To Curb Crime, St. Paul Bar Bans Patrons Under 40

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- A St. Paul bar is getting a lot of attention for a new policy to try to curb crime.  You're not allowed to drink if you're under 40.

"We want to take the bar back," Louie's manager Toni Carlson said.

Carlson said at one point last year, police were being called to the bar more than 300 times a month.

"There literally was a fight every single night," she said.

Carlson tried a 30-plus policy in October before trying 40-plus beginning earlier this month. She says the bar has seen a significant drop in crime, calling police 15 times since the fall.

"If you don't feel comfortable, why go," one 48-year-old regular said.

Word of the new policy sparked controversy online, with some Facebook users calling the move "discriminatory" and "illegal".

City of St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections spokesperson Robert Humphrey told WCCO having a 40-plus policy violates St. Paul Code Section 409.08, which prevents licensed businesses from restricting access to customers based on race, religion, sex, marital status and age. Humphrey said the 21-plus legal age to drink would be the exception.

Carlson said she doesn't feel the policy discriminates since the bar allows first-time customers under 40 in on a case-by-case basis, where they get a VIP card that's taken away if they cause any problems.

Several of Louie's regular customers said they supported the policy, but just want people to feel comfortable and safe coming to the bar.

"I love Louie's, this is my spot. And it's always going be my spot," John, a customer, said.