Rules re under 18s being in pubs?

[3masons]

Hi. 

Is there a general rule/law regarding a minor being in a pub with an adult over 18? 

I know kids can be in pubs with adults but is this time dependent? 

 

[Penguin68]

https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-young-people-law

[3masons]

 

36 minutes ago, Penguin68 said:

https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-young-people-law

Thanks

[Sue]

It does depend on the pub.

The Ivy House, for example, does not allow under 18s after 8pm, accompanied or not.

[Cyclemonkey]

That will often be a licence condition set by the council.

[ianr]

And you can access all the various Southwark licence registers via https://app.southwark.gov.uk/.  It took me some time to find this last week so I've been meaning to pass it on anyway.  The register you'll want for pubs is the premises licence.

[Penguin68]

Remember also that, particularly for very young guests publicans may prefer them to be in specific areas and not in every space, even where they are allowed in more generally. 

[PickledPorcupine]

It is very much encouraged in the pubs of ED. Many of them resemble a genuine creche or nursery during the day, even on weekends. I couldnt believe the amount of buggies and colouring in going on in 'The Actress' one Saturday recently. 

Later in the evening there will still be many children around, whether its eating expensive dinners or having a 'family gathering', the different coloured pencils and running around the premises will be still be evident. 

After 8pm i think most pubs are empty. None of them seem to show sport anymore (except The Castle) which would have previosuly drawn in a crowd for Champions League matches, as most residents prefer rugby. 

[Sue]

1 hour ago, PickledPorcupine said:

 

After 8pm i think most pubs are empty. None of them seem to show sport anymore (except The Castle) which would have previosuly drawn in a crowd for Champions League matches, as most residents prefer rugby. 

I have no interest in sport, apart from a mild interest in Wimbledon (only because I understand rules 😂) , but surely lots of pubs round here are still very busy after 8pm, and many pubs still show sport which isn't rugby?!

[tiddles]

I think most under 18’s are ok until 8pm. Whilst most pubs are child friendly, they want them to be child free in the evenings

[Sue]

1 minute ago, tiddles said:

I think most under 18’s are ok until 8pm. 

After 8pm they turn into something unspeakable 🤣

[malumbu]

It was a better world where 15 year olds could get away with buying alcohol in pubs.  They can still get hold of the stuff but better drinking in a pub with some adult supervision IE bar staff than in the park after dark

[Bob Buzzard]

On 19/04/2025 at 21:52, Penguin68 said:

https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-young-people-law

“However, if you’re 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, you can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal.”

 

[malumbu]

I was a late starter, just 17, when I started to go to pubs regularly.  I'd been bought a drink by a family friend before that.  We had several pubs that catered for under age drinkers, one 15 +, one 16+ etc till we graduated to the 18+ pub and felt really grown up.  And at those young ages alcohol tolerance was low so you could nurse your drink for an hour or so.

The curse of binge drinking came later.....