination against a screaming colicky baby and a lovely 3 year old.

MissRabbitNeedsAHoliday · 10/11/2019 14:32

Sorry op you are being unreasonable. Its clearly stated and as a regular I'm sure you knew that. People saying newborns arent noisey etc, where is the cut off then? If I have a quiet 3 year old is that the same thing?
Congratulations on your new born though!

Pinkblueberry · 10/11/2019 14:32

Age discrimination is illegal. I would like to see a test case on this.

Wow you better tell all the 18+ pubs, strip clubs and bookies. I don’t think they’re aware...

Nicknacky · 10/11/2019 14:32

Why should they be offered a free drink for falling to abide by the restaurants policy? The restaurant might have also lost out on that table (I’m assuming it’s usually well booked in advance if it is a Michelin started restaurant)

Actionhasmagic · 10/11/2019 14:33

Yabu for leaving the thread as soon as people saying yabu

tillytrotter1 · 10/11/2019 14:33

Why do you expect special treatment? Your baby is only wonderful to you, to the rest of the diners it's a potentially smelly, noisy disturbance to their evening. Get off your high horse.

Longblondeandblueeyes · 10/11/2019 14:34

Nah, I wouldn't want to eat at a table next to a baby really. My own kids are adults and I don't really like other people's children.

Mummyoflittledragon · 10/11/2019 14:34

Julie
You can dress it up any which way. It’s still perfectly legal. If they let the newborn in, the parents of the 3 mo would then complain. Then the 6 mo and before you know it there would be 2 yos running round, lots of screaming etc etc.