At McDain’s Restaurant, in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, kids don’t eat free. And since July 16, they haven’t been able to eat at all. Mike Vuick, owner of the Pittsburgh-area restaurant recently announced a ban on children under 6 at his dining establishment.
After receiving noise complaints from customers about crying kids at neighboring tables, Vuick decided to institute the policy.
In an email to customers, Vuick explained: “We feel that McDain’s is not a place for young children. Their volume can’t be controlled and many, many times, they have disturbed other customers.”
The owner of the “upscale, casual and quiet” restaurant explains, he’s got nothing against kids in general, but their endless screams at public dinner tables are “the height of being impolite and selfish.”
Last year, North Carolina’s Olde Salty restaurant made a similar decision. Owner Brenda Armes posted a sign that read “Screaming children will not be tolerated”, making it clear to parents when their kids scream, they’ll be asked to take it outside. Armes said the move has boosted business, and Vuick is confident his ban will benefit McDain’s as well.
But not everyone is on board. Some Monroeville locals are offended that they’re being singled out for having young kids, and pointing fingers at noisy adults.
“If they’re so concerned about noise, what do they plan to do about the loud people at the bar?” asks one local resident.
It’s not illegal to ban kids from eating establishments, but some parents consider the move discriminatory, and potentially a violation of rights for certain special needs kids.
Do you feel banning young children from a restaurant is discrimination?
As a parent, are you outraged or would you still dine there without your children?
As a person without children, do you applaud the restaurant owner’s bold move?
