Ohio Bar Divides Customers With New Age Policy

The decision of a bar in Groveport, Ohio, to introduce a new minimum-age policy on selected evenings has angered younger customers, who complained of being unfairly blamed for incidents which did not involve them.

Donerick’s Pub Groveport, a bar located at 3783 S. Hamilton Road, around eight miles southeast of downtown Columbus, announced on May 1 that, starting from Friday, May 3, they were introducing age restrictions which would only allow customers aged 30 and above to access the location on Friday and Saturday nights.

“30 & up Friday and Saturday nights!! *No exception*,” reads a leaflet shared by the bar in a post on Facebook. The bar charges a fee of $5 for entry between 10 p.m. and midnight and of $10 between midnight and 1:15 a.m.

Newsweek contacted Donerick’s Pub for comment via Facebook on Tuesday morning.

Donerick’s decision, which follows reports by Facebook users of a fight breaking out inside the establishment a few weeks ago, received conflicting reactions from customers, with the younger clientele questioning whether the policy was justified and really addresses the problem, and the older clientele saying the restriction should go even further.

“In this type of business it’s inevitable that incidents will happen. Need better plans for when things get out of control,” wrote a Columbus resident on Facebook, adding that the new policy might lead to the bar closing in the near future. “I’m 25, and all my friends are under 30. We come here for good vibes. It’s sad one incident impacted the entire business and couldn’t find a way to keep good business flowing.”

Another Columbus resident wrote that she understood the new age restrictions made by the bar, but she said it “just sucks” even though she is nearing 30. Instead of introducing the age restriction, she suggested the bar should stop selling drinks at 1:30 a.m. “or let everyone go at that time” to avoid “drama” or stop letting people in after midnight as the place gets “too packed.”

One resident expressed concern over the impact of the new policy on the bar’s employees. “This won’t only affect the business’ income, but the employees that rely on tips to make a living wage. You’d accomplish more from better-trained security, a dress code and a cover charge,” he wrote.

Some complained about the higher entry fees, calling it “absurd” without any kind of additional live entertainment.

But others were onboard with the new age policy; even calling for the bar to increase the restriction to customers aged 35 and above. One resident wrote on Facebook: “30+ is definitely going in the right direction.” Another commented: “35+ please. If things don’t change, I will never go back after the shenanigans this past weekend. Embarrassing.”

The bar did not offer an explanation for the new policy, but said in a Facebook comment: “We will try different methods to keep the violence down. It will not be tolerated.”