Can teens sit at the bar?

[MaleficentRN]

Can my 18 year old, who will not be drinking anything stronger than water, sit at the bar at Cove and Trader Sam's?

 

[sweethannah]

I don't think so no.

 

[figment_jii]

At the Cove Bar, they will not allow guests under 21 to be seated at the bar. They ask when you check in if there is anyone under 21 in your group so they can seat you at a table if there is anyone under age in your party.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Thank you. I guess that's basically a law in every state.

 

[felice]

I guess they have to be so careful in the US these days, with the drinking law being at age 21. Within Europe things are a bit more relaxed once people get to the age of 18.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you. I guess that's basically a law in every state.

Not in FL. Kids are at the bar at places at Wdw. And a friend of mine says it’s the same in Wisconsin.

Every state’s blue laws are different, though all states have the same drinking age.

Fun fact, PR’s drinking age is 18. My son has requested a cruise out of San Juan for his 18th bday lol. Then I reminded him that Europe exists and he’s conflicted.

 

[disneychrista]

It would depend on what type of license the establishment has. I manage a brewery Ale House and minors are allowed to sit at the bar, per the California ABC, because our license is "pink" and "green" license would not allow for minors.

 

[Indiana Scott]

At the Cove bar, no they can't but they can sit 3' away at a table...

 

[Malcon10t]

Can my 18 year old, who will not be drinking anything stronger than water, sit at the bar at Cove and Trader Sam's?

No, state laws prohibit it. But they can sit at a family table. I see people making a stink sometimes, but if a bar allows it and gets caught, they can face a hefty fine and/or lose their liquor license.

 

[longboard55]

I think the general rule is if the bar serves food they can sit at the bar, but Disney has every right to be more rigid

 

[Malcon10t]

I think the general rule is if the bar serves food they can sit at the bar, but Disney has every right to be more rigid

In California, we were told if the location serves food, minors may be in the bar. But restaurants we have visited, minors could not sit AT the bar. Nearby tables, yes, at the bar, no. If the location doesn't serve "meals", a minor isn't allowed to enter.

 

[disneychrista]

In California, we were told if the location serves food, minors may be in the bar. But restaurants we have visited, minors could not sit AT the bar. Nearby tables, yes, at the bar, no. If the location doesn't serve "meals", a minor isn't allowed to enter.

It is not just "serves food" they have to be what is considered a bona fide eating establishment (more than 50% of their receipts are from food) to allow minors. As I said above you can tell by the color of their alcohol permit if minors are allowed.

The no minor at the bar thing is more of a house rule than California law.

 

[Malcon10t]

It is not just "serves food" they have to be what is considered a bona fide eating establishment (more than 50% of their receipts are from food) to allow minors. As I said above you can tell by the color of their alcohol permit if minors are allowed.

The no minor at the bar thing is more of a house rule than California law.

Good to know, I know most of the chain restaurants in our area state it is law. (Olive Garden, Outback, Tahoe Joe's, Uno's)

 

[mfleeting]

Not in FL. Kids are at the bar at places at Wdw. And a friend of mine says it’s the same in Wisconsin.

Every state’s blue laws are different, though all states have the same drinking age.

Fun fact, PR’s drinking age is 18. My son has requested a cruise out of San Juan for his 18th bday lol. Then I reminded him that Europe exists and he’s conflicted.

In Texas you can actually drink at 18 if your in the company of your parents or spouse. A lot of restaurants/bars still don’t allow it but still popular to do in military towns.

 

[Malcon10t]

In Texas you can actually drink at 18 if your in the company of your parents or spouse. A lot of restaurants/bars still don’t allow it but still popular to do in military towns.

Actually, the law reads "parents accept responsibility for the safety of minors under 18 when the minor is on their property or on property leased by them and under their care, custody, and control" so they can't give them a drink in a restaurant, but can in their home or personal business while in their supervision. Add to that, they cannot provide their friends alcohol.

 

[mfleeting]

Acctually law states they can go to a bar/restaurant with proper documentation and drink with their parents/spouse present and under their supervision. Now many places no longer will serve them (10 years ago most places did serve them with no problems) but in military towns some places still do especially around basic graduation time.

I use to live in Oklahoma and thought it was crazy when we would get families in from Texas and would deny their kids to drink. When I moved to Texas and getting my TABC when I was a server this was something we had to know (which yes was about 5-6 years ago). But I have a friend who bartends as a part time job and her place still allows it.

 

[bcla]

It is not just "serves food" they have to be what is considered a bona fide eating establishment (more than 50% of their receipts are from food) to allow minors. As I said above you can tell by the color of their alcohol permit if minors are allowed.

The no minor at the bar thing is more of a house rule than California law.

I've taken my kid (currently 7) to several bar seating areas in such restaurants. And it had to be in the bar area to take advantage of happy hour specials. The house rule was almost always no minors at the bar where a bartender would be taking orders. It was really odd too one time. It was really crowded and bar seats were at a premium for happy hour. However, we couldn't order food (could order beverages) until one person in our party was seated. So my wife finally got a seat at the bar while I carried our four year old standing right behind her.