My dd is 17 and as a family we occasionally have wine with dinner or a couple of glasses on a Sat night watching x factor or whatever. Today was my d's first day of college. Afterwards I met her in town and we went to a Wetherspoons for a bite to eat. I ordered a carafe of wine and 2 glasses, as a wee bit of a celebration really. Halfway through the meal a bartender came over and asked d for id. I explained right away that she was 17 but I was her mum and I was ok with it. He said that no, she couldn't drink in there and we'd have to leave. Tonight there has been much debate in the house about this. I was CONVINCED that 16 yo could drink wine or cider in a restaurant if accompanied by an adult? I can't for the life of me remember where I heard this though. Any restaurateurs around to clarify?