Can US Citizens Drink in Canada at 19?

Planning a trip to Canada with your teenage children? Are you wondering “Can US citizens drink in Canada at 19?” And while the answer is yes, there are so many other things to consider.

Going to a new country with different laws about alcohol can be confusing.

And considering we have travelled to several countries all over the world, with kids that are a variety of ages, we definitely know the importance of researching your destination.

We’ll take a look at the legal drinking age in Canada, what you need to know as an American, and some tips to make sure you stay safe and have fun while enjoying Canada’s nightlife.

Can I Drink in Canada at 19 if I’m from the US?

Yes. If you’re from the US and you’re 19 or older, you can legally drink in Canada.

Although the legal age to drink in Canada is different depending on the province or territory, it is typically 19 years old across the country.

This means that as long as you’re of legal drinking age in the province or territory you’re visiting, you can purchase and consume alcohol in Canada, regardless of your nationality.

🍺 Drinking Age in Canada

The legal drinking age in Canada, for the most part, is 19 years old.

However, there are just a few exceptions. In the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, the legal drinking age is actually 18 years old.

What is the Legal Drinking Age in Canada for US Citizens?

Generally speaking, the legal drinking age in Canada is 19 years old (with a few exceptions noted above). So, as a US citizen, if you’re 18 or 19 years old and planning to visit Canada, you will be able to consume alcohol.

Of course, we would encourage you to check the drinking age laws of the specific province or territory you’ll be visiting before you hit up any bars or liquor stores.

Can You Legally Drink at 19 in Canada?

Yes, in all provinces and territories in Canada, you can legally drink at 19 years old.

Of course, as we mentioned earlier, the legal drinking age is 18 years old in the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec.

Where Can You Drink in Canada at 19?

In Canada, you can drink alcohol at the age of 19 in all provinces and territories.

This means that you can legally purchase and consume alcohol in licensed establishments such as bars, pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs.

It also means that at 19 years old, you can also purchase alcohol from government-run liquor stores. In some provinces, beer and wine can also be purchased in grocery stores.

Manitoulin Island - Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre - beer

Can I go to Canada and Drink at 18?

That depends on where in Canada you are travelling to.

If you are travelling to either Alberta, Manitoba, or Quebec, the legal drinking age is 18 years old. So, if you’re 18 years old and planning on visiting Canada, you can legally drink in these three provinces.

However, if you are heading to any of the other provinces or territories in Canada, the drinking age is 19, so you will not be able to legally purchase or consume alcohol.

Is the Drinking Age the Same in Canada and USA?

No, the legal drinking age in Canada and the United States is not the same.

In the United States, the legal drinking age is 21 years old, while in Canada, the legal drinking age varies by province and territory but is typically 19 years old.

It’s important to note that even though the legal drinking age may differ between the two countries, it’s illegal for individuals under the legal drinking age to consume alcohol in both Canada and the United States.

Drinking-in-Canada-group-of-people-drinking-red-wine

Can US Citizens Drink in Canada Under 21?

Yes, US citizens can legally drink in Canada under the age of 21, as long as they are of legal drinking age in the province or territory they are visiting.

So, if you are visiting Canada and you are at least 19 years old, you should not have any issues purchasing or consuming alcohol anywhere in the country.

However, if you are only 18, then your options are limited. You will only be legally allowed to consume alcohol in Alberta, Manitoba, or Quebec.

Can Minors Drink with Parents in Ontario?

Yes. Under Ontario‘s Liquor License Act, a parent or guardian may give alcohol to their own child who is under the age of 19, as long as it is done in a private residence and with the intention of providing “responsible supervision.”

This means that the parent or guardian must ensure that the minor does not consume too much alcohol and that they are not providing alcohol to other minors who are not their own children.

It’s important to note, however, that this exception only applies to parents or legal guardians, and not to other adults who may be present. So, if a group of parents were to allow their underage children to drink together, it would still be considered illegal.

Niagara-on-the-Lake-Cave-Spring-our-wine-flight

Where Can You Drink at 19 in the US?

The legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years old.

This means that in most states, you cannot legally purchase or consume alcohol until you’re 21. However, there are a few states that allow people who are 18, 19, or 20 years old to drink alcohol under certain circumstances.

In some states, such as Texas, Wisconsin, and Georgia, people who are under 21 can drink alcohol if they’re accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is of legal drinking age.

In other states, such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Wyoming, people who are under 21 can drink alcohol if they’re on private property and have the permission of their parents or legal guardians.

So if you’re under 21 and planning on drinking in the US, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations of the state you will be travelling to.

