Drinking age in Spain

[nennyc]

Could anyone tell me the drinking age in spain please?
My friends and myself have found an all inclusive holiday which we'd like to book to go to Lloret De Mar (spain) next summer. There are 6 of us going but 2 of my friends won't be 18 then (they're 17 and would only be a 2&3 weeks off) but if we wait until they are 18 it adds £200+ to the price..
If the drinking age is 18+ does anyone know how relaxed they are at serving underage people there (in the clubs/bars ect.) as I know some holiday resorts don't really ID people. Also as it's all inclusive would it be likely that the hotel would serve them drinks?
thankyou! x

[squarebear]

They are very strict indeed. You may be ok in the complex but you will NOT get in the clubs. They get enough visitors without risking losing their licence. Your underage friends will find it a lonely holiday while they wait for you in the clubs.

[nennyc]

thanks for the answer even though it was not the one I wanted to hear! :(
looks like we'll have to pay the 200 quid extra and go a few weeks later.. or maybe look to go somewhere else with a lower drinking age!

[theshedman]

Hi, I would go onto Trip Advisor and ask this question as you may get more answers on there and some may be encouraging. In some parts of Spain they are very strict but in others they don't mind too much if you are sensible. Have a look on the site I have put here.

http://www.tripadviso..._Brava_Catalonia.html

[tigwig]

Things must have changed then as I was drinking malibu in Tenerife when I was 15, never got questioned. I think in the main resorts they won't even care as long as you look remotely old enough.

[sitges]

Things must have changed because back in the 90's and again when I was in Barcelona in 2005, there was not an age limit on drinking, however there was an age limit on who could get into disco's and bars. I have seen kids as young as 12 getting drinks in restauants and sidewalk cafe's, with and without parents along. I was just in Madrid but was not in areas where there were young children around where there were drinks being served.

[pinkcowprint]

i think squarebear is probably trying to put you off but id just go for it!!you obviously sound a bit more grown up thanthe usual 18 year olds for even bothering to ask on here!!you'll be fine,believe me,ive been going on girlie hols since i was 15/16 and as long as your not getting your bits out and barffing all over the place believe me you will be fine!i mean your going to lloret de mar,its an 18-30's dream!!!! its not like your going to sip cocktails in st tropez!!be careful and have a good one!!xxx

[scottie2002]

Normally in all inclusive hotels those under 18 have a different coloured wristband to adults so won't be served alcohol in the hotel.

[squarebear]

Not trying to put you off at all. My impression was that you were going to nightclubs rather than restaurants and pavement cafés.

Sure, go for it but I doubt your 17 year old friends will enjoy it. I personally wouldn't risk it.

[nennyc]

thanks for all your answers!
yeah it's an 18-30yr old dream and loads of people around my age go there to have a good time so it seams like the ideal place!
It's going to be a going out kind of party holiday so even though it looks soo mint I think were going to have to go somewhere else with a lower age as the risk of not being able to do the things we want to do is too much :( hey but zante in greece looks pretty decent right? haha
thanks evryone! and boooo to having friends born at the end of july during peak time!! haha xxx