I've got a beard and Im in the same kind of age group as you....and i've found that most girls LOVE it! But like eg0 said...maybe its because i feel more confident with it.
Most clubs/bars i go to, I'll be the only one there with a beard, so right away i stand out. Also, because I've got shoulder length hair I get a few 'Jesus/Kings Of Leon/Russel Brand' comments as well. But i've learned comebacks for everything!!!
I'll also add that most other
guys will think your beard kick ass too. This could be used to your advantage. I was opening a 5 set on Monday (three girls and two guys). Disarming the guys was so easy because they kept saying how awesome my beard was. Then they both kept saying how they wished they could grow one..."it always comes out patchy though" and "but mine comes out ginger"....little did they know they were just lowering their value.

"You fools cant even grow beards?!!"