Can Americans drink in Canada?

Question

I cant find answers to this question anywhere! The legal age in Canada to drink is 19, but here in America its 21. Me and my friends were vacationing in Cananda, but all of us are under the age of 21, we all are either 19 or 20. Will they serve us alcohol there?! I keep reading that u have to have a Canadian passport or have Canadian Indentification in order to buy alcohol there. Can someone help me out?

Im sorry, I meant to say were be going to be vacationing there!

Answer 1

Germanda is incorrect. Nowhere in Canada is the legal age of majority 21. It does range between 18 - 19 though., depending on the province. If you have valid photo ID,issued by your state or federal government, you can use that. No you won't need any Canadian issued ID. If you made it across the border, use the ID you presented at Canada Customs, you won't have an issue It was good enough to get you in the country, it will be good enough to pound down a few Molson's. Have a DD though, our Drinking and driving penalties, especially in Ontario, are pretty stiff. You won't get off lightly because you're going back home to your country of origin.

Answer 2

Check to see what the legal drinking age is in the province you want to visit. Each province has a different legal age ranging from 18 to 21.

Most Canadian drinking establishments accept the american dollar (unless the american dollar is worth less than the Canadian dollar), but don't expect them to give you an exchange rate...after all bars are not banks. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT...don't mention your american (unless your accent is so ridiculous you can't miss your american) and if you say your american - tip very well or get shitty service (or no service) the rest of the night.

**Sorry it's been 10 years since I lived in Canada...didn't know the Provincial Governments got thier S*** together

Answer 3

I know for a fact that students in upstate New York drive to Montreal on weekends to drink legally.

A funny detail, which is probably not true: my son had told me (I couldn't check) that it's illegal to return back to the U.S. while you're still intoxicated (even if you are not driving), so you have to wait in Canada until you're sober. Again, this might not be true. Similar would apply if you fly a non-U.S. airline from Canada or Europe - you can drink on board, but you can't leave the plane while drunk. Bizarre...

Answer 4

hee hee, of course you can drink in Canada. U.S. laws don't apply in other countries ... state laws even less so.

you need ID, but a driver's licence with photo is generally good.

The age varies. Ontario is 19. Quebec and Alberta are 18 the last I checked.

Answer 5

ya im american and 19 too. I've been out here for the summer and as long as you have a government ID from the US, whether its ur State ID or your passport (although i dont suggest taking ur passport to go drink cuz u might lose it) then your fine. It's great :).

Answer 6

Remember, Canadian beer is stronger than that American water, so if you have had a few illegals stateside, be advised the effect will kick in sooner in Canada.

Answer 7

I am 98% positive you can because my 19 year old friends from the do it all the time and we live in the US.

Answer 8

yeah. wait, you're done with the vacation and you still didn't get to drink anything? or you're still on vacation now? either way, yes you can drink. if nothing else, i'm sure someone will get a drink for you.

Answer 9

here in alberta the age is still 18yrs. Not sure where you are getting 19 from.

Answer 10

As long as you have proper government issued photo ID it wont be a problem.

Here's your drinking ages by Province:

http://www.ccsa.ca/CCSA/EN/Topics/Legislation/LegalDrinkingAgeByProvCan.htm