Overage all the rage at city drinking hotspot

A Ponsonby bar has raised the bar by imposing an R-22 age restriction.

Longroom, on Ponsonby Road, no longer has the welcome mat out for younger drinkers – even those of legal drinking age.

Co-owner Richard Bagnall said the decision had been made in order to protect the bar’s liquor licence, which was being threatened by 18-20 year olds entering the premises too intoxicated.

An R22 sign has been posted on the bar’s front door, causing frustration and confusion for younger would-be drinkers queuing to get in – only to be barred at the entrance. Such frustrations have been voiced online.

Mr Bagnall said the new age limit was loosely enforced.

“If you were with a group of friends who are 23, and you are 21, we wouldn’t turn you away.”

This change had not been announced publicly, partly because the bar operated in a non-discriminative way, to not ruin a group’s night if only one person could not enter the club, he added.

The change had been positive for the slightly older audience of the bar, as well as bartenders and bouncers.

Alicia Doel, 24, said the behavioural gap between 18-year-olds to 22+ had an adverse effect on her night out.

“I love going out and having a good time with my friends but I don't want to be surrounded by people who act like children.”

A poll created on Facebook to see how many knew about the age change revealed out of the 30 people who answered, no one knew about it, nor were they too worried.

All but two of the participants were under 22.

The age restriction is mainly enforced on a Friday and Saturday night, but the bar is happy to take bookings and host functions for customers who are under 22 during these peak times.

Mr Bagnall said Longroom has always had a regular older crowd and this change would keep it that way.

Dr Nikki Taylor, director of Alcohol Healthwatch, said the bar should be able to provide measures to prevent an extreme level of intoxication in the first place.

She believed the problem came from a combination of cheap liquor prices at off licences, and New Zealand’s pre-loading culture.

Dr Taylor did not believe raising the age restriction would prevent this.

Other bars in the area are not believed to have adopted Longroom’s stance.