The owner of a pizza parlor in Tampa, Florida received criticism after he banned children from his restaurant for being too rowdy.

Manager at the Hampton Station beer and food joint, Troy Taylor, made the controversial decision last week when he plopped a straight-forward sign up on the front door which read: 'NO CHILDREN.'

Local parents spoke out shortly after the notice was placed outside, expressing both distaste and approval for Taylor's new child-free environment.

In one lengthy post shared to the Tampa Bay Moms Group on Facebook, one member said: 'Some parents are upset that a place near family neighborhoods, a place they say they've been before with their family to eat, is no longer admitting minors.'

The owner of the Hampton Station Beer Garden, Troy Taylor, posted a sign to the front door last week which read: 'NO CHILDREN'

Local parents spoke out shortly after the notice was placed outside, expressing both distaste and approval for Taylor's new child-free environment

She added: 'If this place was once a family dining place it seems to now be catering to a more mature crowd. While it seems some may say this isn't fair or is some sort of discrimination or are simply upset about the change to the demographic they are looking to bring in.

'I'm thinking I'd like to have a date night or moms night out here... Am I the odd mom out?' she inquired.

While the decision received negative reactions from some, other mothers who are members of the Facebook group expressed their understanding.

One woman even blasted those who were offended by the decision, saying: 'Clearly they have changed their business model and want everyone to know they are officially a BAR! Don't take your kids to a bar - are you drinking and then getting in the car with them?!?!'

In one post shared to the Tampa Bay Moms Group on Facebook, one member said: 'Some parents are upset' by the decision

Despite the pizza parlor also operating as a watering hole, another social media user argued the ban could be considered as 'some type of discrimination.'

She said: 'If a business had a sign stating they did not allow people of a certain age, sex, or ethnicity to enter their establishment it would be splashed all over the news, heavily fined, and probably shut down.'

The bar's owner, Taylor, has since spoken out on his difficult decision this week in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times.

He said the ban came after several incidents happened that involved disruptive children who were not made under the control by parents.

The bar's owner said the decision came after several incidents took place inside the joint that likely could have led to a lawsuit

Taylor said: 'A kid was in danger and could have seriously been hurt ... It's a liability and safety issue. After the incident, I thought, this can't happen again'

Taylor, who opened the parlor just two years ago, said he was 'sure he would have been sued had the worst happened.'

He said of one event: 'A kid was in danger and could have seriously been hurt... It's a liability and safety issue. After the incident, I thought, this can't happen again.'

The owner revealed he's mostly steered clear of social media - adding the children ban at the bar was 'one of the toughest things' he's ever done.

According to the newspaper, the federal law says businesses have the right to determine whether or not an environment is suitable for minors.

'Businesses are allowed to call their shots when it comes to kids,' the report said.

'The law forbids discrimination regarding race, religion and other categories, but there’s not the same broad protection for children.'