This new restaurant bans anyone under 30: Here's why

A Missouri restaurant owner is standing by his decision to enforce a strict age policy, only allowing people at least 30 years old to enter the establishment.

Women must be at least 30 to patronize Bliss Restaurant, a new Black-owned, upscale Caribbean restaurant located outside of St. Louis in Florissant, according to local outlet KSDK, which spoke with the owner. Men must be at least 35.

Owner Marvin Pate told the outlet he wants customers to feel like they're at a resort. The restaurant's social media posts emphasize that they want to keep the ambiance "grown and sexy."

Despite mixed reactions online, Pate is not planning to change the age restriction. Per the outlet, guests must show their ID at the door after 7 p.m. on the listed days of operation, which are Wednesday through Sunday.

Assistant Manager Erica Rhodes added that Bliss is "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 that bring some of that drama," according to the report.

USA TODAY reached out to Bliss several times for comment.

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Customers champion and call out age restrictions online

The restaurant only has a handful Yelp reviews so far, but so far users have expressed mixed responses to the age requirement.

"Why 35 and 30? This makes no financial sense. I'm 30 and dating a 33 year old, but he can't go. They just lost 2 patrons, not one," one user wrote on June 7.

The backlash was anticipated, but Pate reiterated to KSDK that he's "sticking to our code."

Other customers expressed that the policy added to their experience. In a Facebook post shared by the restaurant, a patron wrote: "Bliss food and atmosphere 10/10. I've been seeing so many issues with age, but [St. Louis] needed this. No fighting, no sagging, jamming."

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected]