I don’t see the age restriction as too far different from senior clubs (minus the gender split; do nonbinary folks get in at 30 or 35?) so that doesn’t bother me. IDs being verified by a St Louis County officer instead of an employee of the restaurant does. Why are taxpayers of all ages footing the bill for a private business?
The cop isn't likely officially on duty, it's likely a detail shift that's little more than bonus income for cops. Many police forces require private business that may be dangerous to hire off duty police.
Their marketing scam wasn't edgy enough without it.
This whole thing is designed to generate a lot of buzz about the restaurant. Once the buzz dies down, they'll either quietly drop the restrictions. Or declare bankruptcy and find a new angle.
Don't know about where this restaurant is, but in my corner of the world, restaurants are hurting. They're happy to get any paying customers they can.
Write back in 2 years and see if this place is still open and still uses this Facebook-headline marketing strategy.