In the UK, is it legal for an under 18 to (not drink alcohol) but SIT in a pub ?!


Question: Is there any government law or regulation that doesn't allow under 18s to sit in pubs, bars or a certain type of licensed premises (without drinking).

I'm usually allowed to do this (I'm 17). Just 30 minutes ago I was in a pub in London, drinking coca cola - waiting for my best friends band to play. His brother was the organiser.

All of the sudden the bouncers, who were very unprofessional (its in a downtown area), came round IDying. I said I was 17 and 2 months, but I'm drinking a Coca Cola, my best friend organised the event - and I've been here before and theres been no problem.

Despite the outpouring of defense and confusion from my friends, I had no other choice but to leave. The bouncer said it was against the law, but it's just against the law for me to drink alcohol. The manager let me in last time.

So is there a government law or regulation which doesn't allow an under 18 to SIT (not drink) in a pub, bar or other type of licensed premises ?

Note: Please quote the law.


Answers: Is there any government law or regulation that doesn't allow under 18s to sit in pubs, bars or a certain type of licensed premises (without drinking).

I'm usually allowed to do this (I'm 17). Just 30 minutes ago I was in a pub in London, drinking coca cola - waiting for my best friends band to play. His brother was the organiser.

All of the sudden the bouncers, who were very unprofessional (its in a downtown area), came round IDying. I said I was 17 and 2 months, but I'm drinking a Coca Cola, my best friend organised the event - and I've been here before and theres been no problem.

Despite the outpouring of defense and confusion from my friends, I had no other choice but to leave. The bouncer said it was against the law, but it's just against the law for me to drink alcohol. The manager let me in last time.

So is there a government law or regulation which doesn't allow an under 18 to SIT (not drink) in a pub, bar or other type of licensed premises ?

Note: Please quote the law.

There is no law preventing people under 18 to be in pubs -- and as a 17 year old it is legal for you to drink beer in a pub if you are with an over-18 who bought it for you.

But no-one of any age has a *right* to be in a pub. It is always at the discretion of the landlord, and in these days of increasing anti-drink hysteria where councils send under-aged people out to deliberately try to by alcohol to test pubs and shops, it is understandable that landords err on the side of caution. It is their livelihood at risk.


So quoting the law will not help; presumably the bouncers had their instructions from management. It doesn't matter that they were wrong about the law, as they represented management they could bar and eject anyone.

An extract of the laws (taken from UK govt website - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Your... )

Under 16s
Children under 16 can go anywhere in a pub as long as they are supervised by an adult, but cannot have any alcoholic drinks.

However, some premises may be subject to licensing conditions preventing them from entering, such as pubs which have experienced problems with underage drinking.

16 or 17 years old
Young people aged 16 or 17 can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal if it is bought by an adult and they are accompanied by an adult. It is illegal for this age group to drink spirits in pubs even with a meal.

In Scotland, 16 and 17 year olds can buy beer, wine or cider so long as it's served with a meal and consumed in an area used solely for eating meals.

Under 18 years old
It is against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence, supermarket, or other outlet, or for anyone to buy alcohol for someone under 18 to consume in a pub or a public place.

Some towns and cities have local by-laws banning drinking alcohol in public.

Dude it's worth not woth drinkg! laws keep poeple safe wait !

I think in England it is allowed if there is food being served, but here in Scotland you are not allowed in a bar under 18 drinking or not.
That being said, if they didn't want you in they are perfectly entitled to ask you to leave (or eject you if needs be) whether you are 8, 18 or 80 and there is no compunction on them to even give a reason.





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