Bar Laws

[Nikki_S_Rigg]

Can a 17 yeaar old work behind a bar if supervised while serving alcohol

[wendilla]

In uk you have to be 18 unless you are registered apprenticed.Then you only have to be 16. So at 14 you would either have to be a waiter and have someone else deliver your order of drinks to the table.Still good training when you come of age.Not quite sure but in USA I think the age is 21.

[Nikki_S_Rigg]

Thank you for your answer.

[kempie]

Unfortunately, the answer supplied by wendilla is incorrect inasmuch as it is out of date. The Licensing Act 1964 prohibited anyone aged under 18 from working in a bar while it was open for the sale or consumption of alcohol. Section 170 of that Act was amended in 1997 to allow 16 and 17 year-olds to work in bars if they were employed on a training scheme approved by the Secretary of State.

This has been superceded by The Licensing Act 2003
which offers no minimum age - Section 153 states that under 18s can serve alcohol on licensed premises under the supervision of (i.e. each sale/supply specifically approved by) a "responsible person". This approval is not required when serving alcohol in conjunction with table meals.

However, children below the minimum school leaving age are also subject to legislation in regard of employment (such as a minimum age of 13) as well as local authority bylaws which restrict types and hours of work.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/idcplg?Idc Service=GET_FILE&dID=713&Rendition=Web

[wendilla]

I am sorry if my answer is wrong but I typed (can a 17 year old work behind a bar ) into Google and this is the answer it came up with.