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9 Behaviors That Will Get You Kicked Out of a Restaurant (We Agree With #5)

It goes beyond no shoes, no shirt, no service.

By Amanda Machado , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Oct. 1, 2026

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Maybe you only go out to restaurants on special occasions. Or perhaps you reserve your big nights out for vacation. You might only dine out a few times a year and, when you're sitting at your favorite restaurant, you're used to seeing everyone on their best behavior. But if you start to go out to eat more, the odds are greater that you'll eventually witness bad behavior.

While most people show up to have a good meal rather than cause a ruckus, there are occasionally those people who either have had one too many margaritas or seem to have forgotten the golden rule to be kind to others. And, if the behavior gets bad enough that it's disturbing staff and other patrons, a restaurant can refuse service (but they have to be clear-cut about applying these rules to everyone!).

How bad does it have to get? Here are nine examples of bad behavior that will get you kicked out of a restaurant.

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Being extraordinarily rude to staff

There are occasionally rude customers. It's the reality in any customer-facing business. Servers, hostesses, and cooks usually have to grin and bear it while reminding themselves the customer is always right…even when they're not. But occasionally, the behavior goes far beyond a run-of-the-mill grouchy customer. If someone is disparaging and disrespectful, then a restaurant has the right to kick them out.

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Displaying discriminatory behavior

Some behavior goes far beyond rude and disrespectful. If a customer treats a team member (or another customer!) in a way that is racist, sexist, or otherwise discriminatory towards any group, then a restaurant has the ability to ask that customer to leave. Just like a restaurant can't discriminate against customers, customers can't discriminate against the people within that establishment.

Stealing items from the restaurant

Stealing is illegal. And illegal behavior is going to get you kicked out of a restaurant. Whether it's stealing glassware from the table or decor from the bathroom, as soon as you start taking things that aren't yours, you're putting yourself in a position to be asked to leave, perhaps permanently.

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Having too many drinks

You might know that a bar can cut you off if you've had too many drinks. But a restaurant can also ask you to leave if you're acting drunk and rowdy. As long as there's a general rule in place that says drunk patrons will be removed from the restaurant, then they have every right to kick you out after your fifth margarita.

Causing a scene

As long as a restaurant is not unfairly assuming the worst about someone's behavior due to their race, gender, or sexual orientation, then they are allowed to kick out a patron for any behavior that's seen as disturbing the peace. This could be disorderly conduct. It could be loud yelling. It could be making other patrons uncomfortable with their remarks. If they're causing a scene, they can get kicked out.

Violating the dress code

Restaurants are private establishments, and private establishments have the right to put dress codes into place. That means you can't wear a bathing suit to a white tablecloth steakhouse and expect service. And if you decide to take off your shirt in the middle of a trendy restaurant, they are allowed to send you packing.

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Letting kids cause chaos

Kids will be kids, and they don't always know how to behave perfectly in a restaurant. They might scream or drop their plate, and many diners will offer some grace since they've been in that same position. But there's a point where it crosses the line.

If a diner is letting their children run amok, causing chaos at every table, then the restaurant has the ability to remove the family from their establishment, just as they would a disruptive adult.

Bringing in outside food

Your friend picked a sushi restaurant, but you want pizza. So you bring your pizza to the sushi restaurant to meet up with your friend.

Don't be surprised when that restaurant asks you to leave. Not only does that cut into their profit margins for the evening, but, depending on the location, it's also a health code violation that jeopardizes their business.

Letting your dog tag along

A service dog is always allowed at a restaurant thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act. But other dogs?

That's up to the restaurant's discretion. And, even if they let dogs dine with their owners al fresco, the minute that dog starts barking, the restaurant has every right to ask you two to move along. Just make sure you ask for a doggy bag first.

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Bottom line

Here's the good news. It's not easy to get kicked out of a restaurant. Common sense, kindness, and a dose of decency are all most restaurants ask of patrons. Be nice to your server. Try not to disturb other diners. Don't bring an appetizer from home to save on the check. And keep your clothes on.

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