A popular suburban bar is pushing back after a customer gave them a one-star rating due to children on their patio during a live performance, sparking a heated social media debate.
FitzGerald’s Night Club in Berwyn posted a screenshot of a recent review from Sunday, where a customer gave them one star, citing “loud kids” on the patio they said were “out of control and rudely distract from the show.”
“I come to listen to the music and watch performers, not for kiddies,” the review read. “I usually leave early because of this but management encourages kids. It has become a playground, and they even allow dogs. Shame that the atmosphere is unpredictable. Only bar where kids are present.”
In its response, FitzGerald’s said it would agree to disagree.
“You’ve been ‘warned,'” the bar wrote on social media.
They encouraged those who want adults only to attend their 21-plus shows instead.
“Let’s just call it a difference of opinion here; because the thought of your kids and grandkids (and ours) having the freedom to move around, play, and discover live music in the same space you can enjoy your food & beverage sounds like heaven to us,” the message read.
Their response generated a flood of comments from people in support of their policies.
“Music brings people together and it works its magic for families as well,” one user commented.
“Thank you for this response. I will confess that I was there a few weeks ago and my granddaughter was one of those children running around. I can tell you she had a wonderful time, dancing and singing and it created a core memory for her and inspired her own musical talent. I’m so grateful for this venue,” another wrote.
Some commenters suggested a compromise.
“I get both sides of the point. Sometimes adults (non parents or parents) want a kid free space. And parents with kids want to enjoy their time out together. Perhaps there could be a ‘family area’?” one user wrote.
The bar followed up Monday thanking its customers for the support.
“In all seriousness on the topic of kids on the patio at fitzgeralds; it will forever be a goal of ours to create positive memories and connections between live music and joy. If you have a ‘place’, you have a lot in this world. Kids are going to need that, and we’re going to need them to need fitzgeralds one day,” they wrote.
