Drinking in public
Encyclopedia
Social customs and laws on drinking in public vary significantly around the world. In some countries, such as the United States and the Muslim world, public drinking is almost universally condemned or outlawed, while in other countries, such as New Zealand and Japan, public drinking and public intoxication
are legal.
, rowdiness and violence, and propose that people should instead drink at private businesses such as public house
s, bars or clubs, where a bartender may prevent overconsumption and where rowdiness can be better controlled by the fact that one is sitting down and security or bouncers may be present. Alternatively, one may drink at home.
Proponents of drinking in public argue that it does not itself cause problems and rather that it is social problems that cause overconsumption and violence, pointing to countries that allow drinking in public but have low levels of associated overconsumption and violence. Proponents further argue that drinking in public helps normalize attitudes towards drinking and build a healthier drinking culture. Many argue that it is a right to drink in public.
In British Columbia, possession of 'open liquor' (including opened but sealed containers) is a $230 fine.
In Ontario, possession of an open container or consumption of liquor in a public place is a $125 fine (as per the Liquor Licence Act, ssec 31(2)). However, the most common enforcement of liquor laws is to simply pour out the offending beverage and issue a verbal warning; fines are rarely issued.
or Wine store. Indian-style tea (chai) is usually seen, as are other substances such as paan
, supari and Gajneer.
.
Drinking in public is legal and widely practised in England – one may carry a drink from a public house
down the street, though it is preferred that one request a plastic glass to avoid danger of breakage and because the taking of the glass could be considered an offence of Theft as only the drink has been purchased, and one may purchase alcohol at an off-licence and immediately begin drinking it outside. Similarly, one may drink on aeroplanes and on National Rail
trains, either purchasing alcohol or consuming one's own.
In certain public places, one may be required to stop drinking. It is not illegal to drink in these areas, contrary to popular misconception, but, in these areas, if requested by police to stop drinking, one must then stop drinking and surrender the alcohol, both open and closed containers.
These are formally known as Designated Public Places Order
s (DPPOs), and were allowed by The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (CJPA); they are more popularly known as 'Controlled Drinking Zones' (CDZs).
Following the election of Boris Johnson
as mayor of London, drinking on London public transportation was made illegal. This was supported by those who felt it would decrease antisocial behaviour, but opposed by those who argued that alcohol relieved the discomfort of a commute. The end of drinking on public transport was marked by some festivities, particularly on the Circle Line, as this allowed one to be on public transit without going anywhere – rather, going in a circle.
Scotland
Consuming alcohol in a public place, excluding designated areas, is against the law and the offender could face a fine of up to £500 in some places.
designated places include - but is not limited to - public houses, beer gardens, alcohol tasting classes and all national rail services
Laws against drinking in public are known as open container law
s, as the presence of an open container of alcohol is seen as evidence of drinking in public and is far easier to witness and prove than the act of drinking.
In some places and circumstances it is tolerated, such as at some college campuses or around sporting events – notably at a tailgate party
– or when the container is inside a bag, traditionally a brown paper bag.
Public intoxication
Public intoxication, also known as "drunk and disorderly", is a summary offense in many countries rated to public cases or displays of drunkenness...
are legal.
Controversy
Opponents of drinking in public argue that it encourages overconsumption of alcohol and binge drinkingBinge drinking
Binge drinking or heavy episodic drinking is the modern epithet for drinking alcoholic beverages with the primary intention of becoming intoxicated by heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. It is a kind of purposeful drinking style that is popular in several countries worldwide,...
, rowdiness and violence, and propose that people should instead drink at private businesses such as public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
s, bars or clubs, where a bartender may prevent overconsumption and where rowdiness can be better controlled by the fact that one is sitting down and security or bouncers may be present. Alternatively, one may drink at home.
Proponents of drinking in public argue that it does not itself cause problems and rather that it is social problems that cause overconsumption and violence, pointing to countries that allow drinking in public but have low levels of associated overconsumption and violence. Proponents further argue that drinking in public helps normalize attitudes towards drinking and build a healthier drinking culture. Many argue that it is a right to drink in public.
Australia
Although details and penalties vary from state to state, drinking in public places directly outside licensed premises (and also in council-designated no alcohol zones) is illegal. Generally, possession of an open container of alcohol is sufficient proof of public drinking.Canada
In Canada, the possession of open containers of alcohol in public is generally a violation of provincial acts and municipal bylaws. Open liquor is not permitted except in private residences or on licensed premises. (If the licensed premises are adjacent to public areas, for example a restaurant patio next to a sidewalk, drinking alcohol in full public view is perfectly legal. Walking down the sidewalk not on the licensed premises, drinking the same alcohol would be illegal.) Open liquor is also illegal in parts of national and provincial parks, though this prohibition may not apply to campsites, as your temporary residence. Ontario Provincial Parks allow alcohol on campsites only.In British Columbia, possession of 'open liquor' (including opened but sealed containers) is a $230 fine.
