Can Brits drink at 16?

It is prohibited to sell or serve alcohol to a person under 18 years of age. The law provides an exception for minors aged 16 and 17, if they consume a glass of beer, wine or cider with a meal in a restaurant. Otherwise attempting to buy alcohol or buying alcohol as a minor is an offence.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org


Can you drink at 16 in England?

16- and 17-year-olds

Someone aged 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal at a licensed premises (except in Northern Ireland). But it's illegal for people this age to drink spirits in a pub anywhere in the UK, even with a meal.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drinkaware.co.uk


What country lets you drink at 16?

Countries in which the drinking age is 16:

Austria — 16 for wine and beer, 18 for spirits. Liechtenstein — 16 for beer and most drinks, 18 for spirits and alcopops/coolers. Lithuania — Though age to purchase is 20. Morocco — Non-Muslims only.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on worldpopulationreview.com


Can you drink cocktails at 16 UK?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thestudentroom.co.uk


Can you drink at 16 in Europe?

You need to be 18, however, to drink spirits in Germany, and 16 to drink beer and wine on your own. In Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, and Denmark, you can also drink beer and wine at 16 years, and you must be 18 to drink harder alcohol such as distilled spirits.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on worldatlas.com


The First Time You Try To Buy Alcohol | Ladhood On iPlayer Now



Can you drink at 16 in Ireland?

Young people and alcohol

You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol in Ireland. It is an offence to: Serve alcohol to a person who is under 18. Pretend to be 18 or over in order to buy alcohol.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on citizensinformation.ie


Can you drink at 14 in France?

The legal drinking age in France is 18, or 16 if the person is in the presence of adults (usually understood to be family members). This might seem surprising. After all, France has a reputation for being a country of wine-lovers. You may even have heard that there's no legal drinking age at all.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on frenchtogether.com


What can you do at 16 UK?

At 16 you can:
  • Get married.
  • Enter into a civil partnership.
  • Consent to lawful sexual intercourse.
  • Leave home without your parents/guardians' consent.
  • Apply for your own home through your local council.
  • Have access to many more banking facilities, including all adult services, except overdrafts and credit.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on young.scot


Can 16 year olds drink in Wetherspoons?

We do not permit the purchase or consumption of alcohol or the use of gaming machines by under-18s on our premises. In all of our pubs, we have adopted the Challenge 21 or Challenge 25 policy. If a member of staff believes that you look under 21 or 25 years, you will be asked to prove that you are aged over 18 years.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on manage.jdwetherspoon.com


Can I buy my 16 year old a drink in a pub?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on tripadvisor.co.uk


What country can you drink at 13?

Around the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cnn.com


What's the lowest drinking age?

The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on vinepair.com


Can you drink 15 UK?

You can be stopped, fined or arrested by police if you're under 18 and drinking alcohol in public. If you're under 18, it's against the law: for someone to sell you alcohol. to buy or try to buy alcohol.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on gov.uk


Can my 16 year old drink alcohol in a restaurant?

I worked in a restaurant for several years and our licencing did not permit us to serve alcohol to anyone under 18 irregardless of who they were dining with. as above. Legally the 18 year old can buy alcohol and the 17 year old can drink it in a pub or restaurant with a meal.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on tripadvisor.co.uk


Can a 16 year old drink alcohol with a meal?

Ultimately it is at the discretion of the landlord. The law allows for people under 18 to drink "beer, cider and perry" whilst eating a "meal". The youngster must be seated in an area dedicated to the service and consumption of food.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on tripadvisor.co.uk


What age can you drink in UK?

It is against the law:

For someone under 18 to buy alcohol, attempt to buy alcohol or to be sold alcohol. For someone under 18 to drink alcohol in licensed premises, except where the child is 16 or 17 years old and accompanied by an adult.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on manchestereveningnews.co.uk


Can a minor drink non alcoholic beer UK?

The legal age for buying low and non-alcoholic beverages is 18 years of age. However, to make this legal, the drink you are selling must contain below 0.5% alcohol. 5% ABV. If you drink anything below 0, you should avoid it.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blacktailnyc.com


How much alcohol should a 16 year old drink?

Advice for parents:

If 15 to 17 year olds drink alcohol, they should never exceed the recommended adult weekly limit (14 units of alcohol). 1 unit of alcohol is about half a pint of normal-strength beer or a single measure (25ml) of spirits. A small glass of wine equals 1.5 units of alcohol.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk


Is 16 a minor UK?

United Kingdom

In England and Wales and in Northern Ireland a minor is a person under the age of 18; in Scotland a minor reaches the age of majority at 18 although minors from the age of 16 have legal capacity to enter into contracts.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org


Is 16 a child UK?

England. In England a child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. Child protection guidance points out that even if a child has reached 16 years of age and is: living independently.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on learning.nspcc.org.uk


What can 16 buy UK?

16 years old and over restrictions
  • Petrol, paraffin and liquefied petroleum gas.
  • Novelty matches.
  • Caps.
  • Serpents.
  • Party poppers, throw downs, cracker snaps.
  • Aerosol spray paints.
  • Jumbo markers.
  • PEGI 16 rated games.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on noidnosale.com


What's the drinking age in Russia?

In Russia, the legal drinking age is usually eighteen. Usually, because there are some exceptions to that case. Technically, stronger alcohol such as cognac and vodka is sold only to those over 21.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theculturetrip.com


What is the drinking age in Japan?

In Japan, the legal adult age is 20. Japanese law prohibits individuals under the age of 20 to drink alcohol or smoke. Regardless of age, you must not force anyone to drink or smoke as it may cause serious health and social consequences.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on chiba-u.ac.jp


What is Germany's drinking age?

The legal drinking age in Germany is 16, though kids must wait until they're 18 to drink spirits. That five-year difference to the US, where the drinking age is 21, appears to be significant.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dw.com
Previous question
What is a parchment check?