Can kids eat in a bar in California?
Asked by: Mathias Russel DVM | Last update: December 22, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (44 votes)
Minors Sitting at the Bar In general, California law does not explicitly prohibit minors from sitting at a bar in a restaurant. However, the establishment must be classified as a “bona fide public eating place,” meaning it must primarily function as a restaurant where meals are regularly served and consumed.
Can a kid sit at the bar in California?
Generally, no. Section 25665 of the California Business and Professions Code states that “minors are not allowed to enter or remain within a bar.”
How old do you have to be to sit at a bar in the US?
A bar is defined “as an establishment that derives 75% or more of its revenue from alcohol sales.” Bars only admit patrons that are 21 and older.
Do bars allow 18+?
While the legal age to consume alcohol is 21, no law enforces that customers 21+ must be allowed entry into establishments that serve alcohol. In reality, bars can lower their age of entry to 18+, though those under 21 who enter are not allowed to purchase or consume alcohol.
Can a bar back be under 21?
Bars that I have worked at have definitely hired 18-20 year olds as barbacks (they had to turn 21 before they became bartenders since the job requires a lot of tasting). It can't hurt to apply.
Can kids eat protein bars?
Can you sit at a bar under 21 in California?
Minors Sitting at the Bar
No Service of Alcohol to Minors: It is illegal to serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. This remains strictly enforced regardless of where the minor is seated. Parental Supervision: Minors are typically allowed to sit at the bar if they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Are babies allowed in bars in California?
Section 25665 of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control statute states that minors are not allowed to enter or remain within a bar. Persons under 21 years of age may not enter and remain in any premises with a green-colored ABC license except on lawful business.
Can minors drink with parents in California?
In California, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol. This includes beer, wine, and spirits. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, minors may be allowed to drink alcohol if they are with their parents or legal guardians.
Are children allowed in pubs in South Africa?
Legally, a child becomes an adult on his/her 18th birthday. Also legally, a pub, bar, or even a restaurant is entitled to make their own policy in relation to WHO they allow into the premises. Restaurants obviously allow children into the premises because they are eating there, but will refuse to serve them alcohol.
Can you go clubbing in LA at 18?
While club goers over the age of 21 have access to all the nightlife that L.A. has to offer, the 18 and up crowd is limited: most L.A. hotspots only admit 21 and older. This does not, however, precludes underage revelers from living it up in the city that is distinctly synonymous with the Hollywood lifestyle.
Can kids sit at the bar in NYC?
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.
Can minors sit at a bar in Arizona?
If primary purpose is not to consume: Minors are permitted in an establishment so long as they are with a parent, legal guardian or spouse who is at least 21. CAN PARENT SERVE? Minors are not allowed to consume alcohol in the presence of their parents or legal guardian either on or off a licensed premise.
What is the minimum age for clubbing in USA?
Before we plunge into explicit nightlife objections, we should emphasize the critical point: the legitimate savoring age the USA is 21. This age limit applies while buying and polishing off cocktails, including at bars and clubs.
Can kids sit at the bar in Texas?
It is not illegal for an 18 year old to sit at a bar in Texas if the bar allows it. However, alcohol sales are illegal and Texas bars may freely prohibit minors as company policy.
What are the alcohol laws in California?
What are the lawful hours for retail sale of alcoholic beverages? From 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. of the following day. In other words, it is unlawful to sell alcoholic beverages either by the drink or by the package, between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. of the same day.
Can anyone sit for the California bar?
Eligibility. To be eligible to take the California Bar Examination, you should have completed at least two years of college before beginning your law studies or passed certain specified College Level Equivalency Program examinations.
Can I take my son to the pub?
Many places where alcohol is sold, such as supermarkets, are undesignated areas; usually, pubs and bars are not. You can be in an undesignated area at any age, without having an adult with you.
Is it legal to drink with your parents in South Africa?
It is against the law for young people under 18 to drink alcohol at a home. However, the law says it can be OK where the young person is given the alcohol by a parent or caregiver, or by another adult with parental consent, and there is responsible supervision.
Are kids allowed in pubs in Canada?
Under the current rules, children are not permitted within licensed bars or restaurants past 10 p.m. The new regulations will allow minors in licensed establishments until 2 a.m., as long as they are eating and accompanied by a parent or guardian.
What country has the lowest drinking age?
At 13, Burkina Faso is the country with the youngest age of alcohol consumption. Burkina Faso, a West African country with a population of 20.9 million (2020), has an area that spans about 170,255 miles.
Can you drink alcohol on your lunch break in California?
(4) He or she uses or consumes alcohol during a lunch or rest period or similar break period after prior warning or notice of an employer rule that use or consumption of alcohol during such break periods will result in discharge.
What does ABC mean in alcohol?
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is an agency of the government of the state of California charged with regulation of alcoholic beverages.
Can you buy alcohol on your 21st birthday in California?
Stores and bars may legally serve you alcohol at 12:01am on your 21st birthday. As a matter of policy, some will refuse until the next "day".
What does it mean to pass the baby bar in California?
You likely know that becoming a lawyer requires passing the bar exam—but in California, some law students also need to pass a test known as the “baby bar.” This exam is officially called the First-Year Law Students' Examination (FYLSE or FYLSX).
Can minors buy bitters?
Bitters are technically alcoholic, and they're usually between 35% to 45% ABV. Because they're sold in such small bottles and their flavor is so strong, most recipes call for just a dash or a few drops, making its overall alcohol contribution negligible, and why you don't need to be 21 or older to buy them.