Skift Take
To raise a new generation of restaurant-loving customers, entertainingly educational initiatives might be more effective than the banishment of younger patrons.
The juxtaposition of the words "children" and "restaurants" usually goes hand-in-hand with provocatory headlines about businesses banning young customers from a certain hour onwards or willingly failing to provide accommodations such as high chairs, with the owners claiming that business thrives because of these policies.
Maybe it does for some. But the restaurant industry is far from being a child-averse environment — and we’re not talking about places catering to kids specifically. In fact, there are plenty of family-inclusive establishments that do great business for everyone. The key: creating an environment where both families and child-free diners feel comfortable.
Perlot in Portland, OR, which offers global-inspired fare, has a distinct restaurant and lounge area, both comparable in size. Children are allowed in both spaces, with some exceptions. "We do offer live jazz music in the lounge on Fridays and Saturdays, during which children are not allowed in the lounge, but are allowed in the courtyard, which is opened up during good weather," says co-owner Eric Schindele, "[It'] s just as easy to enjoy viewing and hearing the
