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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
NoCommentingFromNowOn · 28/09/2025 11:52

And a no phone calls policy please.

GarlicBreadStan · 28/09/2025 11:52

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

2 year olds scream. They're toddlers. They push buttons.

Are the parents trying to stop them from screaming by entertaining them? This may change my perspective slightly.

Amiterriblex3 · 28/09/2025 11:53

GarlicBreadStan · 28/09/2025 11:52

2 year olds scream. They're toddlers. They push buttons.

Are the parents trying to stop them from screaming by entertaining them? This may change my perspective slightly.

I know they scream which is why I want a coffee shop with a no children policy.

OP posts:
ThisUsernameIsNowTaken · 28/09/2025 11:54

What about people who talk really loudly, chew with their mouth open, cackle constantly?

SalamiSammich · 28/09/2025 11:55

Open one if you think it would be financially viable.

GarlicBreadStan · 28/09/2025 11:55

Amiterriblex3 · 28/09/2025 11:53

I know they scream which is why I want a coffee shop with a no children policy.

But you'd be "embarrassed" if your 2 year old screamed like that. Despite knowing that they scream?

Also, you didn't answer my question. Is the parent doing anything, like entertaining their child, to attempt to get them to stop screaming?

SalamiSammich · 28/09/2025 11:55

Amiterriblex3 · 28/09/2025 11:53

I know they scream which is why I want a coffee shop with a no children policy.

Would you also bar people woth disabilities who make loud involuntary noises?

Needlenardlenoo · 28/09/2025 11:55

The "quiet coffee shop".

It could catch on.

Even parents don't want to hear other people's children!

Itstheshowgirl · 28/09/2025 11:57

Open one then OP, there you go, problem solved.

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?

Needlenardlenoo · 28/09/2025 11:58

SalamiSammich · 28/09/2025 11:55

Would you also bar people woth disabilities who make loud involuntary noises?

I think there are many, many fewer people in that position than toddlers. And maybe they too are communicating "argh, the screaming"?

I would also ban any phone calls and business activity that makes a noise (Teams calls).

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 28/09/2025 11:58

The hospitality sector is struggling at the moment. I don't think excluding customers is the best business model.

Needlenardlenoo · 28/09/2025 11:58

It's a gap in the market for sure.

Society is getting louder and louder.

NavyNorris · 28/09/2025 11:58

Ooh yes. I love the idea of having a "quiet zone" cafe. No children, mobiles, general noisiness.

I love children and crying doesn't bother me but sometimes peace and quiet is just bliss. I think this would be a good business idea, I'm sure lots of people would like a quiet café.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/09/2025 11:59

SalamiSammich · 28/09/2025 11:55

Open one if you think it would be financially viable.

Also this - I think a no children coffee shop may struggle to make money during the day (unless you put it somewhere like the City of London)

dontcomeatme · 28/09/2025 12:02

I think you're all talking about a library. OP open a library and quiet cafe fusion place. It will be like in the movies, every time someone makes a noise everyone can automatically and simultaneously say SHHHHHHH and look really judgemental as they do.

Enigma54 · 28/09/2025 12:02

There you go OP, a nice little project for you: a child free coffee shop! What shall we say, 0-3s are not permitted? What about teens, people in large mobility scooters who take a load of space, people who talk/ laugh loudly?

LoveSandbanks · 28/09/2025 12:03

I brought up two boys with autism. On the first day back to school after the holidays I would take myself to Costa for a peaceful cup of coffee. Only to be surrounded by other people’s toddlers!

We all realise that a no children coffee shop is probably not viable but imagining it is fabulous. I’d expand it to all conversations must be in sign language so that I could really get the peace I craved 🤣

I eventually joined a health club that had an adults only lounge.

INeedAnotherName · 28/09/2025 12:03

I don't think a child-free cafe would be viable but I certainly would like it if cafe owners, pub managers etc started kicking out noisy customers or kids running around. Ask them nicely once to be quieter then boot them out if they won't. Same with cinemas, theatres etc.

NaranjaDreams · 28/09/2025 12:05

We had one. It used to be a normal cafe but changed to be a “quiet space”, no children, no animals, no phone calls. They changed all their marketing to be about how peaceful it was.

It lasted four months and then changed back. Then three months after that, it closed entirely, probably because people with children, dogs etc didn’t feel overly welcome back, or had made plans to go elsewhere.

I have two children, thankfully none have ever been hugely noisy and I’d remove them if they were being so, but the cafes in town have definitely benefited from their existence. They’ve made a killing from us on maternity leave, and after, meeting other mums, going out for lunch, etc. it’s a big financial hole that isn’t easily filled by the type of people who want to sit with a hot drink and a book or whatever - the spend per customer is much lower even if they opt for cake too.

Ours even tried a “one drink, one hour” type policy but that left everyone a bit uncomfortable, the staff don’t want to be hounding people to reorder, regardless of how nicely they dress it up.

The owner is lovely and has been really transparent but it’s not an easy business model.

INeedAnotherName · 28/09/2025 12:07

dontcomeatme · 28/09/2025 12:02

I think you're all talking about a library. OP open a library and quiet cafe fusion place. It will be like in the movies, every time someone makes a noise everyone can automatically and simultaneously say SHHHHHHH and look really judgemental as they do.

You have obviously not been in a library in years as they are now a fecking noisy place to be. Noise is positively encouraged at times. I know why (footfall = staying open) but it's certainly not a quiet relaxing space anymore 😟

Abra1t · 28/09/2025 12:09

dontcomeatme · 28/09/2025 12:02

I think you're all talking about a library. OP open a library and quiet cafe fusion place. It will be like in the movies, every time someone makes a noise everyone can automatically and simultaneously say SHHHHHHH and look really judgemental as they do.

Libraries are noisy places these days.

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.

Callipygion · 28/09/2025 12:11

People with laptops hogging tables annoys me. I was on holiday last week and tried to get lunch in 3 cafes one day and couldn’t get a table. Most didn’t even look like they were eating they just had empty coffee cups on the tables.

OutsideLookingOut · 28/09/2025 12:12

dontcomeatme · 28/09/2025 12:02

I think you're all talking about a library. OP open a library and quiet cafe fusion place. It will be like in the movies, every time someone makes a noise everyone can automatically and simultaneously say SHHHHHHH and look really judgemental as they do.

I mean most libraries are not even quiet these days. Most are there to serve their community so often have toddler events. You might be thinking about a reading room.