what is the point of some pubs/clubs being over 21's?

Lollipop95

I was out in Dublin last weekend and went to a bar called Capitol. I was with 2 older girls and while they were let in I was not. One of the bouncers told me the lowest entrance age they can allow is 20. Both me and the girls I was with thought this was ridiculous,especially considering the legal drinking age in this country is 18. I know a lot of venues in Dublins are over 21s(some even over 25s I have heard) but it just doesn't seem logical to me. Why isn't the drinking age upped to 21 if so many pubs/clubs in Dublin(and probably other places in the country too) are going to raise the age limit? What is the point of the drinking age being 18 if this happens? Granted,I know majority of places are 18,but most ones in Dublin do seem to be 21 and I just don't see the point. Maybe someone could shed some light as to why this age rule applies to lots of places?

The Backwards Man

Because us oulwans don't like drinking with wains.

Alfred Borden

some people dont want to be in with a younger crowd in my opinion, i know in later years i tend to steer clear of place full of 17/18 year olds and so find it handy when places are over 21s and so.

Caiseoipe19

So that there aren't any 18-20 year olds there...

MOC88

More like so theres no 16/17 year olds in there

Dave0301

Over 18s usually has an age range lower than that. If you are 25, maybe you don't wanna be standing beside a 17 year old at the bar.

Over 21s solves this!

Pai Mei

Maybe it's just a way to ensure there is no under age drinking on premises as someone who is 16/17 wouldn't pass for a 21yo

It wasn't me!

Some places are over thirties as well. It's just to enable a certain clientele to determine their own environment a little more easily. Makes sense too.

chakotha

To discourage underagers - lose your license for that.

wazky

chakotha wrote: »

To discourage underagers - lose your license for that.

Most nightclubs around my area would be 3/4 empty without underagers.

shruikan2553

When people are over 21 they tend to be less "omg, mammy will be raging if i come home drunk lol, yolo, swag". After 21 the whole drinking thing isnt as novel.

ScumLord

Because most under 21's are gobshytes, I'd increase the age to at least 26.

freshpopcorn

It is generally because over 21's have more disposable income than the 18-20's market. So it is more important to target the 21+ market.
When clubs allow 18s+ in, it normally means underage drinkers find it easier to sneak in with fake id's.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

To target an older audience. I hate 18s clubs these days, and I'm not that much older. 18s clubs seem to be full of underage people with fake IDs. Wouldn't be surprised if bouncers are told to be lax when inspecting ID cards.

Gotten to the stage where we wouldn't go to a 18s club unless it was a last resort, that said it's only a problem in summer as I generally go out during the week when in college.

jaffacakesyum

Because I don't want to drink with annoying 18 year olds :pac:

frozenfrozen

A lot of the time if you're not a prick and don't look like an annoying prick bouncers at 21s/23s places just let you in. It's like an appropriate attire rule that magically only applies to certain people

Canis Lupus

Now that I'm an old man of 32 I don't really notice a discernible difference between 18 yr olds and 21 yr olds... Having said that an over 21yr rule tends to mean an older crowd.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Esoteric_

Because when the person you drunkenly kissed admits they're only 16/17, it makes you feel like a kiddy fiddler?

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Wait till you're 21. You'll understand then

PhlegmyMoses

I got thrown out of that pub for trying to recreate the Ray Houghton USA 94 tumble a few too many times on their dance floor. I was 22 at the time, proving that age is not a prerequisite for making sensible decisions. TBF, I blame them for playing "Put 'em under pressure". What's a man to do in that scenario, in fairness?

super_furry

The bouncer didn't want to let you in, that was just a handy excuse.

shedweller

Ah yes, i remember passing The Age and realising i couldnt be arsed going into those places that wouldn't let me in before i reached The Age. Trust me op, you have little to be worrying about. In the next handful of years you wont give a flying feck about said establishment and whether you'll get in or not!

entropi

It is usually at the owner's discretion if they want an age limit higher than age 18. Generally the "don't be a dick" rule comes in to force and you're usually alright when walking up to a doorman on such a watering hole.

Capitol is only a cocktail bar anyway, plenty of pubs and clubs nearby.

Feathers

It wasn't me! wrote: »

It's just to enable a certain clientele to determine their own environment a little more easily. Makes sense too.

So If you'd a clientele of mostly xenophobic regulars, it would be fine to ban black people?

It's funny how it doesn't work the other way with age - I've never seen an "under 35s" nightclub, though I'm sure it'd prove popular. Ageism legislation gets in the way there though...

thecatspjs

Feathers wrote: »

So If you'd a clientele of mostly xenophobic regulars, it would be fine to ban black people?

It's funny how it doesn't work the other way with age - I've never seen an "under 35s" nightclub, though I'm sure it'd prove popular. Ageism legislation gets in the way there though...

Yea, them 36 year olds are always wrecking my buzz.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

DarkJager

Nobody likes a crèche type nightclub full of smart mouthed 18 year olds who can't handle their drink. Long live over 21's clubs IMO.

kaimera

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

it's called the bingo hall.

@OP - under 21 eh?

How you doin'?

Caonima

shruikan2553 wrote: »

When people are over 21 they tend to be less "omg, mammy will be raging if i come home drunk lol, yolo, swag".

:D:D:D:D:D