Legal age to enter a bar in US

onlyrocknroll

Hi

I'm going to Austin, Memphis and New Orleans this Christmas with a few family members. Obviously these are all places with a bit of a reputation for good music scenes and good bars, so nightlife is going to feature fairly heavily in our itinerary.

Only problem is that my sisters only 19. She's not a big drinker though so she isn't bothered about the legal drinking age. Still it would be nice if she could at least join us in the bars. Does anybody know if it's legal for under 21s to enter a bar and not drink? Does it vary by state? I think I've heard of under 21s going to clubs in New York (but perhaps that person was talking rubbish) but what about Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana?

Thanks

silja

It depends on the state and in some cases, the type of alcohol they serve (some places have lower ages for wine/beer than hard liquor). Here in Arkansas it is 18 to enter, 21 to drink; I believe in other places, you can enter at any age, but of course only drink at 21.

Also, many bars have their own policies in addition to any laws; because the penalties for the bar owner to underage drinking are huge, many bars simply won't allow anyone under 21 into the bar, thus eliminating the need to check ID once inside, andthe danger of an over-age person ordering a drink an then giving it to an underaged person.

onlyrocknroll

silja wrote: »

It depends on the state and in some cases, the type of alcohol they serve (some places have lower ages for wine/beer than hard liquor). Here in Arkansas it is 18 to enter, 21 to drink; I believe in other places, you can enter at any age, but of course only drink at 21.

Also, many bars have their own policies in addition to any laws; because the penalties for the bar owner to underage drinking are huge, many bars simply won't allow anyone under 21 into the bar, thus eliminating the need to check ID once inside, andthe danger of an over-age person ordering a drink an then giving it to an underaged person.

Thanks for that. I had a feeling that it might get a bit complicated.

Holsten

It would really depend on the time of day and what bars.

After 8 there will be door men and you will not get in without valid over 21 ID.

Gandhi

My experience is mostly in the Northeast US, but I am guessing it is similar all over. Basically the bars/restaurants are fined heavily, or have their licenses suspended, for serving underagers, and so they will enforce the law as it makes sense for them.

Unfortunately the Nightlife type bars are the very ones that are strictest about checking ID on the way in. They are usually hopping so they don't want to have the bartenders needing to check ID every single time anyone orders a beer. Nor do they want the one 21-year-old in the group ferrying pints to his 19-year-old buddies hiding in the corner as the bar will get fined heavily for letting that happen.

Some larger live music venues will let in under-agers, but check ID on the way in and give "authorised to drink" wristbands or hand-stamps to everyone who is over 21. The bar is then sometimes in a gated area and you can only get in with a wristband. Or the bar is accessible to anyone but the bartender wants to see your wristband before giving you a pint.

Restaurants that also have a bar (chains like TGI Fridays or Chillis) will let anyone in, and then check ID if you order a beer and look young. However, I doubt you are going all the way to N'Orleans to sit in a TGI Fridays next to an 8-year-old's birthday party.

onlyrocknroll

Gandhi wrote: »

I doubt you are going all the way to N'Orleans to sit in a TGI Fridays next to an 8-year-old's birthday party.

That's exactly what we're planning to do.

Thanks.

Doesn't look too good so I suppose. Hope she likes babysitting in the camper van for my aunts two preteens so.

lil_lisa

Usually a lot of bars that sell food won't have a bouncer on the door until around 9pm or so, if you get in before then she should be fine but won't be able to buy drinks at the bar or through a waitress.

dave2pvd

Gandhi wrote: »

My experience is mostly in the Northeast US, but I am guessing it is similar all over.

No - varies widely. Federal law, state law, county ordinance, city ordinance and finally the bar owner's rules can all apply.

