Alcohol, young people under 18 and the law

You, Your child and alcoholThere are strict laws on alcohol consumption in Northern Ireland. You should check that you are not breaking the law by allowing your child to drink.

Under 14s

Anyone under the age of 14 may only consume alcohol in a private house and only for medical purposes under the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968.

Under 18 years old

Anyone under the age of 18 is not allowed in any area of licensed premises, including clubs, that contains a bar or area used for drinking alcohol during opening hours under the The Licensing and Clubs Orders.

This rule applies mainly to pubs and off-licences. However, some places hold a children’s certificate that allows a young person accompanied by an adult to be in the premises up to 9pm. The young person is not allowed to be at the bar counter.

A young person under 18 is allowed to be in:

  • An off licence, if they are accompanied by an adult
  • A refreshment room at railway station, airport, harbour terminal or bus station
  • A sporting club, until 9pm.

Buying or consuming alcohol

Anyone under 18 is not allowed to purchase alcohol or consume alcohol in an place other than a private house under the Licensing (NI) Order, 1996.

It is an offence for a person to:

  • Purchase alcohol for a person under 18 in any place or premises except a private house
  • Send a young person under 18 to obtain alcohol from a licensed premises.

It is an offence for a licence holder to:

  • Sell alcohol to a person under 18 for consumption on or off the premises
  • Sell alcohol to any person for consumption by a person under 18 either on or off the premises
  • Permit a young person under 18 to consume alcohol in licensed premises.

Towns and cities may also have local bye-laws banning drinking alcohol in public.

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