Drinking-in-Canada-clinking-beer-glasses

🍺 Crossing the Border with Alcohol

If you’re planning on travelling internationally and want to bring alcohol with you, it’s important to know the rules and regulations for crossing the border with alcohol. In this section, we’ll discuss what you need to know about bringing alcohol across the Canadian border and some tips for ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.

Can US Citizens Bring Alcohol into Canada?

Yes, US citizens can bring alcohol into Canada.

It is, however, important to know the rules and regulations for doing so.

The amount of alcohol you can bring into Canada duty-free depends on several factors, including your age, the type of alcohol, and the length of your stay in Canada.

Niagara-on-the-Lake-Cave-Spring-bottles-of-wine

For example, if you are doing a cross-border shopping trip and stay in Niagara Falls Ontario for several nights, you would be allowed to bring alcohol back to the US, duty-free.

But if you just go to Niagara Falls Ontario on a shopping spree and return the same day, this would not be the case.

How Much Alcohol Can I Cross into Canada with?

The amount of alcohol you can bring into Canada without paying duty or taxes depends on several factors, including your age, the type of alcohol, and the length of your stay in Canada.

If you’re of legal drinking age in the province or territory you’re visiting, you’re allowed to bring in one of the following amounts of alcohol without paying duty or taxes:

1.5 litres (53 imperial ounces) of wine, or
a total of 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of alcoholic beverages or
up to 8.5 litres of beer or ale (24 x 355 ml cans or bottles).

If you are bringing in alcohol in excess of the above limits, you will have to pay duty and taxes on the excess amounts.

Just keep in mind, each province and territory in Canada has different drinking ages. So this will be an important factor in deciding whether or not you can bring alcohol into that province/territory.

Can I Bring Alcohol into the US Under 21?

If you’re under 21 years old, you’re not allowed to bring alcohol into the United States, even if you’re bringing it in from another country.

The legal drinking age in the US is 21 years old, and it’s illegal for anyone under that age to purchase or consume alcohol.

If you’re over 21 years old and want to bring alcohol into the US from another country, you are allowed to do so, but you may have to pay duty or taxes on the alcohol, depending on the amount you’re bringing in.

The amount of alcohol you’re allowed to bring into the US duty-free varies depending on the type of alcohol and the state you’re bringing it into, so it’s important to check the specific rules and regulations before attempting to bring alcohol into the US.

🍺 Canadian Liquor Laws

If you’re planning on travelling to Canada you may want to familiarize yourself with our country’s liquor laws.

We’ll take a closer look at Canadian liquor laws and regulations, and answer some common questions about the legal drinking age, where and when alcohol can be purchased, and more.

What are the Alcohol Rules in Canada?

Canada has several alcohol rules and regulations that must be followed by residents and visitors alike. Some of the most important alcohol rules in Canada include:

Legal drinking age: The legal drinking age in Canada is 18 or 19, depending on the province or territory you’re in.
Where and when you can purchase alcohol: In most provinces and territories, alcohol can only be purchased at government-run liquor stores or agencies. However, nowadays, wine and beer are also sold in grocery stores in many Canadian provinces.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits: It is illegal to drive with a BAC over 0.08 in Canada, and penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol can be severe.
Having open containers of alcohol in the vehicle: It is against the law to have open containers of alcohol in the front seat of your vehicle (or within easy reach of the driver). If you are carrying alcohol in your vehicle, your safest bet is to keep it in the trunk, whether it is open or not.
Public drinking: In most provinces and territories, it is illegal to consume alcohol in public places, including parks, streets, and beaches.
Being intoxicated in a public place: In most provinces and territories, you will be fined for being intoxicated in a public place. This includes on the sidewalk, in parks, or in any other public area.

These rules and regulations are in place to make sure people are being responsible with regard to their alcohol consumption in Canada.

rinking-in-Canada-clinking-beer-bottles-at-sunset

Why is the Drinking age 19 in Canada?

The legal drinking age in Canada was raised from 18 to 19 in most provinces and territories in the 1980s and 1990s.

The decision to raise the drinking age was largely based on concerns about the health and safety of young people. Officials were especially concerned with the fact that highschool aged kids were able to legally drink.

Supporters of the higher drinking age argued that it would help to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents and deaths among young people.

Additionally, raising the drinking age was seen as a way to discourage underage drinking and reduce the likelihood of young people developing alcohol-related problems later in life.

Can I Buy Alcohol in Canada at 20?

Yes. If you are 20 years old you can legally purchase alcohol in all parts of Canada.

This is because the legal drinking age in Canada is either 18 or 19 depending on which province or territory you are visiting.

Can You Drink at 18 if You Are in the Military?

If you’re in the Canadian military and under the age of 19, you are still subject to the legal drinking age of 19 in most provinces and territories in Canada.

However, there are some exceptions that allow Canadian military personnel who are under 19 years old to consume alcohol.

Under the National Defence Act, members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) who are 18 years old or older are allowed to consume alcohol on military bases or vessels, regardless of the province or territory they’re in.

This exception is in place to allow for the responsible use of alcohol in a controlled and supervised environment.

It’s important to note that this exception only applies to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and does not extend to military dependents or civilians working for the military.

Of course, members of the CAF are expected to abide by the military’s alcohol consumption policies and regulations, which are designed to promote responsible and safe alcohol use.

Manitoulin Island - Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre - beer on deck

Can I Enter Canada from the US with a DUI?

If you have a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) conviction on your record, you may be deemed inadmissible to Canada and may be denied entry into the country.

In the United States, a DUI can be classified as a misdemeanour or a felony offence depending on where it happens. But in Canada, all impaired driving convictions are considered serious criminal offences.

In general, if you have a DUI conviction on your record, you will be deemed inadmissible to Canada for at least ten years from the date of your conviction.

This means that you will not be able to enter Canada unless you apply for and are granted a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation.

🍺 Acceptable Forms of ID in Canada

If buying alcohol in Canada is on the agenda, then you’ll need to provide valid identification to prove that you’re of legal drinking age.

Knowing what is an acceptable form of ID in Canada will help to ensure that you’re prepared when you’re ready to buy alcohol.

Does Canada ID for Alcohol?

Yes, in Canada, it’s mandatory for establishments that sell alcohol to verify the age of customers who appear to be under the legal drinking age.

This means that you will be asked to provide valid identification to prove that you’re of legal drinking age if you appear to be under the age of 30.

It’s important to note that establishments that sell alcohol may have their own policies and may ask for identification from all customers, regardless of their age.

What ID Do You Need to Drink in Canada?

To purchase alcohol in Canada, you will need to provide valid identification that proves you’re of legal drinking age. The following are some of the acceptable forms of identification that you can use to buy alcohol in Canada:

Canadian driver’s license
Canadian passport
Provincial or territorial identification card (issued by the government)
Canadian Armed Forces identification card
Indian Status Card
Permanent Resident Card or Citizenship and Immigration Canada Form IMM 1000
US or International driver’s license (for visitors only)

It’s important to note that the ID must be current and not expired, with a clear photo of the individual presenting the ID.

Also, keep in mind, it’s at the discretion of the establishment selling alcohol to determine whether an ID is acceptable or not.

If you do have a foreign ID (like a driver’s licence) that is not in English or does not use the Roman alphabet, it may not be accepted by some establishments. This is when a passport would be your best option.

Does British Columbia Require 2 Forms of ID?

Yes, British Columbia (BC) requires two forms of identification to purchase alcohol.

The first form of ID must be an official government-issued primary ID (including foreign government-issued) with name, picture and birth date. This can be a driver’s license, passport, BC identification card, Canadian Armed Forces identification card, etc.

The second piece of ID must include your name and signature, or picture. So in this case, a credit card or even a student card would suffice.

🍺 Can You Drink in Canada with a US ID?

Can You Buy Alcohol in Canada with a US ID?

It depends on the specific ID you have.

Most Canadian provinces and territories accept a valid US driver’s license as a form of identification for purchasing alcohol.

However, it is recommended to bring a passport as a backup form of ID in case the vendor is not familiar with your state’s license or the license is damaged or expired.

It is important to note that the vendor has the right to refuse to sell alcohol to anyone they believe is under the legal drinking age or to anyone who cannot provide valid identification.

It is also illegal to use a fake or altered ID to purchase alcohol in Canada.

Does Canada Honour US Driver’s Licenses?

Yes, Canada generally accepts valid US driver’s licenses as a form of identification for purchasing alcohol.

The US driver’s license must be current and not expired, and it must have a clear photo of the individual presenting the ID.

However, it’s important to note that it’s at the discretion of the establishment selling alcohol to determine whether a US driver’s license is acceptable or not.

What About Foreign IDs?

Yes, Canada generally accepts foreign government-issued identification as a valid form of ID for purchasing alcohol.

As we mentioned earlier, if you are using a foreign ID (like a driver’s licence) that is not in English or does not use the Roman alphabet, it may not be accepted by some establishments.

Instead, if you’re visiting Canada and plan on purchasing alcohol, we would definitely recommend carrying your passport as a form of identification.