Japanese media reported that bars in Shibuya, Tokyo, are spreading that do not accept customers in their 40s and older. The reason, they said, is complaints from other patrons that it is noisy.
TV Asahi reported on the 19th that more bars are banning entry to people 40 and older. Signs on the door say, "Entry limited to ages 20–39" and "This is a bar for the younger generation. Under forty (U-40) specialty." At the time of the reporting, 90% of the customers inside were in their 20s.
The owner said, "Basically, our customers are young, and when there were older patrons, we received complaints that it was 'noisy,'" adding, "Banning entry for those 40 and older was an effort to create a place where everyone can have a good time and go home feeling good."
According to TV Asahi, this bar sells drinks and snacks at very low prices. Lemon sour, popular among Japanese, is 55 yen (about 500 won) per glass, and the two-hour all-you-can-drink course is 1,099 yen (about 10,000 won). If you order one lemon sour, fried chicken, skewers, and French fries, it costs 2,118 yen (about 20,000 won).
When the reporters asked a customer in their 20s, the person said, "Because it is just young people, it is nice that we can be loud at the table and enjoy ourselves without worrying about each other." The owner, however, said, "If a customer 40 or older comes, we ask, 'The place can get loud; is that OK?' and then show them to a seat," adding, "Even if someone is actually over 40, we welcome them if their heart is in their 20s."
Conversely, some places restrict young customers. A charcoal-grill specialty restaurant that opened in May last year allows entry only to those 25 and older. The owner said, "It is to let adult patrons enjoy their meals without worrying," and added, "We wanted to create a place where the generation that enjoyed Shibuya 10–20 years ago can come back comfortably." Here, a plate of grilled duck is sold for 2,170 yen (about 20,000 won).
A diner in their 30s said, "I like that it is not the kind of atmosphere where young people shout 'Wow!' and make a racket," and, "If it is noisy, you have to speak loudly, but the older I get, the less I want to raise my voice like that."
The owner said that when customers under 25 try to visit, the restaurant verifies their age at the reservation stage or directs them to a nearby affiliated location.