Is it Legal for Louisiana Parents to Let Minors Drink at Home?

When your state has a reputation for "Letting the Good Times Roll" and you're one of the few places in the world where a motorist can purchase an alcoholic beverage, with a piece of tape on the straw, legally while operating a car, then you know there will be questions about alcohol and who can legally consume it.

Most of us are aware that the legal age to purchase and possess alcoholic beverages is 21 years of age. But, oddly enough, that "age limit" isn't always the case when it comes to consuming alcohol.

Drinking is part of Louisiana's way of life. You can deny it if you want to, but it's still true. Much of our state's tourism economy is built on barley-malt beverages, fermented grapes, and distilled spirits from sugar cane and other Louisiana-sourced ingredients. It puts the "joie" in our "Joie de vivire", right?

Over the next several weeks many Louisiana families will host gatherings of friends and family members as we celebrate the Christmas season and New Year's too. Both of those holidays usually come with a bottle of bubble or two as part of the celebration but is it legal for parents to allow their kids to participate in a toast? Or, for that matter is okay for those under the age of 21 to drink, as long as they are in a private home or residence?

According to the Alcohol Policy Information System, both possession and consumption of alcohol by underage persons in the state of Louisiana is against the law. That is unless the following exceptions have been met.

An Underage Person In Louisiana May Possess Alcohol If:

They are at a private residence. Or, there is a parent or guardian on-site. Or the underage person's spouse, who is of legal drinking age, is present.

An Underage Person in Louisiana May Consume Alcohol If:

They are at a private residence. Or, there is a parent or guardian on-site. Or the underage person's spouse, who is of legal drinking age, is present.

There are also exceptions made for the use of alcohol as it pertains to certain religious ceremonies and celebrations. In most states, individuals who are 18 or older can work in establishments that sell alcohol and can even bus or wait tables where alcohol is being consumed. However, they may only do so with a manager or supervisor present. In order to be a bartender many states require an individual to be at least 21 however, in Louisiana that age is listed as 18.