Tokyo pub soft-bans customers aged 40 and up to avoid noise complaints

A Japanese pub has imposed a rare soft ban for customers aged 40 and up to avoid noise complaints and give their young guests the best experience.

Japan Today reported that the Dogenzaka branch of Tori Yaro, an izakaya in Tokyo's Shibuya district, posted a sign on their venue door which reads "Entrance limited to customers between the ages of 29 and 39. This is an izakaya for younger generations. U-40. Pub for under 40s only."

Despite the restrictions, annotations are written in small print, and older customers may still come in if they are accompanied by someone aged 39 or younger. Friends or family members of their employees, as well as their business partners, are exempted from the ban.

The chain's PR representative, Toshihiro Nagano, explained that the move was made to match the pub's atmosphere with customer preferences.

"Essentially, our customer base is young. With older customers, they tend to make a lot of complaints about the restaurant being too noisy and such, so we decided to limit who’s coming in, so that everyone can go home happy about the experience they had,” Nagano said.

According to the media outlet, the chain is known for affordable prices, casual designs, and a "boisterous" atmosphere that altogether attract a youthful crowd.