Can 16 year olds go in bars in New York?

Asked by: Winifred Effertz  |  Last update: August 18, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (43 votes)

MINORS ALLOWED ON PREMISE? It is unlawful to serve or sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Minors under the age of 16 are not permitted in establishments that serve alcohol unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Is it illegal for kids to sit at a bar in NY?

Is it legal in New York for children to sit and eat at the bar? A. Yes. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Law does not prohibit a child's sitting at a bar as long as the child is accompanied by an adult, said Bill Crowley, a spokesman for the New York State Liquor Authority.

Are New York bars strict?

NYC restaurants are imposing strict bar rules — and customers are pissed. It's a total vibe killer. Walking into a NYC restaurant and snagging a seat at the bar has long been a classic move, but, across the city, establishments are instituting new policies around bar seating, from reservations to formal wait lists.

Can you drink under 21 with a parent in New York at a restaurant?

Persons under 21 are prohibited from purchasing alcohol or possessing alcohol with the intent to consume, unless the alcohol was given to that person by their parent or legal guardian. There is no law prohibiting persons under the age of 21 consuming alcohol that was given to them by their parent or legal guardian.

How old do you have to be to drink alcohol in New York?

What Is the Legal Drinking Age in New York? The legal age to consume alcohol in New York is 21.

What It’s Like To Be A 16-Year-Old In New York Today | i-D

25 related questions found

How old do you have to be to go into a bar in New York?

Restaurants and bars

Anyone can enter a restaurant in New York. Luxury restaurants, such as in the Meatpacking District, only allow people aged 21 and over in after 21:00. As alcohol is served in bars, people under 21 are often not allowed to enter regardless of the time of day.

What states allow minors to drink with parents?

With the exception of five states (Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, New Hampshire, and West Virginia), all states and Washington, D.C., allow underage consumption of alcohol under limited circumstances, such as in the presence of parents, for religious or medical purposes, or while in a class that requires tasting.

What happens if you get caught drinking under 21 in New York?

In general, it is illegal for individuals in New York state who are under the age of 21 to possess alcohol with the intent to consume the alcohol. Individuals accused of underage drinking may face penalties including a fine, drug and alcohol education and mandatory community service work.

What is the lowest drinking age in the world?

At 13, Burkina Faso is the country with the youngest age of alcohol consumption.

Do you have to ID everyone buying alcohol in NY?

The Authority strongly encourages licensees to ask for proof of age. Requiring customers to produce valid photo identification, together with verifying that the person providing you with the identification is the same person shown on the identification, will help you avoid violations.

Do bars in New York check ID?

Valid ID: Why It Matters

It doesn't matter if it's a restaurant, a bar, or a club. If one plans on drinking in NYC one should always carry valid government identification (no copies, and student ID doesn't count either). ID laws are very strict here.

Can you wear sneakers to bars in NYC?

Casual Attire: Certain bars and clubs in NYC adopt a more relaxed approach to dress codes, allowing patrons to dress casually. This typically includes jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, and other comfortable yet presentable attire.

What are the bar laws in New York City?

Sale of Alcoholic Beverages

Off-premises (liquor store or retailer) liquor and wine sales are prohibited between midnight and 8 AM, and Sundays between 10 PM and 10 AM. On-premises (bar or lounge) sales are prohibited on weekdays between 4 AM and 8 AM, and Sundays between 4 AM and 10 AM.

Can minors sit at a bar in NJ?

It is technically legal in New Jersey for a minor to enter a bar or any other place that sells alcohol. However, the establishment may not offer or serve or make alcohol available to the minor. This may be difficult to enforce somewhere like a bar where a lot of alcoholic beverages are served.

How old do you have to be to sit at a bar in Michigan?

The Michigan Penal Code (Act 328 of 1931) addresses this issue in 750.141 where it states (A) minor child under 17 years of age shall not be permitted to remain in a dance hall, saloon, barroom or any place where spirituous or intoxicating liquor, wine or beer, or any beverage, liquor or liquors containing spirituous ...

How old do you have to be to sit at a bar in Ohio?

(I) No person who is the owner or occupant of any public or private place shall knowingly allow any person under the age of twenty-one to remain in or on the place while possessing or consuming intoxicating liquor, or knowingly allow any person under the age of nineteen to remain in or on the place while possessing or ...

What country lets you drink at 15?

In fact, 64 percent of the world's nations have legal drinking ages of 18. The youngest legal drinking age in the world is 15, with both Mali and the Central African Republic allowing folks to drink at that time.

What is the youngest age of consent in the world?

The lowest age of consent is in Nigeria (11), followed by the Philippines and Angola (12). The age of consent is 13 in three countries – Niger, Comoros, and Burkina Faso. The countries where the age of consent is 14 include a number of South American countries: Brazil, Columbia, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

What country drinks the most alcohol?

Romania tops the list of countries with the highest alcohol consumption per person, with Georgia, Czechia, Latvia, and Germany rounding out the top five. This is according to the global estimates made available by the World Health Organization (WHO), the latest data referring to 2019.

Can minors drink with parents at restaurants in New York?

It is unlawful to serve or sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Minors under the age of 16 are not permitted in establishments that serve alcohol unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. CAN PARENTS SERVE? No, it is illegal for any parent or guardian to serve a minor on a licensed premise.

Which part of the body absorbs the most alcohol?

You absorb 20 per cent of alcohol into your bloodstream through your stomach and the rest into your bloodstream through your small intestine. Drinking a small amount of alcohol stimulates your appetite because it increases the flow of stomach juices.

Can you get in trouble for telling your doctor you drink under 21?

Doctors are not out to get people arrested and they do have laws for patient confidentiality, but underage drinking is illegal. He can't even disclose your medical records to legal authorities without them submitting a court order.

What is the legal drinking age in Canada?

A Brief History of MLDA Changes in Canada

increased their legal drinking age from 18 to 19 years; since this time there have been no further changes to the MLDA in Canada. Currently, the MLDA is 18 years of age in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 years in the rest of the Canadian provinces and territories.

Can minors sit at a bar in Texas?

Yes, as long as the bar allows children to be on their premises (some don't). Texas is also weird in that those under the age of 21 are allowed to drink at the bar as long as their legal guardian (most often a parent) is present and consents to it.

What was the drinking age in 1970?

History of the MLDA

Following the repeal of Prohibition, nearly all State laws restricting youth access to alcohol designated 21 as the minimum age for purchasing and consuming alcohol (Mosher 1980). Between 1970 and 1975, however, 29 States lowered the MLDA to age 18, 19, or 20.