A Mediterranean restaurant in Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill neighborhood has made headlines by instituting a new policy banning guests under 30 from dining after 8:30 p.m.
According to The Washington Post report on Tuesday, Café 8 recently implemented this measure to address noise-related issues and maintain a more comfortable dining environment, as the restaurant is situated near residential areas.
In an Instagram post on November 27, the restaurant announced that patrons under 30 would no longer be allowed to enter after 8:30 p.m.
Owner Elif Sam explained that the decision was necessary to ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all guests, citing incidents involving noise, assaults, and even firearm possession. She said, “We changed our policy to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests due to unexpected incidents.”
A Response to Ongoing Disturbances
Sam detailed several disturbances that led to the change. “They (young people) park in front of the restaurant, blast loud music, and party in their cars,” she said. She also claimed that a few months ago, her father was assaulted by a group of teenagers near the restaurant. In another unsettling incident last month, she said a group of young men carrying firearms attempted to enter the restaurant.
With these ongoing disruptions, Sam felt compelled to introduce the entry restrictions. “It’s easier to communicate with older customers,” she noted. “They don’t cause trouble or want to fight.”
She expressed hope that the new policy would help reduce these disturbances.
Customer reactions have been divided. Some online users supported the move with comments like, “Thank goodness,” and “I like that it’s a place for adults.” Others, however, criticized the decision, arguing that “restricting by age is not the right move” and calling it “a fallacy of generalization.”
The restaurant’s decision has also raised legal questions, as Washington, D.C.’s Human Rights Act prohibits age discrimination. Concerns exist that the restaurant could face legal challenges or be subject to scrutiny from local authorities regarding its business license.
However, the city’s Office of Human Rights has clarified that “while denying service based on age is generally prohibited, exceptions can be made if such restrictions are necessary for the effective operation of a business.”
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