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Louisiana’s alcohol regulations can be confusing when it comes to guests ages 18–20 dining at a restaurant bar with a parent. Here’s a simple breakdown of what is allowed, what is not, and the important discretion restaurants have when it comes to serving alcohol in these situations.

Here are the rules:

• An 18-, 19- or 20-year-old may dine at a restaurant bar when accompanied by their parent. The parent may be asked to show ID.
• The licensee has complete discretion as to whether to allow alcohol service to an 18–20-year-old who is with their parent.
• If alcohol service is allowed, the restaurant must serve the alcoholic beverage to the parent—not the 18–20-year-old.
• The parent may then provide the alcoholic beverage to their 18–20-year-old child.
• The 18–20-year-old may possess and consume the alcohol provided by their parent but may not purchase alcohol from the restaurant or bar.

Example:
Mom orders and pays for a glass of wine. The server gives the wine to Mom. Mom may then give the wine to her 19-year-old child.

Bottom line:
The restaurant serves the parent. The parent decides whether to provide the alcohol to their 18–20-year-old child. The licensee has ultimate authority as to whether they will serve the 18–20-year-old with their parent.