Can minors eat at a bar in California?
Asked by: Cornell O'Connell | Last update: October 10, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (64 votes)
The law is the same throughout the state. Minors can be present in restaurants where both food and alcohol are served (license type 47) but not permitted to sit at a proper bar or night club (license type 48).
Can minors sit at the bar in CA?
Generally, no. Section 25665 of the California Business and Professions Code states that “minors are not allowed to enter or remain within a bar.”
Can kids go to 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 you bring your kids to the bar?
In the United States, can an underage person sit at a table with adults at a restaurant or bar? Children and minors are allowed into restaurants that serve liquor, and if there's a wait can usually stand in the bar area with an adult. However, stand-alone bars do not allow anyone under 21 in the building at all.
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 Minors Serve Alcohol and Work in Businesses That Sell Alcohol?
Can you go clubbing at 18 in California?
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 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.
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 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.
Can a baby come to a bar?
Spots such as breweries and gastropubs are great options for drinking with babies, as are most bars with a big outdoor space. Note that in some states, it's illegal to bring a baby (or anyone underage) into a bar unless they also serve food, so check online to make sure there's a menu before you plan an outing.
Can you drink at midnight 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".
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 you give away free alcohol in California?
Section 25600 - [Effective 1/1/2025] Premium, gift, or free goods in connection with sale or distribution of alcoholic beverage (a) (1) No licensee shall, directly or indirectly, give any premium, gift, or free goods in connection with the sale or distribution of any alcoholic beverage, except as provided by rules that ...
Can minors sit at a bar 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 you carded for bitters?
So, if bitters are typically so high in alcohol, then why don't you have to show ID to buy it? Good question. They are actually defined as a non-potable, “non-beverage” product due to their high concentration.
Can you drink bitters if you're sober?
Whether you're sober, sober curious, or simply a fan of unique flavors, non-alcoholic bitters are a versatile and delicious addition to any beverage.
Can passengers drink alcohol in a car in California?
To some extent, California allows passengers to consume alcohol in a vehicle. However, this only applies if the car is parked or riding on a private space or road. A driver can face severe charges for allowing passengers to drink alcohol in public, including on public roads and parking spaces.
Can minors drink non-alcoholic beer in California?
Formally there are no laws regulating the sale of non-alcohol brew or non-alcohol wine to minors. However, California authorities strongly recommend establishments not make those sales. The beverage is not considered to be an alcoholic beverage if it contains less than one-half of 1% alcohol by volume.
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.
What is the lowest drinking age in the world?
At 13, Burkina Faso is the country with the youngest age of alcohol consumption.
Can minors drink in a restaurant with parents?
In 29 states, someone under 21 may drink with their parent's permission if it's in a private residence or on private property. Six states allow someone under 21 to drink on private property without their parent's consent. Eight states allow underage people to drink with a parent's consent in public restaurants or bars.
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.
Can 18 year olds go to bars in LA?
Any person under the age of 21 years who enters and remains in the licensed public premises without lawful business therein is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200), no part of which shall be suspended.
Is La Cita Bar 18+?
𝐁𝐚𝐫, 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐓𝐋𝐀 🎶🎉 | 336 S. Hill Street | 21+ | #LaCitaStrong | Open 7 days/week.
Is time nightclub strict?
Time Nightclub strictly adheres to the regulations put forth by the California Alcohol Beverage Control regarding entrance into nightclubs. You must be at least 21 years old to come to Time Nightclub. Everyone must show valid identification. Failure to produce identification may result in refusal of entry.