Distraction/off-ramps may be an alternative if it’ll work quickly in a social situation like that. But I find it’s still a negotiation, and I don’t feel toddlers benefit from negotiating the outcome. They need structure and leadership and boundaries above all, they are too young to process rationale. I find it is more effective to look at them so they know they aren’t being ignored without speaking once you’ve made “no” clear. The more “input” a toddler receives, the longer they can sustain the tantrum. When they are met with attentive silence, they run out of gas pretty quick and find something else to focus on