Q: I'm going on a trip to Vancouver this summer and I'm going to be with a bunch of 20 years olds who will probably be drinking at bars and clubs. Do I have to be 19 to just sit at the bars and not drink? Do you have to be at least 19 to even get in to these bars/clubs?
A: You have to be 19 to get into a drinking establishment in BC. All clubs in Vancouver check EVERYONE's ID at the door. Especially weekends. It gives the bouncer's something to do, slows down the line to make it busy inside, and keeps them legal. But any bar employee tends to ID, bounces, waitress, bartender, coat check girl. Some less desirable places may not diligently check. But you aren't likely to want to be in them, plus if you are the one under age do you want to be tagging along with a group of 20 year olds from bar to bar until you find the one that lets you stay? I'd be embarrassed. The law says everyone has to be 19 and have two pieces of ID, with one being photo ID like a driver's license or passport. The bar faces major fines on first offenses and closures for frequent offenses, so most don't see it in their interest to be in violation. The cops are more likely to be walking through busy downtown bars on weekends too.