Could I legally drink in england? Could I go to clubs if I wasn't drinking>?

Question

I'm from the US and I'll be spending one month of the summer studying at Oxford University. I'm 16 yrs old

--Also-how much would a really cheap lunch cost me in a pub? I don't have much money and I'm trying to budget-

Answer 1

You cant buy alcohol until youre 18, and you cant go to clubs until that age either. Although, at the age of 16 you can legally order a beer or a glass of wine in a restaurant/ pub if youre eating there, as long as they dont have a no children policy and as long as youre with someone over the age of eighteen.

Try going to clubs anyway, most us brits do from the age of 15/16 anyway, and you rarely get asked for ID!!! Especially if youre going to student pubs/clubs!

Food in pubs is reasonably priced, usually between £4 and £9 depending what you have, though most pubs have special offers during the week, 2 for 1 meal deals etc

Have a great time in England!!

Answer 2

The national pub branch 'Weatherspoons' serves the cheapest food.

You can get a decent meal such as chips and scampi for less than £5 and they have a very wide choice. They also have theme evenings. For example, Thursday night is curry night where you can buy a rice and curry (again a wide range) for £5 which includes a pint of beer or lager. An absolute bargain.

As for drinking ages within the UK. You have to be 18 to consume alcohol in pubs. However, if you are eating a meal then you only have to be 16. Anyway, if you look oldish for your age then nobody will know that your under 18 so don't worry too much about it. If you're studying at university during the summer then it will be assumed, certainly by bars on campus, that you are a student and therefore over 18.

Answer 3

You can legally drink on private premises, but you cannot buy alcohol legally in bars, pubs etc under 18. So if there's a party at your college you can drink legally -- of course your Uni may have rules.

There is an exception for 16 year olds drinking beer or cider with a meal with adults who make the purchase, however that needs the agreement of the pub owner.

If you look over 18 you are unlikelyto have any problems in normal pubs, but clubby like places frequented by young people may well ask for ID

Answer 4

You would need to look 18 to get into a club without ID - they are always checking people at the door so you have to decide whether to take the risk, if you look 18 it shouldnt be a problem but if caught you will be asked to leave. Pub lunches are reasonable in some places, basically everything is so much more expensive in UK especially eating out. You can get nice ready made sandwiches in BOOTS its a pharmacy believe it or not. Best thing you can do is this - the Bakeries over there are not bad, you can get nice pies, pasties, ready made rolls with nice fillings - or buy your own rolls, butter and ham from the supermarket and make your own, much cheaper. The supermarkets over there like Tesco, Sainsburys etc all have nice yummy food ready to go so give them a try to save money.

Answer 5

You should have come 10 years ago.. would have been easier.


You will probably have no problems getting served in a pub.


Clubs are harder.


Your best bet are the rock/metal/goth type clubs.

As these used to be easy going 16-18...

Clubs like the Camden Palace 'feet first' night

Which is now Club Koko in Camden... dont fancy your chances but could try.


or The dome on Looney tunes night now 'Rockscene night'

at Tufnel Park next to the Tube station.




or events like synergy

www.thesynergyproject.org

or whirlygig

http://www.whirl-y-gig.org.uk/

(however you will need your parents here and no drinking)



My advise is to ask around Camden markets with people 17 ish the alternative types ie rock, hippy, rave, goth etc.

Police used to turn a blind eye as there was no trouble...

Now theres been tougher rules mainly as the main stream chav types used to drink to much and cause trouble so now the alternative clubs which used to have no trouble got caught up.


Keep an eye on www.accessallareas.org ...


you may get all age events.

Cheap lunch in a pub be about £4 - 6

Try your luck... a good trick would be to lightly alter 1991 to 1989 in light pencil on your passport or get fake ids in uni...with the equipment.


Best advise would be make sure your sober before you go in, dont be nervous, be confident and if challenged dont get scared... act and have your mates act like this happens a lot as you are a short ***.

Memorise the year you were born, star sign, and what you are studying in uni.

Ideally go in with uni mates who can take the micky if you get challenged. Whilst you get out various IDs.


As for budgeting...


Markets for food.


Make things like curries, stews etc in bulk for a few days that you can water down.

When go out clubbing avoid taxis and only get one drink. Go early to try and get in clubs... thats another good tip.

When going early they want people in the club.

Later can get more fussy.

Camden is the centre of alternative scenes.

The more dress codey and 'normal' a place is the more likely trouble.


The more alternative usually the safer it is.


Plus goth = more makeup

Answer 6

You can legally drink but not in a bar etc.. you can consume alcohol inside your place of residence if someone else purchased it for you but by law you can't buy it. You have to be 18 to purchase it & to drink it in licensed premises. You might have difficulty getting into most clubs even if you weren't drinking since a lot you have to be 18 to get in after 8pm.
A pub lunch varies -esp. in the South of England,but usually a meal for 1 person costs between £6-£20 depending where you go and what you order.

Answer 7

There is a lot of under age drinking in the UK. But don't feel you have to indulge, particularly if your unused to alcohol. There are lots of cool non-alcoholic drinks eg H2O (fruit flavoured) and Appletize. As above Wetherspoons is a good pub-food chain, £3.99 for burger and drink, 2 for 1 deals etc. If all you want is a plate of fries (chips) or wedges you can get away with £1.50.

Lots of people who go to clubs drink nothing but water so no one will object if you go non-alcoholic. Getting in is another matter, so you might want to look out for young peoples club nights 14-18 years old.

Answer 8

You can drink in restaurants at 16 years old i.e a glass of wine with your meal, you can't drink in a pub till your 18. Lunch is pretty cheap at about a fiver, well we class this as cheap but it is probably expensive to someone from the States as you guys don't pay as much tax as us, enjoi your stay. Your friends you will no doubt meet will keep you up to date.

Answer 9

no you have to be 18 years old and i live in oxford and pub lunch would cost anything from £5

Answer 10

you can drink if you're eating a meal (or if you get hold of some alcohol and hang around the street at night but wouldn't recommend that) i think - don't think you'd get served in a pub unless you look older than you are.

at wetherspoons pubs you can get a burger (with chips) and beer (or wine or g&t or non - alcoholic drink) for £3.99 x

eta. must be 17 then - sorry! put makeup on and look a bit older!