Do you want to go to a bar for a drink or buy beer, wine or spirits in Toronto? You can do it, as long as you are old enough and can prove it. Here’s what you need to know about how old you need to be to do that. The age at which you can drink, buy or serve alcohol varies around the world, and in Canada, the age varies from province to province. But if you are curious about how old you must be to be able to drink in Toronto, as in all of Ontario, the legal drinking age in Toronto is 19 . Here are some other things to keep in mind about the legal drinking age in Toronto.
Proving that you are of legal drinking age in Toronto
When you are at least 19 years old, you should be prepared to show photo identification to show that you are old enough to drink or purchase alcohol. There are several options for the type of identification you can use, and these include the following: Ontario Driver’s License, Canadian Passport, Canadian Citizenship Card, Canadian Armed Forces Card, Indian State Certificate Card, Permanent Resident Card , or an Ontario photo card.
Alternatively, you can also request a BYID (Bring Your Identification) card through the LCBO. The BYID card is endorsed by the provincial government and shows that you are of legal drinking age. The card is only available to people between the ages of 19 and 35 and will cost you $ 30 to apply. Pick up an application at any LCBO store or print the form online.
Other things to keep in mind about buying alcohol in Toronto
It’s also good to note that the LCBO identifies anyone it deems under the age of 25, so even if you’re over the age of 25 (even several years older), don’t assume that you won’t be asked for an ID. Always carry it with you so you don’t step on the counter and suddenly can’t buy that bottle of wine you were hoping to enjoy with dinner. And if you are shopping at the LCBO with someone under the age of 19, they are not allowed to handle alcohol, so make sure they don’t try to help you carry the bottles to the counter; it is better to use a basket instead.
Ontario health cards as ID for drinking
You may think that your Ontario health card would make a good photo ID when you want to buy alcohol, but this is not the case. Ontario’s newer health cards have a photo and include your age, but the problem is that because the card is considered private health information, staff at bars and other licensed establishments cannot ask to see it. . Because they are not allowed to ask to see them, Ontario Health Cards are not on the approved identification list provided by the Ontario Gaming and Alcohol Commission.
This means that you can offer your health card at a bar or restaurant and the staff can decide whether or not they are willing to accept it. If this is something you plan to do, it is a good idea to call ahead and ask if the place you plan to go accepts Ontario Health Cards as identification. Grocery stores that stock beer and wine also rarely accept Ontario health cards as proof of age.
The legal drinking age in Canada (versus Toronto)
Some people get confused when it comes to the legal drinking age in Toronto and assume it is 18 because that is what it is in other parts of Canada. In some Canadian provinces, the legal drinking age is lower than in Ontario. In Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba, the legal drinking age is 18. The drinking age in Ontario was also 18 until 1978, but on January 1, 1979 it was increased to 19, where it has remained ever since.
The legal age to serve alcohol is lower
If you want to work in a bar, LCBO store, or anywhere else that sells alcohol, you can start at 18 years of age. But if you are under 18, you will not be allowed to do any work that involves serving bars, taking orders for drinks or drink money, serving drinks or storing alcohol.
Updated by Jessica Padykula
