What is The Legal Drinking Age in Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is the perfect destination if you are looking for a tropical paradise to relax and have fun. This Caribbean island offers stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and friendly hospitality. But before you pack your bags and head to the airport, there is one thing you should know: what are the rules and regulations for drinking in Saint Lucia?

Legal Drinking Age in Saint Lucia?

The first and most important question you may have is: how old do you have to be to drink in Saint Lucia? The answer is 18 years old. According to the Liquor Licence Act, you have to be 18 or older to buy, possess, or consume any alcoholic beverage, such as beer, wine, or spirits, in Saint Lucia.

1. You are accompanied by a parent or guardian who permits you to drink.
2. You are participating in a cultural or religious event where drinking is part of the tradition.
3. You are staying at a boarding house, guest house, or hotel where the license holder allows you to drink.

These exceptions are not guaranteed and are subject to the license holder’s and the authorities’ discretion. Therefore, it is advisable always to carry a valid ID and respect the rules of the establishment where you drink.

What are the Saint Lucia Alcohol Laws?

Besides the legal drinking age, there are other alcohol laws that you should be aware of when you are in Saint Lucia. These laws are meant to protect the health and safety of the public and to prevent alcohol abuse and related problems.

1. You cannot drink and drive in Saint Lucia. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08%, which is the same as in the US and Canada. If you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you may face a fine, imprisonment, or both.
2. Without a special permit or license, you cannot drink in public places like streets, parks, or beaches. You may face a fine, imprisonment, or both if caught drinking in public.
3. You cannot sell or supply alcohol to anyone under 18 years old. You may face a fine, imprisonment, or both if caught doing so.
4. You cannot buy alcohol from unlicensed vendors or outlets. You may face a fine, imprisonment, or both if caught doing so.

These laws are enforced by the police and the liquor licensing board, who can inspect, search, seize, and prosecute anyone who violates them. Therefore, you should follow them and drink responsibly and moderately.

Where Can You Drink in Saint Lucia?

If you are looking for places to drink in Saint Lucia, you have plenty of options. Depending on your preference and budget, you can find different types of establishments that serve alcohol.

Local restaurants and cafes, where you can enjoy a variety of dishes and drinks, from local specialties to international cuisines.

1. 1. Prudee’s House of Roti, where you can try the famous roti, a flatbread stuffed with meat, vegetables, and spices, and wash it down with a cold beer or a rum punch.
   2. Spinnakers Beach Bar & Grill is where you can savor the fresh seafood, burgers, salads, and pizzas and sip on a cocktail or a Piton beer while enjoying the beach view and the live music.
   3. The Coal Pot Restaurant is where you can taste authentic Creole and French dishes, such as fish stew, lobster thermidor, and chicken Colombo, and pair them with a fine wine or a local beer.

Mid-range restaurants and bars, where you can find a more upscale and diverse menu and atmosphere, from casual to elegant.

1. The Naked Fisherman is where you can indulge in grilled fish, lobster, steak, and pasta and drink wine or craft beer while relaxing on the beach or in the cozy lounge.
2. The Cliff at Cap Maison is where you can dine on Mediterranean and Caribbean fusion cuisine, such as lamb shank, tuna tartare, and coconut shrimp, and drink champagne or a signature cocktail while admiring the cliffside view and the sunset.
3. The Edge Restaurant & Bar, where you can feast on Asian and European fusion dishes, such as sushi, curry, and risotto, and drink sake or a martini while overlooking the Rodney Bay Marina and the Pigeon Island.

Fine dining restaurants and lounges, where you can indulge in a luxurious and exquisite dining experience, from gourmet to fusion.

