Most of the European countries, the drinking age is 18, however a couple you can get served at 16 years of age. I can't speak for the rest of the countries, but in the UK, there is a law, very rarely used, with the drinking age of 18, if a 16 year old is having a meal with his parents, they are permitted to either a small glass of wine or a cider. But it's hardly heard of and never acted upon really in restaurants, but a little loophole for anyone wanting to try it.