Can restaurants refuse to serve any person ?
Can restaurants refuse to serve any person ? The answer is yes, it is illegal for a restaurant to refuse their service to anyone as a Restaurant is defined as a ‘Public Place’ and so it is utterly illegal to deny services to any person who approaches a public place.
However, there are exceptions under which a restaurant can refuse its service.
The exceptions under which restaurants can refuse their service:
- Disturbing other guests – If the restaurant thinks that the person may cause a nuisance to others present there, they can refuse to serve him. It would be completely legal for them to do so.
For example, A drunk person can be refused from entering the premises of a restaurant. - Not following rules – If the establishment thinks that you may not follow the rules laid out by them. They can refuse to serve you.
For example, a person wearing sandals in a high-end restaurant or a smoker in a non-smoking restaurant. - Security threat – If the restaurant feels that you may be a security threat to other people present in the restaurant, or may stir up trouble, they can refuse to serve you.
For example, A person who is carrying a gun or knife may cause trouble to other people.
Other than these 3 exceptions, a restaurant cannot refuse to serve anyone. It is explicitly illegal for them to refuse service to anyone on the grounds that they belong to a particular caste, religion, race or gender.
If you want to read this in detail, please do read this article.