Is it illegal for a restaurant to not

Question

We went to a restaurant and wanted to drink water with our dinner. We were told they do not serve water, we were offered bottled water which we had to pay for

Answer 1

that is definetly not illegal but very rude thing to do

Answer 2

It is illegal in certain states. Check your state, to see if this law applies.

Answer 3

that is rude- but not illegal

Answer 4

You dont want that water anyway.  They even told you that.

Answer 5

Yes it's legal for them not serve tap water. I don't think it's the best business practice but it's their right.

Answer 6

who doesnt serve water at a restaurant?  

Answer 7

Some resturants do serve water for free.And some do not.Avoid those resteraunts!

Answer 8

It's entirely up to the restaurant whether they serve water for free or not. it' not illegalat all.

Answer 9

if a guest came to your house and asked you for water...and u didnt have any except for bottled....so u told them to give u $2 for a bottle.

is that illegal?

i dont think so.

use ur brain...its fun.

Answer 10

Thats crazy, I dont think its illegal though.

Answer 11

I doubt that it is illegal but they should serve awter, even if it is tap water. What restaurant was it?

Answer 12

yes..everbody must give u free water because ure special. special law.

Answer 13

no but it is still a drink so you would have to pay

Answer 14

NOT ILLEGAL.  Gotta make a buck somewhere.  Hope your meal was worthy of the charge.

Answer 15

At some places it is legal because they do still offer water, even if you have to pay for it.

Answer 16

That is a little strange to me. I am from the South. In Georgia water is complimentary with most meals at a resturaunt. They bring out a water glass with ice water while you make a decision from the menu. Fast food resturaunts the water is free. You have to request it. Right now we're under a water ban due to the drought. You have to request it with the menu if you want it in a sit down resturaunt. There is no additional charge for the water. However bottled water is a choice too. It is a choice that has to be paid for. Guess I would feel out of place in New York. God Bless You All ! We pray for all of you sience 9/11.

Answer 17

yes its illegal for the rest. to refuse to serve a customer water on request but they may charge for it

Answer 18

No it's not illegal but it's also not illegal for you to march your butt out their door!  Think about it:  if they can't serve the water, what do they make their food with?  eew.  Report them to the FDA!

Answer 19

I would find out where they get the water that they have to cook with, make coffee with etc.. Its in everything you eat or drink their, so i don't understand why you could not have a glass of water.  This is a new one for me....

Answer 20

Water isn't free anymore. Plus you dont want to drink water from the tap cause it may not be clean and I doubt they have a filter. Stick to only drinking tap water from your home. Bottle water is the best way to go when you are un sure about they water even if it's in your own city.  

Answer 21

I don't know if it's legal or not, but I do know that you should of NOT eaten there!!! They cook with water, they make drinks from water, even soda, they still use water.

If I were you, I would call the restaurant, talk to the manager. If he said that is true, then ask them how they can cook with it, and serve drinks with it. Something is wrong if you can't drink their water. Then you need to call either the water company, if you have one, or a government agency.

It may be a scam if they sell bottled water. It may also be that the water is really bad.

I wouldn't go back, that's for sure. I live in a small town and I waitress at a local restaurant. The town's water tastes bad, so we went to bottled water, but now we have our own well. It tastes soo much better!

Answer 22

I would like to know this as well. A lot of places you go to have tried to outsmart the customer. They have raised the cost of the beverages, but not the food. They still make a profit off of it. I had the same thing happen to me, I was a little annoyed that something I could get for free was offered to me in a bottle as there were no other options for 2 dollars.

Answer 23

i have had that too, there might be something wrong with the tap water, but they have every right to only sell the water in bottles as they purchase water for that purpose. Most decent places will give you free tap water though.  

Answer 24

I would have walked out as soon as they said they did not serve water, and said you had to purchase bottled water. We are in Houston, and here restaurants rarely bring you water with the menu, if ever. Usually they only bring you water when you ask for it as your beverage. GOD Bless ALL of you in New York City since 9-11, you are all in our prayers.