Can a sixteen year old drink alcohol in a restaurant?

Spendless

You've obviously not seen the episode of The Inbetweeners where they 'exploit' this, by ordering carverys and approaching an adult in the pub to sit with them so they can have a beer.:p:D

gunsandbanjos

Noctu wrote: »

Whilst it is legally OK, as another poster has mentioned, many places will refuse to do so anyway. Might be worth phoning up the restaurant beforehand to ask about their policy if you're set on the idea.

Totally agree! I worked in hospitality for years and none of the places I worked permitted this.

Becles

Been out for meals several times with my eldest since he turned 16 and he's ordered a pint of beer but nobody has ever challenged it.

heuchera

I've learnt something new reading this. I thought you had to be 18 to drink alcohol in a pub.

Carmina-Piranha_2

My kids have been ID'd twice, both times in pubs in the 'spoons chain. They are 18 and 19 but look young. One time the 18 year old didn't have ID so they took the pint away from him even though we were all having a meal to celebrate his 18th. Yes I know spoons isn't a classy place to celebrate an 18th, but he loves their burgers.

The second time he had ID. They came and interrupted the meal to ask. They hadn't asked at the time of ordering because the 4 adults were drinking soft drinks, and the staff had assumed that the pint was for one of the adults.

So yes, I'd call and ask.

meritaten

yes, strictly speaking she is correct - but, most licensed premises will not serve alcohol to under 18s. best to phone and check the restaurants policy on this. The only place I ever worked at which allowed 16 year olds to drink alcohol, was if the 'Table' had ordered a bottle of wine and a parent actually filled the glass. they would then check the child was over 16.

Solarjunkie

I went for a steak meal on my 11th birthday and ordered (and received) a glass of cider with it.

It wasn't until my own child was 11 that it dawned on me that it wasn't common for an 11 year old to be eating in a steakhouse on her own!

I had been eating in a cafe alone on a Saturday for some time, so to me it just seemed a birthday treat to go up a level. Apparently, my parents were told later that it was not their usual policy to serve drinks to children, but they made an exception for me - I don't think it was illegal at the time btw.

peachyprice

heuchera wrote: »

I've learnt something new reading this. I thought you had to be 18 to drink alcohol in a pub.

You do, at the bar. But not a restaurant or restaurant part of a pub.

Op's daughter couldn't have a drink with her meal then leave the restaurant area and carry on drinking in the bar area.

Soleil_lune

Flippin' ridiculous rules and regulations and laws all over the place for what age you can do what!!!

It should be the same age for everything. Passing your driving test, buying/drinking alcohol, getting married, voting, hiring a car, drinking alcohol with a meal, everything. And the age should be 18. IMO.

shoe*diva79

Soleil_lune wrote: »

Flippin' ridiculous rules and regulations and laws all over the place for what age you can do what!!!

It should be the same age for everything. Passing your driving test, buying/drinking alcohol, getting married, voting, hiring a car, drinking alcohol with a meal, everything. And the age should be 18. IMO.

I agree. 18 is the age in which a child becomes an adult.