It’s the only way to (publicly) drink in the land of the stars and stripes- in America, it’s believed that the level of maturity required to intoxicate yourself enough to lose all one’s dignity (and streak across your neighbour’s garden naked) is the magic number 21.

Despite the fact that you’re likely to drink in copious amounts (and act accordingly) at both the ages of 18 and 21, there’s no denying the numeric divide between teens and twenty-somethings in bars and nightclubs nationwide.

The question is, does this divide need to translate from mere age brackets to a red velvet rope, or more dramatically ,black steel bars? Should under 21′s be restricted from entry into bars and nightclubs on the hunt for a (supposedly) more mature venue feel?

This debate of ages has been around for, well, ages, and it seems that every drunk Dick and Harry has his or her fiery opinion on the matter. Which side do you take?

Yes
There’s no doubt about it, sometimes a red wine is best enjoyed without the screams of randy teenagers on a mission to spread their legs yet again (and consequently spend the weekend wondering why he didn’t call). Unfortunately, it’s often only after opening your wallet and paying the cover charge that you find the venue room to be filled with an entire other generation- one which, last time you checked, belonged in the Year 7 corridor.
Clubs and bars which actively advertise themselves as ‘Over 21′ venues not only attract like-minded people, but also ensure a good crowd every night of the week. Who wouldn’t pass up the chance to sit back and enjoy a few beverages without having to worry about where that God damn screaming is coming from, or why belts suddenly suffice as skirts?

No
Restricting certain bars and clubs reliant on age is, no matter which way you twist it, a form of discrimination. Telling people (who can legally drink, but who are of a certain age) that they are not welcome in certain venues is just as bad as defining patrons based on gender, race, height and weight. If this idea becomes a trend, there’s a great possibility that a night of bar hopping could well become a night of bar-after-bar rejection for patrons who are otherwise willing to pay proprietors a wallet full of cash just for a couple of drinks and some good tunes.