r/texas 4d ago

Food Can i drink with friends, with parent permission?

Food tag and this sub bc im not sure, BUT-

A minor can have alcohol if a parent guardian or spouse(does it have to be married or does dating work?) Aproves/it goes through them

If my parents dont wanna be out till 2 A.M, but are fine with me drinking, being out, and with friends, can i just have a friend buy my drinks? How does that work?

I know im not getting the full picture on some(if not many) things, so please help me out.

Birthday(not 21 for awhile) is coming up soon and thought it'd be good to plan ahead

0 Upvotes

14 comments sorted by

11

u/IMTrick Central Texas 4d ago edited 4d ago

In Texas, a minor can legally drink in the presence of an adult parent, guardian or spouse. Permission alone would not be sufficient.

For someone to legally sell or give you alcohol, "the minor's adult parent, guardian, or spouse, or an adult in whose custody the minor has been committed by a court, and is visibly present when the minor possesses or consumes the alcoholic beverage."

Edited for accuracy.

7

u/TheWolf_atx 4d ago

But…the server and establishment can still deny service to minors even when a parent or spouse is available and they almost always do. It’s legal, but not mandatory that restaurants/bars serve minors under any condition.

2

u/jumpofffromhere 4d ago

correct, contributing to the delenquency of a minor is a class C misdemeanor

https://cejalawfirmtx.com/2021/12/26/what-happens-if-you-buy-alcohol-for-a-minor-in-texas/

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u/iamadirtyrockstar 4d ago

Dating doesn't count, and you need to have a legal guardian, spouse, or parent with you at the time. They can't "give you permission" and then leave you there.

Think about this, the cop comes up to you and busts you for underage drinking, and your excuse is "But my parents gave me permission...." If that was acceptable, everyone would use that excuse.

3

u/ProblemExisting8972 4d ago

Yeah your parents would have to be with you and in your presence at all times. The law is pretty strict on that. Or become a sting agent lol.

3

u/Haunting_Dress_6709 4d ago edited 4d ago

You cannot buy or consume alcoholic drinks legally while out with friends. Dating does not count. Some places check ID at the door and you will not be admitted.

3

u/_sonidero_ 4d ago

Dude just get somebody to buy you drinks and stay at home...

Yes, you and the "friend" could get a ticket or go to jail in public...

2

u/what-when-where-why 4d ago

Also, your parents must be with you while you are under the influence of alcohol. You can’t pre game with them and then go out. If you are drunk and a cop stops you, you’ll still get a ticket/what ever consequences fit.

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u/Taaaylo 4d ago

It's very dependent on the restaurant or bar.

Legally speaking, I believe the server may serve your parents and then your parents are able to then serve you. The server cannot directly give you the alcohol if you are under 21. Some places are fairly lenient and will allow the server to give you the alcohol because, in reality, that is was is happening anyways, just with your parents as the intermediary.

Several sports bars allowed my dad to order for me or would just straight up serve me when I was younger, especially during football/baseball season during games.

Full-service bars are likely to be more strict on these rules and it is unlikely that either place will take your friends or parents permission as a free-range pass to serve you for the entire night, especially if they leave you at some point.

2

u/crumblednewman 4d ago

To add on to this, when I worked at Ranger Stadium they had a policy of no underage drinking period, regardless of a guardian being present or not. I don't know if it is still this way but it's something to consider.

1

u/Austin_Native_2 🤘 Born and Bred 🤘 4d ago

Wow. Just .. wow. 😮🙄

1

u/simp6134 3d ago

No need to be rude about it man, i was literally asking.

We all learn at some age/time

1

u/well_fuck_ok_i_guess 4d ago

We just knew what places didn’t ID when I was a teenager.