Age checks at large arenas?

[FreshStartToday]

Special treat for ds1's 18th to go and see a well known comedian. Show is advertised for 16 and over. DS2 is 15, will be nearly 16 on the day, and looks older. Do arena's check ID/do I have to leave him at home, or are we likely to be OK?

Is it advised or does it say no under 16s?

I was ID'd at an arena once but was seeing live music and they didn't want under 16s in the standing area. I would think you'd be ok seeing a comedian.

Says "Please note, over 16s only"

Are you all going or just the dcs?

I was hoping we could all go, so parents plus both lads.

Plan B would be for ds1 to take a mate, and we stay in a hotel with ds2 and all do something the next day, but it would be brilliant if we could all go. Don't want to be turned away at the gate though, for his 18th birthday treat, if we have to produce ID for ds2.

In my experience they aren't too rigorous about checking these things, so as long as he looks around the right age it most likely won't be an issue, especially not accompanied by an adult. The issue is more keeping out kids who are obviously far too young.

If you're really worried it might be a good idea to contact the venue and ask about their policy on checking these things. It's fairly common for sixteen year olds not to have any sort of convenient ID that would serve as an official proof of age so you could frame your request as just wanting to know what they require so your teens will know what to bring.

Great plan Nosy. I was wondering about ringing but that's a really tactful way of putting it. Thanks

Sheffield arena didn't check when dd1 was just under 14 and gping on her on with her sister, Age was 14 +

Sheffield arena didn't check when dd1 was just under 14 and gping on her on with her sister, Age was 14 +

Our dc are all tall/mature looking for their age but we've found they still sometimes get refused (recently dd2 - 14 - to a 15 film) but never with us with them. Parents too have got ds (almost 16) into Trainspotting 2 (18).