Is it legal for UK restaurants/pubs/cafes to refuse tap water as a drink?

Question

I'm not a stingey restaurant owner or anything, my friend was refused tap water in a Chinese restaurant so it got me wondering about the legality of refusing water.

Answer 1

i echo the other answer regarding the liquor license.

A restaurant without a livense - for example a fast food restaurant - can refuse as they do not have to have a dedicated "drinking water" source and also have to be aware of reducing all chances of cross contamination.

Answer 2

If you request it they have to provide it.

Answer 3

i do not think that there is a law that would stop them refusing you .

but you have the best way of reacting and that is by not staying and walking out but do ask before you order as there is a law that would prevent you from having food prepared for you and you walking out because you have to pay for water or they do not provide tap water ask before ordering.

as these days there are quite a lot of restaurants that you can go to they need your custom for them to survive remember its your cah and it spends any where

Answer 4

No..

Answer 5

They cannot refuse but they can charge

Answer 6

It is illegal to refuse to serve tap water if it is requested. Any serious breach can be referred to Trading Standards - but I would doubt that they would do much about it.

Answer 7

I don't know whether or not it's illegal, but I'd be really p*ssed off if a restaurant refused it!!!  They really shouldn't.

Answer 8

Not sure about the rest of UK but here in Scotland we have to give tap water by law, if requested by a customer and even if it wasn't law it would be a stingy restauranteur who charged.

We serve it in a large jug with ice, lemon and as many glasses as required.

Answer 9

the restaurant can serve who they want and charge what they want...it is only illegal to charge more than advertised etc...

if you go to a restaurant and want tap water i would be extremely surprised if it were to be refused...if it were, i would walk out and tell them you would not ever return....there are loads of choices about!!

Answer 10

Tap water is a drink. If you know that it's going to be refused you bring your own glass and fill it in the rest room from the tap.

Answer 11

No you have to give tap water if requested.

Answer 12

I'm under the belief that if the establishment serves refreshments (any food or drink) for consumption ON SITE, than they're obliged to dispense water on request.

However, this is provided that the person requesting the water is a customer/is using the company's facilities.

The company is, however, perfectly entitled to charge for tap water.  This is usually manifested in terms of running costs (say, glasswashing or similar).

Answer 13

i have no idea

Answer 14

If the restaurant has a license to serve alcoholic drinks it must serve tap water if asked to

It comes down to responsible drinking and is enforceable.

If you have been refused approach the local County councils Licensing Department (check the website for details) and make a complaint

they will follow it up (or should)

Answer 15

they should give you tap water if you request it, it's not like your underage to buy tap water. lol. plus it is not legal for them to refuse to give you tap water.

all pubs restraunts ect should give water to any age

Answer 16

by law they have to give it, but they would rather you spend £3 on a bottle, rip off merchents