Alcohol and bar regulations in the USA...

Soldato
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So I understand that you have to be strictly 21 or over to drink legally in the USA.

Does the same apply to just entering a bar and ordering a non-alcohlic bevarage?

Or, if someone under 21 can't get in alone, could they do so if accompanied by someone 21 or over?
 
In New York well got "carded" when we entered most bars. So yeah if your going to big places like LA, NY, LV you really need to be over 21 and take ID with you.
 
my sister went there at 18 and had no problems sitting at bars. Although in my experiance a lot of places will ID at the door and are very strict. Had my driving license turned down more than once and had to get my passport (Hooters, Charlotte NC damn you!)
 
Some bars will give you an "under 21" wristband that shows you are over 19 but under 21.

Pretty sure no bars will let you in if you are under 19, but lots (particularly college bars) will let you in and not drink at 19 and 20.
 
What city and what state?

It's different everywhere and even bar to bar. Washington DC you'll be fine to get in (and probably served - even though this is a crime and you could face prosecution, or worst case deportation if you cause trouble and get arrested). New York most places you'll probably struggle to get in the door, Atlanta you could enter bars and buy soft drinks fine.
 
What city and what state?

It's different everywhere and even bar to bar. Washington DC you'll be fine to get in (and probably served - even though this is a crime and you could face prosecution, or worst case deportation if you cause trouble and get arrested). New York most places you'll probably struggle to get in the door, Atlanta you could enter bars and buy soft drinks fine.

Off topic, but are you the guy who used to live in South Africa? No reason as to asking, just wondered!
 
can't speak for everywhere but in Vegas you cannot enter the bar

I can vouch for this, as when I went to DefCon when I was 20, Me, and several of my mates, whom were all at least 25, had to sit in the kids section of hooters :p.
 
I only got carded once in North Carolina and that was for entry to a club. Didn't get carded just outside of philly or most places in Washington and New York
 
When I was in Boston, I nearly cried as my boss and colleagues (both much older than me) got ID'd *everywhere* that sells alcohol. I didn't get ID's once.
 
Every bar i went into in New York and New Jersey wouldn't give me my Appletini until they had ID'd me :p
 
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