Pennsylvania Restaurant Adds New Rule: No Kids Allowed!

By Eyder Peralta

Published July 14, 2011 at 5:37 PM EDT

Imagine the tantrums they'll throw, when they find out they're not welcome. This picture taken, circa 1952 shows little Peter Moore throwing a temper tantrum while on a visit to Bournemouth, Dorset.

Mike Vuick, owner of McDain's Restaurant and Golf Center in Monroeville, Pa., has taken a stand: Starting Saturday, his restaurant will no longer admit children younger than 6.

"I'm doing this on behalf of all the kind, refined people who have emailed me who have had meals ruined," Vuick told The Wall Street Journal. "I've decided someone in our society had to dig their heels in on this issue."

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Vuick notified patrons of the ban via email:

"Beginning July 16, 2011 McDain's Restaurant will no longer admit children under 6 years of age," wrote the restaurant in an email to patrons. "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."

McDain's atmosphere is intentionally adult, said owner Mike Vuick. The restaurant, which includes a bar, is connected to a driving range and has never offered a children's menu.

"This is not a kid-oriented place," Mr. Vuick said. "There are many child-friendly restaurants that are a lot cheaper to go to."

The move is, of course controversial, but according a report from Pittsburgh's WPXI, most of the diners they talked to were OK with the decision. In a letter to the editor, one Post-Gazette reader enthusiastically praised Vuick.

Oren Spiegler wrote:

As anyone who lives in today's world knows, it has become a place in which civility, respect for others, and common courtesy are increasingly rare, a place where the "It's all about me and my family; we can do anything we want" syndrome has taken over...

May Mr. Vuick's action be the start of a trend. My right to dine out in peace must always trump that of the arrogant people who believe they have an inherent "right" to destroy a restaurant for others through the presence of a screaming toddler...

The Journal did talk to one woman who argued not all children have meltdowns "and I don't feel I should have to suffer the repercussions," she said.

The Post-Gazettealso checked with the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania who said "the measure does not violate anti-discrimination legislation."

So what do you think? Our poll closes July 20: