Drinking outside in Europe
Dec 28th, 2004, 10:23 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Drinking outside in Europe
I am wondering about the laws regarding drinking outside in Europe? One always sees a travel shows where people are having a picnic outside with a bottle of wine. However, I am not sure what are the drinking laws.
I will be traveling to Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and possibly France. If anyone could please share their knowledge or experience of picnicing in the park or elsewhere with a bottle of vino. Thanks....
I will be traveling to Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and possibly France. If anyone could please share their knowledge or experience of picnicing in the park or elsewhere with a bottle of vino. Thanks....
Dec 28th, 2004, 11:17 AM
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There may very well be a difference between drinking as part of a picnic or meal in a public place as opposed to simply walking around with an open container which I have not seen much of (Munich and Oktoberfest notwithstanding) in Europe.
However, the view of alcohol consumption is very different in general in many European countries than it is in the US. I doubt you're going to find any "blue laws" over there since there isn't the sometime hypocritical influence that we often see over here.
However, the view of alcohol consumption is very different in general in many European countries than it is in the US. I doubt you're going to find any "blue laws" over there since there isn't the sometime hypocritical influence that we often see over here.
Dec 28th, 2004, 11:22 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ireland does not allow any smoking indoors in bars or restaurants since earlier this year.To keep their business going many pubs have opened beergardens outside the door and they serve their customers there if they wish.The temperature in the daytime averages about 40F in winter so some people drink in those beergardens even in winter.Drinking alcohol on the street is otherwise prohibited.
Dec 28th, 2004, 12:09 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This spring I was sitting in Place Carnot in Lyon, France. The police drove through in a van. They were telling people to cover up their alcohol.
The bums pretended like they didn't have any alcohol. The police officers weren't buying it. The young people put their alcohol back in their bags. They rolled their eyes when the cops weren't looking.
As soon as the police left all the alcohol came right back out.
The bums pretended like they didn't have any alcohol. The police officers weren't buying it. The young people put their alcohol back in their bags. They rolled their eyes when the cops weren't looking.
As soon as the police left all the alcohol came right back out.
Dec 28th, 2004, 12:26 PM
#9
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Blue laws as regards public imbibing of booze are laissez-faire nearly everywhere but this is slowly changing, mainly to discourage lager louts from gathering in public squares and genuine tourists are rarely bothered by cops. So generally it's OK but not in a few spots - the UK is one place where cities are cracking down but i've never seen any problem in other countries except isolated city squares. Look for signs with a red circle around a wine bottle and a slash through it - the universal prohibited, 'not allowed' symbol such as in no-smoking signs.
Dec 28th, 2004, 01:22 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We just drink with our meals, and I have not yet found a place in Europe that prohibits that. I think it is interesting that in the US we have so many controls on drinking, yet so many drunk drivers; I understand the DUI laws in Europe are much stricter, and more heavily enforced, despite their lack of controls on drinking. That is one of the reasons I don't drive in Europe; I know I can have wine with dinner and still be fit to drive by US standards; but I don't want to run afoul of the European standards. Besides, I can watch the scenery more from a bus or train.
Dec 29th, 2004, 04:37 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dec 29th, 2004, 04:44 AM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In the UK it is unusual for there to be any constraints but a few places have local by laws. I would take the view that you can do what you want unless it is very clear by signposting or something, that you should not. If there is a problem, someone will tell you. These laws are not aimed at tourists.
Dec 29th, 2004, 06:55 AM
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Sheila is right. Somebody having a pic-nic in a park could open a can of beer or a bottle of wine in the UK and there'd be no problem. Where I live, there is a bye-law in the city centre that you can't drink if a policeman forbids you.
It's intended for winos and drunken hooligans, not for people enjoying a civilised drink.
It's intended for winos and drunken hooligans, not for people enjoying a civilised drink.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
thonnyboy
Europe
111
Jan 24th, 2006 05:05 AM
