Pubs and alcohol in the UK: age limits, children, and what the venue must provide

A British pub runs on rules that are not obvious to a newcomer: who may come in with children, who may be served, why one place seats a teenager with their parents and another turns them away at the door. Here is what the law actually says — and what rights you have as a customer.

What age can you drink and buy alcohol?

Under 18s cannot be sold alcohol, cannot buy it and cannot try to buy it. They also cannot drink alcohol in licensed premises such as pubs and restaurants. Police can stop, fine or arrest anyone under 18 drinking alcohol in public.

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Adults, in turn, cannot buy or try to buy alcohol for under 18s. Giving alcohol to a child under five is illegal.

Is it true that a 16 year old can drink in a restaurant?

Partly. There is an exception for 16 and 17 year olds: accompanied by an adult, they may drink beer, wine or cider — but only with a meal. They cannot buy it themselves; the accompanying adult does. Spirits are not covered by the exception.

Can a 16 year old work serving alcohol?

Yes. Sixteen and seventeen year olds may serve alcohol in a restaurant if the licence holder or bar manager approves. In some areas a restriction applies: sales only in sealed containers.

Can you bring a child into a pub?

Children aged 16 or under may enter a pub or similar premises if an adult is with them. But the premises decide: it depends on the conditions of their licence. That is why one pub seats you with a child and the next politely declines — and both are within the rules.

Who is allowed to sell alcohol at all?

Licences come from the local council, and the distinctions are worth knowing.

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A premises licence covers the venue itself and is needed by anyone selling alcohol on a permanent basis. A personal licence belongs to an individual: 18 or over, in almost all cases with an accredited qualification, and with a disclosure of convictions which the council considers. Anyone selling alcohol without a personal licence must be authorised by someone who holds one.

The designated premises supervisor has day-to-day responsibility. They must hold a personal licence, be named on the premises licence and be contactable at all times as the main point of contact for council and police. A business has only one, though one person can cover several businesses.

A temporary event notice covers a one-off event: fewer than 500 people and no longer than 168 hours.

What rights does a customer have?

These are mandatory licence conditions and hardly anyone knows them. The premises must provide free drinking water. It must have an age verification policy. It must offer drinks in smaller measures — so you may ask for a smaller serving. Irresponsible promotions are banned, as is selling alcohol below the cost of duty plus VAT.

How late do pubs serve?

There are no national hours: the times are set in each venue's own licence. Late night refreshment — hot food and drink sold between 11pm and 5am — is regulated separately. And a council can impose an early morning restriction order banning alcohol sales for a period between midnight and 6am in all or part of its area.

Checked against GOV.UK on 27 October 2026. These rules apply in England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland license alcohol separately.