An upscale pizzeria in Harlem has a kid-free dining policy and some parents are highly upset. John Kandel, owner of Bad Horse Pizza, cancelled a reservation for 12 when he realized it would be largely comprised of children. ”They basically said that they don’t want a lot of kids or parties in their restaurant,” says disgruntled customer April Patrick-Rabiu. “When I asked them how many was too many they wouldn’t be specific, but just said that their customers didn’t like it, kids are noisy and bothersome and that it was a definite ‘no.’”
However, Kandel contends that he is not completely anti-children. He told the Gothamist, ”Having a group with kids at 5 p.m. is fine, I just can’t have it during adult meal time.” Plus, diners seeking out the quiet, candlelit tables, and cloth napkin service aren’t thrilled by the potential antics of a big group of rowdy youngsters. “I felt it was affecting my business,” Kandel said. “I can’t lose customers who spend $30 to $40.”
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I believe that it should be a restaurateur’s right and prerogative to have an age requirement for his/her establishment. Whenever one opens a restaurant, they conceptualize the ambiance and overall vibe of the place. If that doesn’t include children, then so be it. There are plenty of restaurants that happily serve families and accommodate children. Sometimes, you just want to go out and have a kid-free experience. Having worked in fine dining where they did allow children, I can tell you it can be a nightmare for diners and staff alike. The noise level, the random spills, the running around, the frequent shuffling of chairs to allow for bathroom trips and lap time — all of these things take away from a pleasurable experience. I cannot tell you how many times I had parties ask to be moved away from kids. However, if a restaurant does have a no-children policy, then it needs to be clearly stated in some way.
Unfortunately, those policies are in fact against the city’s human rights laws. People could file a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights. At the end of the day, it is up to parents to practice discretion when selecting where to dine with their children. There are certain places that they know are not kid-friendly. Respect the restaurant and your fellow patrons by not bringing the kids to those places.