At Södermalm in Stockholm, a pub with an unusual niche has opened the doors-here only 55-plus people are welcomed. The concept has become a success from the first day.
– I have long thought that there is a void for this particular age group, says owner Ahmet Özdemir.
After 25 years in the pub industry, the owner of the pub, Ahmet Özdemir, got an idea when a vacant room showed up next to their existing pub on Hornsgatan.
– Why not use the room for the particularly obscured group, says Özdemir.
A place for 55-plus-with clear rules
Outside the pub’s entrance, visitors are met by a clear 55-plus sign that announces that “young people do not bother”. Inside the room awaits a relaxed environment where guests can enjoy both berries and classic butter bread.
– We want to create a place where the elderly feel welcome and feel comfortable, says the owner. We joked and said that in a few days half of Stockholm’s 55-plus has been here, and now we are waiting for the other half.
The age limit set by the pub is clear, but also poses some practical challenges.
– We always ask our guests to show identification, and expect them to tell the truth. But honestly, it is more difficult to see a difference between a 50-year-old and a 60-year-old than to discover a minor in a regular pub, says Özdemir.
Valid ID card is required
Despite some flexibility, the rules are clear: identification is required to enter.
-If you have no valid ID card, then unfortunately you must not come in. Not even Bank ID works-we require a physical ID.
The pub has not only become a place for relaxed interaction, but also a symbol that the elderly can get an obvious place in Stockholm’s pub selection.
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