Key Points
- The Kenton pub in Homerton, Hackney, has implemented a complete ban on children under 18 at all times, making it an adults-only venue.
- Previously more family-friendly when it served hot food, the pub changed after converting its kitchen into a karaoke booth in 2022, shifting its culture.
- Initial policy allowed children until 17:00 (5pm), introduced in November with signage and online notices, but extended to a full ban due to persistent issues.
- Staff reported incidents of unsupervised children running around, bumping into people, falling over, jumping off furniture, climbing, screaming, and nearly colliding with waiting staff, especially in the beer garden.
- Landlord Egil Johansen, who has run the pub for 17 years, attributes problems to “entitled parents” lacking supervision in a crowded public space.
- General manager Morgan Ryan highlighted children “running ragged around the corners, bumping into people, falling over, jumping off furniture”.
- Pub’s Instagram statement: “We want to be clear that this isn’t about children themselves, it’s about the level of supervision needed in what can be a very crowded, busy space. Ultimately, we’re not able to take on responsibility of other people’s children. Despite clear signage and reminders from staff, the problem has persisted. As a small, drinks-led pub, our focus is on serving good pints and maintaining a relaxed atmosphere for everyone. This wasn’t a decision we took lightly, but it’s the most practical way for us to run the pub safely and support our staff.”
- In November, pub posted on Instagram: “lately, a few have mistaken The Kenton for a creche”.
- Egil Johansen told Sky News: “entitled parents now have a lack of understanding that when you are in a public space, like in a pub, you need to look after your children.”
- Johansen to Evening Standard: “It’s a big decision to make and it’s not something we have done easily, but we have come to the conclusion that we have to run a pub that is safe, consistent, manageable for our staff and pleasant for our customers.”
- He expects boosted footfall from regulars avoiding weekends previously, response “overwhelmingly positive”, sympathy for rule-following parents.
- Recent incident: six or seven sugar-high children from a party running, screaming, banging furniture, no parental intervention; some parents confrontational.
- Debate sparked online, surprising staff; much regular feedback positive.
- Pub at 38 Kenton Road, E9 7AB, nearest Homerton station.
Homerton, Hackney (East London Times) March 31, 2026 – The Kenton pub has enforced a strict child-free policy after repeated incidents of unsupervised youngsters disrupting the venue, prompting a fierce online debate among locals and parents.
Landlord Egil Johansen, who has managed the Homerton establishment for 17 years, extended an initial 5pm curfew on children to a full ban, citing safety concerns in the busy, drinks-led space. General manager Morgan Ryan detailed how children were “running ragged around the corners, bumping into people, falling over, jumping off furniture, particularly out in the beer garden.” The decision, announced via Instagram, emphasises that the issue stems from inadequate parental supervision rather than the children themselves.
Why Did The Kenton Ban Children?
The transformation began in 2022 when the pub’s kitchen, once used for hot food that attracted families, was repurposed into a karaoke booth, altering the venue’s family-friendly vibe.
As reported by Sam Barker of Secret London, prior to the full ban, The Kenton introduced a rule barring children after 5pm, but behaviour did not improve, with kids
“running around the space, climbing on furniture, and nearly colliding with staff”.
Egil Johansen explained to the Evening Standard that scenes of children “running around the pub, very nearly colliding with waiting staff, screaming and climbing on furniture had become increasingly common”.
In November last year, the pub posted on Instagram warning that
“lately, a few have mistaken The Kenton for a creche”, placing the 5pm rule under review. Additional signage appeared across the venue and booking system to enforce this, yet problems persisted, leading to the over-18s policy at all times. Johansen stated:
“Kids will be kids, but it’s all down to the parents and those who did come in and supervise their children unfortunately can’t come now so that’s obviously a shame”.
What Incidents Led to the Child-Free Policy?
Staff accounts paint a picture of chaos. Morgan Ryan of The Kenton, as covered by BBC News, noted:
“You’d have incidents where children would just be running ragged around the corners, bumping into people, falling over, jumping off furniture, particularly out in the beer garden.”
Egil Johansen recounted to the Evening Standard a recent episode where
“a group of six or seven children had returned from a party ‘high on sugar’ and were running around the pub, with some screaming and banging on furniture, while no parent intervened”.
Parents sometimes grew confrontational when staff intervened, even in front of their children, according to Johansen. Sky News reported Johansen’s view that “entitled parents” display a “lack of understanding that when you are in a public space, like in a pub, you need to look after your children.” The pub’s official Instagram post elaborated:
“Despite clear signage and reminders from staff, the problem has persisted.”
How Has the Pub Justified Its Adults-Only Rule?
The Kenton clarified in its social media announcement, as quoted by Secret London and Evening Standard: “We want to be clear that this isn’t about children themselves, it’s about the level of supervision needed in what can be a very crowded, busy space. Ultimately, we’re not able to take on responsibility of other people’s children.” It added:
“As a small, drinks-led pub, our focus is on serving good pints and maintaining a relaxed atmosphere for everyone. This wasn’t a decision we took lightly, but it’s the most practical way for us to run the pub safely and support our staff.”
Egil Johansen told Sky News:
“The sad end of the story is that we have now decided to become an 18+ only pub.”
To the Evening Standard, he affirmed:
“It’s a big decision to make and it’s not something we have done easily, but we have come to the conclusion that we have to run a pub that is safe, consistent, manageable for our staff and pleasant for our customers.”
He anticipates higher footfall, with regulars returning on weekends they previously skipped.
What Is the Public Reaction to the Ban?
Regulars have largely welcomed the change, with staff surprised by the online furore’s scale, according to BBC News. GB News highlighted Johansen fuming that
“‘A few have mistaken The Kenton for a crèche'”.
Community response has been “overwhelmingly positive”, per Johansen in the Evening Standard, though he sympathises with compliant parents.
Social media buzz includes BBC London asking:
“How do you feel about children being banned at your local pub?”
Netmums discussed it as potentially “a new trend brewing”. Yahoo UK’s coverage noted the ban blaming “entitled parents and safety concerns”. Sam Barker of Secret London pondered if other pubs might follow, given many already limit under-18s after certain hours.
Is This a Growing Trend in Pubs?
The Kenton is not alone; numerous pubs restrict children post-evening hours as alcohol-serving venues. Sam Barker of Secret London observed:
“The Kenton is far from the first pub to minimise the presence of children in the venue… a pub is still ultimately a venue that serves alcoholic drinks, and isn’t always entirely suitable for children.”
In Hackney, families have alternatives, reducing impact.
Yahoo Lifestyle opined pubs are “right to ban bratty children”, praising Johansen. GB News framed it as hitting out at “entitled parents”. The debate echoes broader tensions between family outings and adult relaxation spaces.
Who Runs The Kenton and What Is Its Background?
Egil Johansen has overseen The Kenton at 38 Kenton Road, E9 7AB, for 17 years, near Homerton station. Once family-oriented with hot meals, it pivoted post-2022 karaoke conversion. Morgan Ryan serves as general manager. Described as a “beloved community boozer” and “upmarket boozer”, it prioritises pints in a relaxed setting.
What Alternatives Exist for Families in Hackney?
Johansen noted families have “plenty of other options in Hackney” for child-friendly visits. Secret London assured: “Naturally, the Kenton is far from the only pub in Hackney. So it’s not as if the parents will struggle to find somewhere else to take their children.” The policy targets safety without blanket anti-child sentiment.
