Public Alcohol Consumption Question - London Message Board (2024)

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Generally alcohol can be openly consumed on the streets unless there is a local law prohibiting it (their should be signs saying so). There is a ban on consuming alcohol on london public transport - which is ignored sometimes. I believe you may be fined if an official catches you.

Maybe someone knows the local laws in the area's you mention.

Not quite sure why you'd be wandering around Battersea lugging a beer, but I doubt anyone would take much notice, unless you were staggering, swearing and singing. Are you on a quest to see the Who's recording studio?

We don't have the same strict laws over here about public drinking, otherwise the police would spend all their time arresting people who are having a bottle of wine with their picnics! ;)

If there are not signs prohibiting it, you can, but it is not classy.

I have no knowledge of London but these days there are number of towns and cities that have enacted local bye laws which restrict drinking in public places.

Destination Expert

Consumption of alcohol on London underground, DLR and buses is unlawful - however it is not always practical to enforce this.

Strange question..... Why not just go to the pub?

Yes I was well aware of the transport and how that changed a number of years back.

And the response to Battersea was actually the area was because I'll be doing some pub hopping between Clapham Junction (which I believe you can't publicly drink) to some pubs in Battersea. I am not a Who fan at all so won't be checking in to that (though I know about it from my friend)

Sometimes pubs are few and far between now (as I've noticed in East London), but more the point is I stray from direct point A to Point B and roam around different areas so I won't be going directly from pub to pub and I may decide I wouldn't mind having a beer in a park or such on my roaming nights.

I just wasn't sure about these areas. I know in the past several pubs have given me and others to-go cups for our beer to finish so that's another reason is to know if I am carrying home my beer while walking in these areas specifically...

Destination Expert

http://www.timeout.com/london/blog/this-map-shows-all-the-places-where-drinking-in-public-is-banned-in-london-112715 Despite the sensational headline the body of this article refers to the power of the police to confiscate alcohol, bit different from a ban. The street notices state that the alcohol can be confiscated if the offender refuses to stop when requested - intended to cover under-age drinking, public nuisance etc. Specific bans can be imposed covering football matches and other public events. Can the OP specify the authority for "So I know in most areas of London you can't have public alcohol consumption ..", I think it is an downtown urban myth. https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/alcohol-and-the-law/drinking-alcohol-in-public-places/

"I know in the past several pubs have given me and others to-go cups for our beer to finish so that's another reason is to know if I am carrying home my beer while walking in these areas specifically..."

Really? I would have thought that was illegal - as pubs sell drinks to be consumed on premises, not to take away.

Destination Expert

Some pubs in the UK have on and off sales licence. It's not unusual to buy a drink from a bar and take it to an adjacent square/park.