Drinking age
Last Updated: 7th May 2013
More Tour and Travel Advice for: Australia, USA & Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Drinking age varied from country to country and sometimes from region to region.
Valid Identification
What qualifies as a valid form of ID and proof of age varies from region to region and even place to place. Some bars in Europe will let almost anyone inside while entry and service will be refused to even the oldest clients in Australia, New Zealand and the USA or Canada if they cannot prove their age.
A valid Driver’s License from your home country is usually sufficient no matter when you travel but nothing beats having your Passport on hand, particularly when travelling in a foreign country.
Europe
Again, the enforcement of these restrictions and the need for identification will vary from region to region and this is a general guide for the whole of Europe. 18 is the oldest you must be to drink in any European country.
- Drinking Age
- Beer and Wine – 16
- Liquor and Spirits – 18
- Bars and Clubs – 16 – 18 depending on the venue
Please Note: Different laws apply for the legal drinking age in Sweden.
USA
- Drinking – All States – 21
- Bars and Clubs – Varies from 18 -21 – No drinking without ID
Canada
Laws vary between 18 and 19 from Province to Province.
- Drinking, Bars and Clubs
- Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec – 18
- All other Provinces (including British Columbia and Ontario) -19
Australia
- Drinking – All States – 18
- Bars and Clubs – 18
New Zealand
- Drinking – 18
- Bars and Clubs – 18
Add a Comment Comments (7)
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meislotmaxle1985
posted on 6th Jun 2012
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Very good post! We will be linking to this great post on our site. Keep up the great writing.
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kalarlede1971
posted on 2nd Jun 2012
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johnalex
posted on 24th Mar 2012
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Does anybody know any good clubs/bars that are 18+ in New York, San Diego, Las Angeles or Las Vegas? I’m 19 and will be travelling in Jan 2012. I know that I won’t be able to drink, but hopefully I can find some places where I can dance the night away!!
Jessica
posted on 29th Oct 2011
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Drunkenness age varicolored from country to state and sometimes from region to location perfectly
Explorer1256651
posted on 3rd Jun 2011
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Drinking age in Switzerland is 16 for beer and wine and 18 for Spirits…including alcopops but the real issue is the price Switzerland can realy damage your wallet….I kno w i live here now, a good tip is if you like beer club together for a pitcher/ jug and share! a 1.5 ltr jug is 19 chf in one of the cheaper places, Frankenstrasse 6 Bar in Luzern just behind Mc donalds, and they show Satellite sports with English comentary if you are missing the game…enjoy your trip….benitsesbill
BenitsesBill
posted on 17th Apr 2008
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I’d like to point out this article isn’t entirely correct. In Sweden if you want to purchase alcohol from their liquor stores, you must be 20 years of age, as I found out first-hand.
efti
posted on 4th Jan 2008
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