iStockphoto / MaximFesenko
There is apparently a growing trend of bars across the U.S. banning Gen Z from entering, to create an atmosphere more comfortable for the 30-35 and up crowd.
For the most part, everyone over the age of 30 who has been to these bars that are banning Gen Z seems to view these policies favorably. But overall, people seem split on whether this trend is good or not. Naturally, the people unable to get into the bars because they are 21 years old but under 30 or 35 are the loudest vocal opponents of these polices.
A recent article featured on CNN titled “Some bars and eateries are banning 20-somethings. Can it become a widespread practice?” threw a spotlight on this trend. For the article, author Harmeet Kaur pulled a lot of quotes about establishments that are banning people under 30 or 35, most of the quotes coming from Facebook pages where people express pro/anti stances on the practices.
The article points out The Auction House on New York’s Upper East at 89th and 2nd. Owner Johnny B. Barounis instituted a policy of banning 25 and younger on the weekends, and he instituted that policy all the way back in 1993.
Barounis said “those kids that had their flannel shirts tied around their waists, wearing their Villanova hats backwards, walking around in the street with their Amstel Light in their hand. I didn’t need a 21-year-old to come in with two of his friends, to make a ruckus and then get sick in the bathroom.”
I’m gonna be honest, I lived within a few blocks of that bar for years and had no idea it existed. So his policy 100% worked at keeping me, my roommates, and friends out because we didn’t even know it was in the neighborhood.
Another establishment the article points out is about a thousand miles away in St. Louis, an upscale Caribbean restaurant/bar named Bliss that bans 30 and under for women and 35 and under for guys. The comments on social media about Bliss are mixed.
The owners of Bliss, Marvin and Tina Pate (42 years old), told CNN their rationale behind the 30/35 age limits when opening Bliss were “why not just make a lounge type of feel at a resort but in a restaurant setting? Majority of (places) around the country, if you go to a place that’s 35 and up, it’s actually a lounge with fried food. We thought about the concept of a restaurant that’s daily, where people could … get a luxe environment and just enjoy themselves with actual cooked food.”
The policy quickly gained a lot of attention and on May 26th, Bliss addressed it on Facebook. They wrote:
To ensure a grown and sexy atmosphere, we require all guests to be 30 or older for women and 35 or older for men. This policy helps us maintain a sophisticated environment, uphold our standards, and support the sustainability of our unique ambiance.
Why This Matters:
Atmosphere: Creates a mature and relaxed environment for all guests.
Quality: Allows us to focus on providing exceptional service and a memorable experience.
Sustainability: Ensures our restaurant remains a premier destination for those seeking an upscale Caribbean dining experience.
The top comment says “I love the age requirement please don’t get rid of it.” Agreeing with that sentiment, the second top comment reads “Anybody upset just doesn’t understand what’s happening with these businesses being tore up by younger crowd.”
Others wrote “And stand on business! We need great establishments like this to keep the bs down!” and “I wish more restaurants/lounges had age requirements like this.” and “I love age requirements!!!”
In fact, I scrolled through several pages of comments hitting ‘load more’ on Facebook and didn’t see a single negative comment about the age policy of banning Gen Z. I did find some pretty negative comments about these policies though on X, formerly Twitter, and not from banned Gen Z’ers but from millennials who simply think these policies are lame.
This isn’t necessarily a new trend either. But it is one that has bene picking up steam for years as more elder millennials and Gen X’ers accumulate the capital to open their own establishments. 25 is a common age limit in some Texas bars:
Being banned isn’t fun. The mere act of being banned from a place elevates the want/need to see what’s inside and participate. It’s how the most exclusive clubs, brands, and experiences get away with charging patrons ungodly fortunes. Not being able to get into an exclusive establishment can feel like a personal attack. But the fact of the matter is as long as these privately-owned businesses aren’t discriminating based on race, religion, national origin or disability they can pretty much ban whoever they want.
Why Are Bars Banning Gen Z
And for those who are against the policy of bars banning Gen Z, and there are a LOT of reasons to be against this not least of which it can be pretty lame if executed poorly and it’s anti-capitalism on the surface, it is worth considering why bars are considering banning Gen Z.
Is it a need from millennials and Gen X to have their own ‘safe space’? Possibly. I’m sure there are scenarios where upscale restaurants want to gatekeep their spaces as a haven.
But it seems like the reason most commonly cited by bar/restaurant owners instituting this policy is they don’t want 20 somethings destroying their restaurants/bars. If you’ve ever drank too much at a bar and thrown up, these policies are in reaction to that. If you’ve ever drank too much and broken glasses that would’ve otherwise never been broken, these policies are to prevent that equipment loss at restaurants.
Ultimately, after reading through the report on CNN I’m left with the impression that members-only clubs are poised to explode again. SoHo House just ain’t it anymore. It lost its allure 10+ years ago. But NYC establishments like Zero Bond, Casa Cipriani, and The Ned NoMad are paving a new path through membership where they can vet patrons based on more than age.
I fully anticipate a resurgence of the members only era in cities like NYC, like back in 2010 because let’s be honest, there are millions of Gen Z who won’t go into a bar and mess the place up and there are MILLIONS MORE millennials who can’t handle their liquor. The bar also benefits from charging dues + providing lockers stocked with high-end alcohol…
Is that what Gen Z wants to happen? Absolutely not. Is it something millennials would welcome? I think there would be an extreme divide between the oldest and youngest millennials on how they feel about expensive members only bars.