What age can teens drink wine?

[MollyHuaCha]

Sorry, I should know this (but I don't). We're going for DC's18th birthday dinner in a posh (and hopefully lovely) London restaurant. Can the younger teenagers drink a glass of wine at the meal?

Yes I thought they could! I know my son when he was 15 had cider with us at a restaurant once.

16 In pubs I think.

I think it's only cider they can have. How old are they?

I think It's from 14 with a meal.

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. In this case it is legal for them to drink, but not buy, beer, wine and cider with a table meal.

It's from age 16 but will also depend on the restaurant as to what their rules are.

www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/alcohol-and-the-law/the-law-on-alcohol-and-under-18s/ - can't believe it's actually legal to let children over the age of 5 drink alcohol at home though!

It's age 16 and 17 and is ok for beer, wine and cider

Would 16 year olds need ID for wine with a meal with parents?

Thanks by the way for the advice!

I shouldn't imagine they would need ID but it probably depends on your teenager.

We are not very permissive with alcohol (as we have issues in the family with addiction/gambling) but we are also trying to not make it a forbidden desirable thing. We drink occasionally and DSs have had a shandy or glass of cider with a meal (a couple of times a year) since they were about 14/15. DSs are tall and hirsute and look a lot older though.

Yes, they'll need ID. Pubs have to request ID from anyone who looks under 25.

16 with a meal. They don't need ID.

Demented, it's still discretionary. If you were regularly giving your 5yo vodka to get them to sleep, that wouldn't be legal as it would come under child protection. It's just supposed to give parents a sensible level of freedom in which to supervise and decide when they first introduce alcohol to their DC.

16 if having a meal can have a beer/cider/wine.

I don't know why everyone is adamant she doesn't need ID, she still needs to be able to prove she's 16 if asked to...

16 with meal.

she still needs to be able to prove she's 16 if asked to...

Agree but we've never been asked to. I think at a sedate family meal in a nice restaurant with parents present etc the chance of being asked are a lot slimmer than say, an 18 year old out with 17 year old friends, having a meal in a pub and ordering drinks for them all, especially if they look young for their age.

I guess you have to way up the embarrassment of not being able to provide ID against the pleasure of sharing a bottle of wine.

I have bought wine and beer for mine when they were 16 and 17 with a meal, and we were not asked for ID. The waiter just asked if they were 16 and over.

My DD is 14 and is young looking, we have been out and she had her wine glass filled when the waiter was pouring for everyone. I don't think he noticed that she was a child.

Thanks :-) I appreciate your replies. The teens I had in mind for this meal are 16 and look 16. We hardly ever drink alcohol at home, but for the last few years, I've given teens some champagne at Christmas if they want it. For the 18th birthday meal, a bottle of bubbly seems appropriate, so I'll plan to offer the 16yr olds a glass too, provided the restaurant is ok with it. Chat believe DC1 will be 18... 😃

I wouldn't give it another thought OP, I'd just order the bottle and how many glasses you need and I don't expect that they'll bat an eyelid. If they have prof that they are 16 then I'd bring it along just in case. I hope you have a lovely time.

16 year old Ds (just before his 17th birthday) was allowed a shandy with a meal in a licenced restaurant, but has been refused a share of the wine at a meal (in a pub restaurant) since turning 17 so its a bit confusing. Maybe the second time it was because it was in a pub- or just because the waiter got it wrong.
Hope the birthday meal goes well.

I went for a meal at a chain restaurant with DS (who was 17 at the time) and DH. We ordered a beer for DS. The waiter asked how old he was. When we told him he refused to bring the drink. We pointed out the licensing laws. He went and referred to the Manager and came back and said the answer was still "No". So it also depends on the policy of the restaurant concerned.

You may wish to check with the restaurant by phone in advance to save any embarrassment on the day.

Thanks guys for your thoughtful responses. We'll go, order bubbly and glasses and see what the response is. We're quite an easy going bunch and if the under-18s are not allowed a drink, well all the more for DH, birthday child and me 😁😁😁

My DS was allowed to drink beer, cider and wine at my dad's medieval banquet earlier this year, not asked for his age (he looks younger than his 16 years). At a different restaurant he was poured a glass of wine by the waiter without any discussion again. Should be fine

Whilst there is a clause in the law that allows under 18's a drink with a table meal, each place will have their own policy and its discretionary.
Parents reciting 'the law' to me and demanding that their child be served alcohol used to be a daily occurance.
Just give them a ring and ask.