Often tested
Pubs, the lottery and pets: remember the ages
Pubs and night clubs
The pub (short for "public house") is at the heart of British social life. Many people like to meet friends there, and most neighbourhoods have a pub of their own, known as the local, where people naturally get together. The pub quiz is very popular, and pool and darts are traditional pub games.
Buy alcohol in a pub or night club
Drink beer or wine with a meal in a restaurant or hotel, if someone over 18 is with you
Some pubs let you in if you are with an adult
Most pubs open their doors at 11 in the morning, or at midday on Sundays. Night clubs, which have music and dancing, open and close later than pubs. Opening hours are decided by the person who holds the alcohol licence (the licensee).
Betting and the lottery
Many people in the UK enjoy a bet on a sports result or other event, and there are casinos in many places. You must be 18 to go into a betting shop or gambling club. There is also the National Lottery, with draws every week: you can take part by buying a ticket or a scratch card. Under-16s may not buy National Lottery tickets.
Pets
Lots of people in the UK have a cat or a dog, for company or simply because they love looking after animals. The law says:
- It is illegal to treat a pet cruelly or to neglect it.
- In public, every dog must wear a collar showing the owner's name and address.
- Owners must keep their dog under control and clean up after it in public places.
Vaccinations and treatment for animals come from a vet (veterinary surgeon). If you can't afford a vet, there are charities that can help.
Quiz
From what age can someone drink beer or wine with a meal in a restaurant, as long as they are with a person aged over 18?
16, but only with a meal, only beer or wine, and only with someone over 18. To buy alcohol yourself in a pub, you still have to be 18.
Quiz
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Dog owners are not responsible for cleaning up after their dogs in public places.
False. Owners must keep their dog under control and clean up after it. Dogs in public places must also wear a collar with the owner's name and address.
Quiz
Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? People aged 16 or over are allowed to go into betting shops.
False. You have to be 18 to go into a betting shop or a gambling club. Don't mix this up with the National Lottery, where the age limit is 16.
Quiz
From what time are pubs usually open on weekdays?
Pubs usually open at 11 in the morning; 12 noon is the opening time on Sundays. The actual opening hours are decided by the person who holds the alcohol licence (the licensee).
Quiz
In a public place, a dog must wear a collar. What must the collar show?
The collar must show the owner's name and address. The law wants the owner to be found, so it does not ask for the dog's name, the vet's phone number or vaccination records.