OP: Apparently you have not yet received a response from a poster living in any of those cities (or visited one recently). So really and truly, we're all guessing. Have your sister make a phone call, or send an email to one of the more famous venues in each of those cities. They'll give her the scoop on what she can expect.

onlyrocknroll

dave2pvd wrote: »

No - varies widely. Federal law, state law, county ordinance, city ordinance and finally the bar owner's rules can all apply.

OP: Apparently you have not yet received a response from a poster living in any of those cities (or visited one recently). So really and truly, we're all guessing. Have your sister make a phone call, or send an email to one of the more famous venues in each of those cities. They'll give her the scoop on what she can expect.

Cheers, will do.

InTheTrees

dave2pvd wrote: »

Have your sister make a phone call, or send an email to one of the more famous venues in each of those cities. They'll give her the scoop on what she can expect.

Where ever you're staying would probably know too.

Gandhi

dave2pvd wrote: »

No - varies widely. Federal law, state law, county ordinance, city ordinance and finally the bar owner's rules can all apply.

OP: Apparently you have not yet received a response from a poster living in any of those cities (or visited one recently). So really and truly, we're all guessing. Have your sister make a phone call, or send an email to one of the more famous venues in each of those cities. They'll give her the scoop on what she can expect.

Drinking age is very much uniform. The Federal government decided back in the 80s that they wanted all states to have 21 as the drinking age, so they withheld highway funding from any state that deviated from that. All the states fell in line within a few years. There are a handful of states that still allow you to be under 21 and drink in your own home under parental supervision, but not in a bar.

Other alcohol-related laws vary hugely, but that won't help a 19-year-old get into a bar.

The OP might get lucky and it might turn out that enforcement is lax where he is going. Calling the hotel to check is a pretty good suggestion.

Gandhi

Looks like your sister is in luck. According to this site, lots of bars in NOLA have an 18 to enter, 21 to drink policy.

http://frenchquarter.com/about/FAQ.php

My bad.

LizT

I was in New Orleans about 3 weeks ago, I'm only 20 and I got into a few bars. Just ask the bouncers on the door and if they don't let in under 21's, they will usually point you to a bar that does. Bourbon Street is the best place for bars and the bouncers are usually friendly, but firm. Usually they will put stamps on Under 21s' hands but make sure your sister has ID to prove she is over 18 as some of the people in my group had nothing and were flat out refused entry until they went back to the hotel to get ID.

As a side note, we went to the Cats Miaow on Bourbon Street, had no problem getting in - was just stamped, and had one of the funnest nights ever involing karoke!

I did a trip from NY-LA and New Orleans was definitely the most relaxed about letting in under 21s. Just be aware that if there is a cover charge into a bar it will usally be more for Under 21s because they know they won't get the revenue from alcohol.

If you do one thing in NO, please please go to Mother's and have a Po boy -it's basically just a huge sandwich, but it was absolutely amazing!! Google it

lonestargirl

Texas is interesting, you have to be 21 to even enter a liquor store - in fact my local one requires ID to buy anything, seeing as they have a large food setion it is odd to need a driver's licence for cheese! Austin is a college town so I imagine they are quite strict with so many students around but I would think you would be ok in a music venue of there is a group of you with a wide-age span. Having said that it is technically legal in Texas for an 18-21 to consume (not purchase) alcohol provided they are in the company of their 'parent, guardian or spouse (this is Texas after all ).

Black Swan

A poster on this thread shared experiences of getting served and avoiding the 21 minimum drinking age laws in USA. Please read the forum charter before posting again. I'm going to leave this thread open for now, and pretend this didn't happen.

LizT

OP, feel free to PM me if you need a recommendation of restaurants and cafes in NO, we found some amazing places!

eire-kp

They are very strict all over the states. I travelled all over working and even in tiny little towns with populations of less than 100 in the middle of north dakota it was rare to find a pub that didnt ask for id!

Overheal

There are only 2 words worth speaking in a bar: Samuel. Adams.

But any craft beer is usually very good. Nobody drinks the budweiser (at least that i associate myself with!)