h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Actually, it's illegal for landlords to sell minors drinks to drink. Or to let them drink them. I don't think underage drinkers can be prosecuted, but don't quote me on that.

Also, it's legal for over 16s (mebbe 14s, but I think 16s) to drink with a meal in a pub, if accompanied. (That one, I am sure about).

Under 18s are not allowed to buy alcohol, but it's only illegal to drink it under 5. I think we all know what the footnote means though, no drinking under 18 at the meet up!

Whoa... deja vu...



...as I posted that, your name sprung into my head under what would probably be vaguely called the areawhichassociatesideaandpeoplewiththecurrentsensoryinputtomybrainandtheideaswhichit'scurrentlyprocessing
whichhascausedthemtobecreatedbymeansofmattermanipulationvianervousimplementationoflimbsandotherlocomotoryorgans lobe.

No, seriously!

That's really weird.

If you want me to be able to read that, can you repost with spaces?

Njan you are right in that from the age of 14 you can drink with a meal. HOwever the reason the page is phrased thus is that a) this is a private party and b)on top of legal requirements publicans can set their own rules.

Thus it has been decided that the evening event will have a minimum age of 14, and despite the fact there will be food no one under the age of 18 can drink.

Does that clarify it?

Yeah, sorry Mina, that was quite incomprehensible.

Yeah, ok, Abi. I wasn't really actually being argumentative somuchas contentious, because I'm (almost certainly) not coming.

Nooooo!

Why not?

I think I know what Njan meant, Miss de Mina.
I sometimes think of a name from h2g2 then log on & find they've posted in my journal or answered a question,

Aww, soz Abi.

Because I've spent all my money going to Cheltenham.

And because I have nowhere to stay.

And because I don't know most of the people there.

You mean you actually want me to go after having met me!?

If it makes any difference Njan, I haven't met any of our fellow Researchers in RL ... so you'd be one click up on me ...

mmm.. true.

But everyone has to have a first time... three meets ago it was mine, and I was terribly excited, and I was totally shocked when Abi recognised me straight away at my second meet...

Not as shocked as I was!

The Oxford meet was good. The sort of nervous notsayinganything hopingwe'reintherightplace congregation in Oxford station that took place was really rather funny. ...or maybe it was just me.

I did that in Hyde Park for my first meet...

Abi, was that because I'd grown so much? I have to admit I was looking for some taller people than the ones I actually found, thus why I almost walked straight past you, and if I hadn't heard

"MaW!"

echoing across the platform I'd have wandered around for hours...

oooh! I've just worked out I'm going to be in London anyway on the 25th.. it seems a pity not to stay overnight until the 26th, right? Hmm...


...the meet becomes a more likely prospect...

Woohoo!!!

Nitpick on Alcohol...

The lowest age to legally drink alcohol in a licensed establishement in the UK is 4. YES 4!

The thing is though, that the landlord has the full right of discretion in their pub. If the landlord doesn't want to serve you, you have to give a damn good reason why they should, rather than why they shouldn't.

If a landlord says no under 18s, then they are perfectly within their rights to do that, they could well say no under 40s. They wouldn't make anywhere near as much money, but they are legally entitled to.

5 at home with permission of parents (excluding spirits)
14 at a pub whem accompanied with a meal
18 to buy and drink self in licensed public house