When Marvin Pate and his wife launched Bliss, a Caribbean restaurant near St. Louis, their vision was clear: to create an upscale, luxurious dining experience. The menu features jollof rice and tropical cocktails, and patrons can enjoy hookahs. However, what sets Bliss apart is its unique age restriction: only women aged 30 and above and men aged 35 and above are allowed entry.
Since its opening in May, Bliss has stood by this unusual policy, which the owners argue is essential for maintaining a “grown and sexy” atmosphere. “This policy is in place to ensure a mature, sophisticated, and safe dining environment for everyone,” the restaurant stated in a Facebook post. While the age restriction has sparked a polarized response among customers, Pate and his team are steadfast, insisting it helps prevent a rowdy younger crowd from disrupting the ambiance. “It’s just something for the older people to come do and have a happy hour, come get some good food and not have to worry about some of the young folks who bring some of that drama,” explained assistant manager Erica Rhodes to KSDK News.
Bliss promotes its happy hours as a refined experience: “This is strictly for the grown and sexy, so we’re keeping it classy – ladies 30 and up, fellas 35 and up,” reads a Facebook post.
DJ Jordan Johnson, known as DJ Durrty Burrd, who spins records on Wednesday nights, notes that the policies attract crowds who enjoy older-school acts like Usher, Tevin Campbell, and Bobby Brown. “There’s not a problem with a younger crowd,” he said. “But this provides an environment for us so we can be around like-minded people and people who have the same energy.”
Many patrons appreciate the age restrictions. “Some people wanna celebrate or kick it to a different vibe sometimes,” one patron posted on Facebook. “Bliss gives you that. I think this is what the city needs.” He also had a message for the younger generation: “WE’RE TIRED OF YALL TEARING EVERYTHING UP!!!!!”
However, some individuals are critical of the rules, suggesting that management should focus on curbing unruly behavior rather than imposing age restrictions. “Age does not guarantee behavior, as there are individuals above the age of 30-35 who may still engage in disruptive behavior,” one critic wrote. “It’s crucial to address the issue of behavior rather than solely focusing on age restrictions.”
Concerns have also been raised about whether the age policy might hurt Bliss’s bottom line, especially in a challenging economic climate for restaurants. Yet, others seem to enjoy the concept. “If u can’t eat broccoli without cheese u ain’t old enough to get in Bliss,” joked one commenter.
Pate remains unfazed by the criticism. “Of course, we have been getting a little backlash, but that’s okay because we’re sticking to our code,” he told KSDK News. Johnson echoed this sentiment: “We are standing on this age restriction. It’s a brand and vibe we are trying to protect,” he affirmed.
Legally, restaurants can impose age limits since age is not a protected class in this context. Controversies typically arise when restaurants ban children, such as Nettie’s House of Spaghetti in New Jersey, which prohibited kids under 10 last year due to noise and mess concerns.
While it’s rare for such rules to target adults, there are exceptions. In San Antonio, Horizons & More markets itself as a destination for those 30 and older, and in New York, The Auction House enforces a 25-and-up policy on weekends.
Last year, two TikTok users recounted being turned away from Melody’s Bar & Grill in Los Angeles for not meeting the 30-plus requirement. One supportive response suggested, “I know it hurts right now, but when you are 30 you’ll understand.”