Pub landlords are banning kids – but is it legal?

Hospitality has had a tough few years with rising costs and tightened consumer spending limiting footfall. In the midst of this pressure, some pubs have taken a controversial step to encourage custom: banning small children.

The move has divided public opinion. Supporters say it helps create a relaxed, more adult-appropriate atmosphere, while critics argue it’s exclusionary, or even “anti-family.” 

For pub owners, it raises a larger question: how do you manage your venue’s vibe without alienating your customer base or inviting legal trouble?

In this article, we’ll explore whether banning children from pubs is legal, ethical, and, perhaps most crucially, good for business.

Why are pubs banning kids—and what are the risks?

Some pubs have gone child-free to create a calmer or more high-end atmosphere, without risking customers’ experience being disrupted by a tantrum on the next table. 

Talking of bad behaviour, The Dam Bar and Grill in St Helens banned children after 7pm after reports of kids digging holes and climbing on furniture in the pub’s beer garden. 

Staff from the venue said, “Following last night’s events where my staff had to change their job role from bar staff to childcare staff, we will now be putting a restriction on children on the premises, and asking them to leave at 7pm,” as reported by the Liverpool Echo. 

Similarly, A Kent pub, The Anglers Rest, introduced a ban on kids under 14. Landlords Mandy Keefe and John Forge called the move an ‘an ode to the glory days of the boozer’. 

Last October, Forge told KentOnline, “Customers have said it’s brilliant because they don’t have to watch exactly what they’re saying.”

For The Anglers Rest, it seems that a ban is less anti-child, and more adults-first. With a lack of adult-only spaces in the UK, drinkers can feel that they need to keep things PG, which can lead to a watered-down atmosphere. 

That said, others have taken to social media, calling the ban ‘archaic’. Pubs considering a child ban should consider the risk of attracting negative attention or bad press. Even if it’s legally allowed, families may feel unwelcome and take to review sites to air their grievances. 

To mitigate the risk of reputational damage, some pubs have opted for a happy medium. You could explore family-free hours, or designated child-friendly zones, to keep everyone happy. 

Is it legal to ban children from pubs?

In short, yes, pubs can legally ban children from their premises or apply age restrictions. This is down to the landlord’s discretion, unless their alcohol license says otherwise. 

Before 1995, children under 14 were not allowed in pubs. The Licensing Act 2003 removed many of the restrictions on children in pubs, and now, it’s up to the landlord. 

Many larger chains already have lighter age restrictions in place, such as requiring children to leave by 6pm. 

The official government guidance states that: “A commercial service provider like a restaurateur or pub landlord is entitled to refuse to serve someone. 

In exercising that right, the service provider must consider the obligations placed on them by legislation outlawing discrimination on grounds of disability or race. However, there is no law that would cover alleged “discrimination” against children.”

While it’s fair enough that parents may feel a sense of exclusion from child-free pubs, anti-discrimination laws only apply to protected characteristics like race or disability, but not age, when it comes to children. Landlords are well within their legal rights to go child-free. 

Should your venue go child-free?

Before enforcing a no-kids policy in your pub, the first step is understanding who your target market is. This will help you to understand the impact on customers. 

Are you attracting families during the day and weekend lunches, or is your main crowd adults looking for a chilled pint? A blanket ban may be welcome at more grown-up venues, while it could alienate your loyal daytime clientele and affect your bottom line. As hospitality navigates a challenging climate, this is the last thing you need.

It’s worth settling on a middle-ground. Child-free evenings, family zones, and clear behaviour policies help set boundaries and remind parents what’s expected. 

Whatever you decide, it’s important to make sure your rules are clearly communicated on your website, menus, and signage to avoid confusion or confrontation. We’d also recommend training staff to deal with sensitive situations tactfully and professionally. 

Ultimately, with hospitality already facing tough economic conditions, it’s best to balance customer experience with commercial sense. Child-free or not, creating a welcoming, well-managed atmosphere that fits your community is the safest bet.