1. 1. Dasheene at Ladera, where you can enjoy the innovative and award-winning cuisine, such as roast conch, jerk chicken, and chocolate soufflé, and drink a premium wine or a rum cocktail while marveling at the panoramic view of the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea.
   2. Jade Mountain Club, where you can savor the organic and farm-to-table cuisine, such as snapper, duck, and lamb, and drink a rare wine or a tropical cocktail while soaking in the infinity pool and the breathtaking view of the Pitons and the ocean.
   3. The Great Room at Sugar Beach, where you can relish the refined and elegant cuisine, such as lobster, foie gras, and beef tenderloin, and drink a vintage wine or a classic cocktail while enjoying the colonial-style decor and the romantic ambiance.

Of course, these are not the only places to drink in Saint Lucia. You can also find other venues to enjoy a drink, such as clubs, hotels, resorts, and private villas. However, you should always check the opening hours, the dress code, and the prices before you go, as they may vary depending on the season and the location.

When Can You Buy Alcohol in Saint Lucia?

If you want to buy alcohol in Saint Lucia, you should know that the availability and the prices may depend on the type of license and the type of outlet. According to the Liquor Licence Act, different types of licenses allow the sale of alcohol, such as:

1. A beer license permits the sale of beer on or off the premises between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
2. A grocer’s retail license permits the sale of alcohol in sealed bottles or containers for consumption off the premises between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
3. A retail license, which permits the sale of alcohol for consumption on or off the premises between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
4. A wholesale license, which permits the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises and in quantities of not less than 9 liters between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
5. A hotel license permits the sale of alcohol at the hotel to members of the public at any time except between 3:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and to residents at any hour of the day or night.
6. A restaurant license permits the sale of alcohol for consumption at meals between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
7. A refreshment house license permits the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises between 6:00 a.m. and midnight.
8. A club license permits the sale of spirits in and upon the club premises for consumption on the premises between 9:00 a.m. and midnight.
9. An occasional license permits the sale of alcohol in any place named in the license during the time stated in the permit but does not exceed three consecutive days at any one time.

As you can see, there are different hours and conditions for buying alcohol in Saint Lucia, depending on the license and outlet types. Therefore, you should always check the license and the opening hours of the place where you want to buy alcohol, as they may change without notice.

How Do You Ask for a Beer in Saint Lucia?

If you want to order a beer in Saint Lucia, you should know that the most popular and widely available beer on the island is Piton Beer. Piton Beer is a light and crisp Pilsner named after the iconic peaks on the island’s southwest side, Gros Piton and Petit Piton. Piton Beer is brewed locally by Windward & Leeward Brewery, a Dutch company and a Heineken International subsidiary.

To ask for a beer in Saint Lucia, you can say, “I would like a beer, please,” or “Can I have a beer, please?” in English, as most people on the island speak English as their official language. However, to impress the locals and sound more authentic, you can also try to say it in French Creole, the other primary language on the island. French Creole is a mixture of French, English, and African languages that reflects the history and culture of Saint Lucia.

To ask for a beer in French Creole, you can say “Mwen vle yon bè, tanpri” or “Mwen ka ni yon bè, tanpri?” which means the same thing as in English. However, you should also pay attention to the pronunciation, which may differ from the spelling. For example, the word “bè” is pronounced as “bay,” and the word “tanpri” is pronounced as “tahn-pree.” You can also listen to some online audio clips or ask a local to help with pronunciation.

When ordering a beer in Saint Lucia, you should also be aware of the beer’s price and size. The cost of a beer may vary depending on the type of outlet and the location, but generally, you can expect to pay between $1.30 and $2.50 for a bottle of Piton Beer. The size of a bottle of Piton Beer is 275 ml, which is about 9.3 fl oz. If you want a more extensive beer, you can ask for a pint of 473 ml or about 16 fl oz.

Finally, when you receive your beer, you should know how to say “cheers” or “thank you” in Saint Lucia. To say “cheers” in English, you can say “Cheers” or “Bottoms up.” To say “cheers” in French Creole, you can say “Santé” or “A la vòt.” To say “thank you” in English, you can say “Thank you” or “Thanks”. To say “thank you” in French Creole, you can say “Mèsi” or “Mèsi anpil”.

