Aibu for thinking water isn't free unless you are drinking alcohol

[Snugdrink]

Another thread people have stated water is free in restaurants due to licensing. It's only for those drinking alcohol.

Aibu in thinking people are entitled

I am being unreasonable

what?

I googled it and only just found out that actually it doesn't matter if you are drinking or not! I'm an idiot

I rarely drink alcohol in restaurants and often get a jug of water for the table with or without soft drinks with no problem.

So you're saying you've never asked for tap water in a restaurant as you thought you'd have to pay for it?!

All restaurants in England and Wales that serve alcohol are legally required to give customers free tap water according to the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010, which came into force in April 2010 and was updated in 2014. Those that don't are under no obligation to do so. The legislation for Scotland is the same, but it's a different act.

What? If they offer water they always ask tap or bottled.
Are you not from UK?

Sorry!

I really thought that free water was only allowed for those drinking alcohol, but anyone can get free water

So you think people should pay for tap water if they are not drinking alcohol?

How much should they pay ?
Obviously bottles, soda , and tonic water should be paid for but even soda water should only be a nominal fee

Jesus - put down your pitchfork. She clearly misunderstood the law - she's already apologised.

Have you been on the wine (and tap water) then OP?

Why? 😂

I don't have a pitch fork , i was just puzzled ,and if you look you will see that we posted at exactly the same time so I did not see the appolgie.

Yeah why should they get free water? You don't go into Tesco and get free water....

No they don't always ask. Usually they assume bottle so they can charge you. Might ask still or sparkling...

Yeah why should they get free water? You don't go into Tesco and get free water....

Well, you're not generally paying to have a meal served to you in Tescos

If you’re paying for food I don’t see why you shouldn’t be allowed tap water. It would be cheeky (and weird) to go in a pub or restaurant and just order tap water.

I'm a waitress in a bar and always ask people if they want water when I sit them down. Some do ask for mineral water or sparkling which we charge for but I wouldn't dream of charging them for tap water. We don't pay for water here in Northern Ireland.

Oh, this is really sweet 🤗

We do pay for tap water, obvs. Just not by the glass or jug!

No idea, I asked for water and get it if they want to charge me fine but never have so far

The two pubs I go to (one of which serves meals) both have jugs of water and empty glasses at one end of the bar. You just go up and help yourselves.

This is the best thread on MN today

In Western Australia, it is a legal requirement that all food premises provide free water and something to drink it from. In reality, although some places put a bottle on the table for you, most have a jug/tap/large bottles in a corner with glasses for you to help yourself so they don’t have to bear too much cost. Some even give fridge space to it.

It works just fine. It’s just one of the things you do.

Yeah why should they get free water? You don't go into Tesco and get free water....

Pubs, bars & restaurants need to be nice - or at least passably civil - to non-drinkers, because q lot of their trade depends on there being willing designated drivers amongst the customers.

Also bottled water is an eco disaster.

In Scotland there are water top up stations in lots of towns so you can fill up your water bottles for free when out and about. Free tap water in restaurants has been normal for a long time.