when is it legal to drink?

robnye

not sure if this is the right board,

just been asked a question by my 18 year old daughter (she was 18 in march)
her friend wants to go drinking on her 18th birthday (this thurdsday), but they have heard that some places may not allow it until 24 hours/next day following your 18th birthday.

what is the legal ruling?
i have searched and can only find that 18 is the legal age, but not whether it takes into account when during the day you are born, ie 6am/2pm etc

Drea

As soon as 12am hits you are officially 18 and can drink. I went out on my 18th and some places wouldn't sell me alcohol until 12am hit. But yes, if it's her birthday then she will get sold.

davetrousers

Drea wrote: »

But yes, if it's her birthday then she will get sold.

Blimey, what into? Slavery?

Drea

davetrousers wrote: »

Blimey, what into? Slavery?

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: Exactly!

vixarooni

went out on my 18th and was fine. Round here they are strict on ID, but once youre through the door you can do whatever (within reason!)

kr15snw

From what I can remember technically they dont have to sell it to you until the end of your 18th birthday (as if you were born at 11:59pm then your not actually 18 until then). But no one actually keeps to this, I had a few bouncers joke with me about it on my birthday. Although I do remember one of my friends being turned away on her birthday because of the above ruling.

Reggie_Rebel

Most pubs and offies round our way?

About 12 I reckon

robnye

cheers peeps.... never had a problem when i where young.........

i think the consensus is that its down to where and when you go.....

onlyroz

I think that you can drink in a pub from 16 if an adult buys your drink. So if there's a prob just get your daughter go to the bar.

Slapps

onlyroz wrote: »

I think that you can drink in a pub from 16 if an adult buys your drink. So if there's a prob just get your daughter go to the bar.

and it's nothing stronger than a coke or you'll get done for supplying the under age.

BillScarab

onlyroz wrote: »

I think that you can drink in a pub from 16 if an adult buys your drink. So if there's a prob just get your daughter go to the bar.

I'm pretty sure the above is correct so long as you are sitting at a table having a meal in a restaurant area. Doesn't apply in a bar area though so buying a sandwich wouldn't work.

It's legal to give alcohol to children from the age of 5 at home BTW.

Good summary here