Conclusion

Drinking in Saint Lucia can be fun to experience the island’s culture and hospitality. However, you should also be aware of the legal drinking age, the alcohol laws, and the drinking etiquette in Saint Lucia. Following these rules and regulations allows you to drink responsibly and safely and avoid trouble or inconvenience. Cheers!

FAQs

Q: What is the legal drinking age in Saint Lucia?

A: The legal drinking age in Saint Lucia is 18 years old, but there are some exceptions depending on the situation and law enforcement.

Q: What are the Saint Lucia alcohol laws?

A: The Saint Lucia alcohol laws include the prohibition of drinking and driving, drinking in public places, selling or supplying alcohol to minors, and buying alcohol from unlicensed vendors or outlets.

Q: Where can you drink in Saint Lucia?

A: You can drink in various types of establishments that serve alcohol, such as local restaurants and cafes, mid-range restaurants and bars, fine dining restaurants and lounges, clubs, hotels, resorts, and private villas.

Q: When can you buy alcohol in Saint Lucia?

A: You can buy alcohol in Saint Lucia depending on the license type and outlet type. There are different hours and conditions for purchasing alcohol, such as between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for a beer license or between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. for a restaurant license.

Q: How do you ask for a beer in Saint Lucia?

A: You can ask for a beer in Saint Lucia in English or French Creole, the two main languages on the island. You can say, “I would like a beer, please” or “Can I have a beer, please?” in English, or “Mwen vle yon bè, Capri” or “Mwen ka ni yon bè, Capri?” in French Creole.

Q: What is the most popular and widely available beer in Saint Lucia?

A: The most popular and widely available beer in Saint Lucia is Piton Beer, a light and crisp Pilsner named after the iconic peaks on the island’s southwest side, Gros Piton and Petit Piton. Piton Beer is brewed locally by Windward & Leeward Brewery, a Dutch company and a Heineken International subsidiary.

Q: How much does a beer cost in Saint Lucia?

A: The price of a beer in Saint Lucia may vary depending on the type of outlet and the location, but generally, you can expect to pay between $1.30 and $2.50 for a bottle of Piton Beer, which is 275 ml, or about 9.3 fl oz. If you want a more extensive beer, you can ask for a pint of 473 ml or about 16 fl oz.

Q: How do you say “cheers” or “thank you” in Saint Lucia?

A: You can say “cheers” or “thank you” in Saint Lucia in English or French Creole, the two main languages on the island. You can say “Cheers” or “Bottoms up” in English or “Santé” or “A la vòt” in French Creole. You can say “Thank you” or “Thanks” in English or “Mèsi” or “Mèsi anpil” in French Creole.

Q: What are some of the best places to drink in Saint Lucia?

A: Some of the best places to drink in Saint Lucia are:

1. Dasheene at Ladera, where you can enjoy the innovative and award-winning cuisine and drink a premium wine or a rum cocktail while marveling at the panoramic view of the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea.
2. Jade Mountain Club is where you can savor the organic and farm-to-table cuisine and drink a rare wine or a tropical cocktail while soaking in the infinity pool and the breathtaking view of the Pitons and the ocean.
3. The Great Room at Sugar Beach is where you can relish refined and elegant cuisine and drink a vintage wine or a classic cocktail while enjoying colonial-style decor and the romantic ambiance.

Q: What are some of the cultural or religious events where drinking is part of the tradition in Saint Lucia?

A: Some of the cultural or religious events where drinking is part of the tradition in Saint Lucia are:

1. The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is an annual event that showcases local and international jazz and arts performers and features various food and drink stalls and vendors.
2. The Saint Lucia Carnival is an annual event celebrating the island’s culture and heritage with colorful costumes, music, dancing, and parades. It involves drinking rum and beer.
3. The Saint Lucia Food & Rum Festival is an annual event highlighting the island’s culinary and rum offerings and featuring various chefs, mixologists, and tastings.