In Ontario, possession of an open container or consumption of liquor in a public place is a $125 fine (as per the Liquor Licence Act, ssec 31(2)). However, the most common enforcement of liquor laws is to simply pour out the offending beverage and issue a verbal warning; fines are rarely issued.
Finland
In Finland drinking in public is widely practised and accepted, even from the local authorities. According to the law, a person should not drink in a public place or transportation. Exceptions are parks and all the places which are similar to parks if the person does not bother other people too much.Germany
In Germany, the possession of open containers of alcohol is legal by persons of the legal drinking age (16 for beer/wine; 18 for distilled spirits; 14 under the supervision of a legal guardian). It may be restricted in public transportation, depending on the city.India
Alcohol traditionally was generally frowned upon in India by all religious entities. Drinking in public is quite unusual on the streets but on the contrary quite usual in some areas with a barBar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
or Wine store. Indian-style tea (chai) is usually seen, as are other substances such as paan
Paan
Paan, from the word pān is an Indian, Pakistani, Uttarvarshi and Southeast Asian tradition of chewing betel leaf with areca nut and slaked lime paste, and katha brown powder paste, with many regional and local variations...
, supari and Gajneer.
New Zealand
In New Zealand public drinking and public intoxication are legal, although local authorities have power to pass bylaws declaring liquor-free zones, where liquor may be consumed on licensed premises and private property but not on the street or other public areas. Many New Zealand towns now have such zones, usually covering their Central Business District.Spain
Public drinking has been made illegal in Spain in 2002 in an effort to end the then-popular public drinking parties, botellonesBotellón
Botellón is a social activity among Spain’s youth, who gather in public areas to consume alcohol as an alternative to going to a bar or club.-Origins:The origins of botellón started in Andalucia during the 1980s...
.
United Kingdom
EnglandDrinking in public is legal and widely practised in England – one may carry a drink from a public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
down the street, though it is preferred that one request a plastic glass to avoid danger of breakage and because the taking of the glass could be considered an offence of Theft as only the drink has been purchased, and one may purchase alcohol at an off-licence and immediately begin drinking it outside. Similarly, one may drink on aeroplanes and on National Rail
National Rail
National Rail is a title used by the Association of Train Operating Companies as a generic term to define the passenger rail services operated in Great Britain...
trains, either purchasing alcohol or consuming one's own.
In certain public places, one may be required to stop drinking. It is not illegal to drink in these areas, contrary to popular misconception, but, in these areas, if requested by police to stop drinking, one must then stop drinking and surrender the alcohol, both open and closed containers.
These are formally known as Designated Public Places Order
Designated Public Places Order
Designated Public Place Orders give police officers discretionary powers to require a person to stop drinking and confiscate alcohol or containers of alcohol in public places...
s (DPPOs), and were allowed by The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (CJPA); they are more popularly known as 'Controlled Drinking Zones' (CDZs).
Following the election of Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
as mayor of London, drinking on London public transportation was made illegal. This was supported by those who felt it would decrease antisocial behaviour, but opposed by those who argued that alcohol relieved the discomfort of a commute. The end of drinking on public transport was marked by some festivities, particularly on the Circle Line, as this allowed one to be on public transit without going anywhere – rather, going in a circle.
Scotland
Consuming alcohol in a public place, excluding designated areas, is against the law and the offender could face a fine of up to £500 in some places.
designated places include - but is not limited to - public houses, beer gardens, alcohol tasting classes and all national rail services
United States
Drinking in public is illegal in almost all jurisdictions in the United States, with this ban usually extending to include drinking within a moving car (related to drunk driving laws).Laws against drinking in public are known as open container law
Open container law
In the United States, open container laws prohibit the existence of open containers of alcohol in certain areas. Typically these laws concern public places, such as parks, and vehicles. Open container laws are state laws, rather than federal laws; thus they vary from state to state.-Open containers...
s, as the presence of an open container of alcohol is seen as evidence of drinking in public and is far easier to witness and prove than the act of drinking.
In some places and circumstances it is tolerated, such as at some college campuses or around sporting events – notably at a tailgate party
Tailgate party
In the United States, a tailgate party is a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle. Tailgating often involves consuming alcoholic beverages and grilling food. Tailgate parties usually occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas, before and occasionally after games and...
– or when the container is inside a bag, traditionally a brown paper bag.