Logan asked:
I am going to Ireland this summer and will be 17. I don’t look incredibly old or young for my age, so I’m wondering how often I will get carded in cities like Dublin, as well as small towns. I am aware the drinking age is 18, and am considering getting a fake ID, but would they accept a US drivers license?
So can I get into a pub being 17 and just not drink? I am traveling with an 18 year old so if i could get in I would be set.
EDIT – so i am getting mixed answers, especially with the idea that I can get into pubs but not clubs. I am not interested in clubs and I’m wondering if bars have bouncers or if I could just walk in.
I am going to Ireland this summer and will be 17. I don’t look incredibly old or young for my age, so I’m wondering how often I will get carded in cities like Dublin, as well as small towns. I am aware the drinking age is 18, and am considering getting a fake ID, but would they accept a US drivers license?
So can I get into a pub being 17 and just not drink? I am traveling with an 18 year old so if i could get in I would be set.
EDIT – so i am getting mixed answers, especially with the idea that I can get into pubs but not clubs. I am not interested in clubs and I’m wondering if bars have bouncers or if I could just walk in.
September 5th, 2009 at 2:39 am
When you get into the pub sit in a secluded corner and get somebody to buy the drink for ya.
It worked for us when we used to go drinking in the Ballydung Arms when we were 12.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Some places accept drivers licences. However most of the bars in Dublin city centre (esp. temple bar) rely on passports. You’re more likely to get away with your fake ID in a small town.
September 9th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
This question has been asked a few times recently.
As you know, the drinking age here is 18. Now when I was younger it was common for 16/17 year olds to drink in bars, but over the past number of years this has been pretty much stamped out. Anyone who looks under 25 gets asked for ID.
As for ID – Doormen usually only accept something which is 100% recognisable to them and they can be sure has not been faked.
This is any passport, an Irish driving license, or a UK driving license. I would not recommend that you attempt to obtain a false USA driving license, apart from the fact that forging official documents/id is highly illegal, it will probably be viewed with suspicion here anyway as doormen aren’t used to seeing them.
There’s plenty more to do in Dublin anyway, so enjoy your trip!
EDIT – Sorry, but no. Being with someone over 18 and saying that you aren’t going to drink wouldn’t work.
September 11th, 2009 at 8:06 am
I think you’re chances are really slim as you’re defo gonna need ID. And if what you show isn’t a passport, theyre gonna be extra suspicious and study it even closer than usual.
I ALWAYS bring my passport when I go out in Dublin. I’m 19 and don’t look particularly young either and I nearly always get ID’d.
They’re really strict in Dublin. And you certainly won’t get away with going into pubs with your 18 year old friends by telling them that you won’t drink!!!
You just won’t be let in. They let kids in with they’re parents etc…its not gonna work for you!
(In rural areas they are usually more lenient though.)
Some of my friends have been turned away (even though they’re 18) because all they had was a driving licence and no passport.
You’re best bet (if you are really desperate) is to use someone else’s passport who looks like you. And don’t try to enter clubs in a large group – always in twos or threes.
Other than that, i’m afraid you’re gonna have to look elsewhere for fun!!!
Good luck!
September 12th, 2009 at 4:17 am
you won’t get into pubs in dublin without ID but if you did go to smaller towns you might just get in.
pubs were where i used to go before i was 18 and couldn’t get into clubs.
in smaller towns you could also use your accent to your advantage and tell them this is your first time here and you just wanna sit with your friends and have a coke.
if im honest, if you brought a fake american ID here and went to clubs/pubs around where i live (a pretty rural area), they wouldn’t know the difference between a real and a fake one. i can almost tell you that for sure.
finally… i’m in the exact same position only the other way round, im going to new york next year and i’ll be 20. i know for a fact that there’s no way i’ll be getting into their pubs though! haha.
best of luck.
September 12th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Little chance in Dublin anyway, most places are quite strict and will check ID at the door, I’m 20 and usually always get checked for ID.
A U.S driver’s liscence won’t be fine, 1. The bouncers don’t have to accept it 2. if it’s fake it’s illegal and 3. if it’s legitimate your DOB will be on it so no point.
