Restaurant bans ‘small screaming children’

A Canadian restaurant has received messages of “hate and threats” after it made a decision to ban “small screaming children” from its premises.

The owner of The Lobster Pound and Moore in Nova Scotia announced its decision via its Facebook page on Sunday.

“Effective as of now, we will no longer allow small screaming children”, it said. “We are an adult-themed restaurant that cater to those who enjoy food and are out to enjoy themselves. We understand this may upset some, but after careful consideration, we feel it’s best for those enjoy, appreciate and understand our business.”

The post was quickly deleted after the restaurant became the target of an angry backlash by users who felt it was discriminating against parents.

Hannah McKay, a mother of two told CBC News: “If it [the restaurant] doesn’t want my kids there why would they want me?”

The restaurant has since apologised for its choice of words, insisting that it “loves kids”, and revoked its ban saying that it would welcome “any belly that is hungry”.

In a lengthy post the owner of the restaurant wrote: “I shouldn’t have used the word screaming but should have said something like ” Lil diners having a moment”, added: “I never considered the hate and threats it would bring against not only me but those I love and for that I’m truly sorry”.

Many Facebook users have since offered their support to the restaurant, agreeing that a restaurant was no place for misbehaving children.

Responding to its apology post one user wrote: “You have zero reason to apologize. I have 5 kids and there are times where I want to go to a restaurant with no kids there. Nothing worse than having to deal with someone else’s screaming or misbehaving kid while trying enjoy a good meal. I wish there were more places like this.”

Another said that an adults only restaurant sounded like an “amazing idea”.

“Parents who need a break…. adults who just don’t want their evening ruined… people who just want to have a perfect first date, or anniversary dinner, with no screeching or tantrums… I would love to have a place in my neck of the woods that I could be certain to have a great dining experience at, every time.”