Restaurant owner defends banning under-18s after decision sparked debate

I think we can all agree that going out for dinner is supposed to be a relaxing experience - something which can be made less so if there's a host of screaming kids running circles around your table.

And one restaurant owner seems to have little patience for such chaos, resulting in him prohibiting under 18s from dining in his restaurant in the evenings.

Peter Wu owns trendy-looking eatery Kin Dining and Bar in Marrickville, Sydney.

As per the restaurant's website, it's 'strictly 18+ from 5pm every day'.

Discussing children sometimes making dining out a less enjoyable experience, Wu said: "We have all had experiences being sat beside a screaming toddler, or an impatient child, or just a loud iPad - we don’t want our diners to have those potential disturbances."

Going on to defend his decision, the restaurant owner and chef continued to tell Sunrise host Nat Barr: "This is partly so that we can provide that dining experience for our guests and create that sense of escapism."

Wu added: "I think overall people are quite happy with that stance we have taken."

Kin Dining and Bar offers a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine, with Wu urging diners to eat at more family-friendly places if they're unhappy with his decision.

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"The great thing is that we live in an amazing country where everyone has free choice," Wu said.

"Ultimately, we just want to create that sort of experience for our guests on our nightly basis. That is all it is."

Barr, a mother herself, welcomed Wu's idea.

"I have had kids, mine are grown now, but I am with you," she said.

"Sometimes you just want to go out without them and you don't want to see other people's."

The news presenter has two sons aged 18 and 22.

But some people online were less in favor or Wu's rules.

@kindiningandbar/Instagram

One person fumed: "Yeah, ban everyone and everything that annoys anyone and everything! Jeez, how entitled are we becoming?!

"By the way - my 14 and 17-year-olds would never misbehave at any restaurant!"

Another person went as far as labelling it as 'discrimination'.

In contrast, another social media user said: "As a parent of 2 kids, I'll happily leave my kids at home to go out and eat dinner in peace!"

"It’s a bar and restaurant for fine dining. Plenty of restaurants in Marrickville that you can bring the kids too go there instead," added another.

What are your thoughts?