are 17year olds allowed in a pub?

Question

Hello,

Today me and two of my friends decided to go to a pub to sit down and have a chat and catch up on stuff but however the pub owners seemed to keep causing problems to us.

I am 20 years old, my friend is 18 and his girlfriend (my best friend) is 17years old so we went in the pub and me and my 18year old friend ordered beer and my best friend she wanted orange juice and we had a guy that came up to us saying we had to leave just because she is 17? BUT she wasn't even going to drink alcohol she was going to have orange juice?? The guy who works there said we had to leave even when we paid for the drinks just because my 17year old best friend was there when she wouldn't be drinking? anyway the guy had let us to finish our drinks considering since we've paid for the drink.

But it is really stupid to kick us out that someone is 17 not far from 18 and that isn't drinking alcohol either. also the pub we went to was suppose to be a 'family pub/restaurant' so why kick us out?

I study Public Services and I know a bit of the law and that a 16year old going into a pub is legal with parents etc i suppose considering they got non alcohol drinks and food as well.

My question is are 17 year old people allowed in a pub without parents or even normally but not drink alcohol or are they allowed to drink alcohol?? and does it really matter if a parent is not there? i am over 18+ and i could be responsible for her as an adult to drink can i not do that?

If the pub does not allow under 18's there then why do they have normal drinks that doesn't contain alcohol and have food?? also if a kid at age 12 can drink champaign and at 16 you can drink alcohol so why can't you get into a pub at age 17?

can you also give me websites that state the actual law of being able to get into pubs and what age you need to be in? I live in London by the way so the United Kingdom laws would he helpful.

IS there a place we can actually complain about these pubs? because they seem to be stupid and don't know about the laws and regulations.

Also the pub owner was taking the piss out of me and my friend just because he had his hat off and didn't want to take his hat off " due to not being able to see his face properly" that was his excuse but it was a load of crap. and the guy took the piss out of me as well by saying have i got a hat too in my picture :S what kind of question is that? and shouldn't be treating customers like that.

Would i get in trouble if my 17year old even drinking a light alcohol when an adult is present with her? I don't think i should really get in trouble considering she is over 16 which at age 16 you can drink beer etc so at 17 you should be able too with a adult present and responsible for the young person.
Also i've published questions on here before and I recieved stupid replies so please if you don't know anything about my enquiry then don't post stuff that doesn't answer my question.


also this a post of a lady from another comment in regards to the similar question -->

DJJD says - "Generally, this is what the 'law' says.
A child under 14 cannot normally go into a pub or other licensed premises where alcohol is sold and consumed during opening hours unless s/he is the landlord's child or lives on the premises. However, a publican can apply for a Children's Certificate which will allow children under 14 to be taken into a pub by an adult. Children would normally have to leave by 9pm.
A young person aged 14 or 15 can go into a pub but cannot buy or drink alcohol there.
A young person aged 16 or 17 can drink wine, beer, cider or perry (but not spirits) with a meal in a hotel, restaurant or part of a pub set apart for eating meals, provided a person over 18 shares the meal. S/he can also buy liqueur chocolates.
However, the publican/landlord has a right to say who can and cannot go into the premises. Try another pub. I do have to say that in my opinion under 16's should not be allowed into a bar area and should be restricted to a games room or similar. I would have no complaints about your being 17 and being in the pub."
3 years ago

Happy x-mas and new year. Looking foward for usefull replies. thanks!

Answer 1

A Licensee can by law refuse to serve anyone with out giving a reason.

As far as the actual law is concerned

One of the major changes in the Act is for the first time the licensing laws will extend to the whole of the premises rather than just the 'bar area' as was previously the case. Under the old regime, a child as young as 5 could be given alcohol to drink in a beer garden - this will no longer be legal. The sale or supply of alcohol anywhere on relevant premises to anyone aged under 18 years will be prohibited and will be a prosecutable offence; as will the consumption of alcohol by an individual under 18 anywhere on relevant premises. However, an exception is provided for an accompanied individual aged 16 or 17 where the alcohol is beer, wine or cider to be consumed at a table meal.





Children aged under 16 will have to be accompanied by an adult in establishments which are exclusively or primarily used for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises. Most pubs with a beer garden or outside terrace will fall under that description.





Will children aged under 16 be allowed to buy and consume soft drinks in any premises?





The purchase and consumption of soft drinks are not licensable activities. However, the offence provisions relating to certain categories of premises may mean that unaccompanied children under 16 may not have access to those premises even to buy and consume soft drinks.





Will the legal drinking age still be 18?





Yes. This remains unchanged under the Act. The only exception is that 16 and 17 year-olds may drink beer, wine or cider with a table meal in relevant premises, where accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over. In all other cases, it will be illegal for children under 18 to knowingly consume alcohol on relevant premises, or to buy or attempt to buy alcohol. Where the alcohol is consumed by accident, the child will have committed no offence.





An exception to this law is when a child has been asked to test-purchase alcohol from a relevant premises by a police officer or a trading standards officer. In these cases, the child will not be committing an offence.



you can read it all here

http://www.hart.gov.uk/index/environment-and-planning/licensing/licensing-faq/regulatory-licensing-faq-children.htm#children_1

Answer 2

you have your answer. 17 year-olds can go into a pub but cannot buy or consume alcohol unless as part of a meal.

Answer 3

yea

milk

soda

juice

water

lime

olive

cherry

Answer 4

Well if a 12 year old can drink champagne then what the hell is wrong w/ it