I agree with the OP on one point that it would be nice to have a consistent rule.
Yup that would be good.
Met up with friends all have littlies like us and all reasonably well behaved. One weekday during holidays think it was half term we all met up for a walk and stuff somewhere and cafe closed at the park so someone suggested a pub close by.
First there and as we walked to pub the Landlord came to door and growled no kids here, asked why not he just said they annoying and as 5 other cars came into car park he just said WTF do I need them when others come here.
Just walked back as people getting out and said no kids, as everybody got into cars I just waved goodbye at the fool, something that was quickly taken up by everyone else. My share of bill in other pub was £60 something so it was a £400 lunch for 25 people.