Also doormen can turn away whoever they like.
Certain pubs you may get away without being asked for ID but not busy places in the City centre.
EDIT: You can always go to some quieter pubs, but if you are under 18 you must be out by 9 o’ clock, of course your friend can always buy you a drink, but you can also get yourselves into trouble. Some country/rural pubs tend to be less strict and may not bother asking, but like i said it’s unlikely you’ll get in anywhere in Dublin.
Neither is going up to the doorman and saying you won’t drink going to work either.
Gaspipe: What pubs are you going to? If the bouncer says no, that’s it. No loss to them.
September 14th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Ive worked as a pub bouncer in the past and im telling you unless you look over 21 most places in big towns/cities will ask for i.d .( valid id is a garda age card /passport/driving license)
the drinking age is 18 but a lot of places in big towns/cities check if you look under 21 ,there are even pubs/clubs that are over 25s in some cities in ireland
Rural areas might be less strict but you would need to look 18 19 if drinking to not get hassled for i.d even in small villages etc.
EDIT: even if you are not drinking there are many places that wont allow you after 9 o clock without i.d.
rural pubs are sometimes less strict but its never a guarantee as they too have a license to keep.
some pubs are stricter than others . a good well run pub will make sure i.ds are checked and underagers are out out the pub by a certain time even if not drinking.
There may be exceptions to the rule of youngsters out by a certain time in some venues for special occasions such as a family party/birthday party etc.
hope this helps
September 18th, 2009 at 4:40 am
it depends because some pubs are stricter than others, some have bouncers and some don’t, and sometimes if your very very lucky the bouncer will let you in if you agree to his terms such as hell be keeping an eye that you don’t get drunk ect.
sometimes if you get by the bouncer, if the bar man thinks you look to young he’ll ask for id as well. it all depends on the pub and the bouncer that’s on, on the night.
they might not take a US driving license, because some places wont even take an irish one, it will have to be a passport or something, but you never no they might take it if you explain its the only id you have and say you don’t want to risk loosing your passport or something, im sure you’ll be fine i look way younger than i am, an iv been getting into pubs since i was 15 so im sure you wont have to much of a problem.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:40 am
Its not hard getting into the pubs at all! Its not like they have security at the door. Just go in and don’t attract too much attention to yourself and you’ll be fine. Clubs on the other hand will be a problem. A US drivers license would be fine for getting into a club with
September 21st, 2009 at 5:49 pm
i think once your 16 and over you can stay in the pub but you can’t buy alcohol without id but in some pubs they don’t ask for id!
night clubs are strict the age is 18 for most of them but we all know people who are way younger than 18 getting in on fke id!
everyone uses fake id if there 2 young!
you never get caught out!
and they probably won’t ask for id if you go in with a group of people!
September 24th, 2009 at 12:59 am
It is not against the law to be in a pub when u are 17. Might not be able to get any alcohol tho.
September 26th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Most bars/pubs don’t have bouncers, but it is mostly older people who go to the bars and pubs at night.
Best way to find out is to come and just try your luck like everyone has to.
Personally i was getting into bars and clubs from when i was 14 and i have never been asked for ID and im 21 now.
September 28th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
well im 17 and started heading out to pubs and clubs when i was 16 i use my sisters age card i kinda look like her sept she blonde and I brunette! but i have americans staying over and i just gave her my friends id cuz they kindaish jook-alike and she gets in fine no prob!! Id say the fake id wud be ok in some places but if u kinda look old enough then act smart dont walk up to the bouncer with ur id in hand just walk on and pretented there not there and dont freak if they ask u just be normal!! ul be grand some times they will say no and some times they will say yes it just might not be ur night! but just try again somewhere else or the next night!!!
ha happy partying im sure il be dancing away!! ha slán xxxxxxxx
September 29th, 2009 at 8:32 am
If you aren’t known the bar person you may well get asked for ID when you go into a pub, especially outside the big cities. A US drivers licence means jack sh*t I’m afraid, either an Irish National ID card, drivers licence or passport would be needed.
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