Big Brothers & Cousin

I texted my cousin, writer, blogger extraordinaire, Gabe and asked if he and his lovely wife Katherine wanted to join me for a Friday night, "I so need a drink" drink. Unfortunately, Katherine is in the midst of mid-terms for her Masters, but Gabe, fortunately, was free.

I had read in the East Bay Express, that there was a benefit for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the East Bay at a place called Club Paradiso, where they were offering half off drinks and food by Everett & Jones BBQ - so what the heck. Neither of us had been to this place in the Uptown section of Oakland, and up and coming area. We walked in and the place was jammed at 7 p.m. We grabbed a drink, a little nibble and tried to have a conversation above the din of the crowd and the thump-thump-thumping of the music. Our conversation went something like this:
He: when you were in your 20's, do you remember bars being this loud?
Me: when I was in my 20's, I didn't care.
He: I never liked it.
Me: We're just older now.

So after a little less than an hour, 1 drink, a few chicken wings and some popcorn, we took a walk down Telegraph Avenue to see what was happenin' in "the hood". We walked by Mama Buzz Cafe (will definitely need to check it out), where there was a merry band of musicians strumming guitar. Then we walked by the Stork Club, where they were having Goth Night. I would liken the Stork Club as the older sibling of Heart and Dagger. It definitely had a cool vibe and we chatted up either an owner, sound guy or hanger on-er named Christian, who knew plenty of the same musical dudes I did from the '80's club scene. He invited us to stay, but frankly, without my black vinyl, black lipstick, and a black trench coat, I hardly felt that I could stay for Goth night.

Finally, I have quite figured out whether I loved the bouncer or despised him. He asked me for my ID. So here's the question, did he card me to:
a) flatter me?
or
b) insult me because he wanted me to go away?

He was closer to my age than not, and he didn't card the cousin.
So--what gives?