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Dumb problem - Audience trying to buy you drinks

#21
I played in a band, before my current band, that was notorious for over-indulgences. Actually had the singer disappear off the stage mid-set never to return - and I mean never. It was standard practice that during a show someone would send a tray of shots up to the stage and we would lead the audience in a "social". Many shows the bar would simply provide pitchers of beer for each of us (no glasses) and we each would go through a couple of pitchers during our set. I did not consider myself to be an alcoholic - more of a "professional" drinker. When I decided I wanted a change that was that. Not bragging - just stating the facts.

Having said all that - it did take me a minute to figure out this not drinking thing. I never had a moment where I wanted to drink or when I missed it. I just quit and that was it. It's been some 600 days since my last drink and I've no regrets whatsoever. Gigging sober is interesting but I'm having the time of my life. When we load-in at a venue I let staff know that I don't drink and that I bring my own water with lemon, salt and honey in a steel thermos. Even though, as I stated above, I do not consider myself a recovering alcoholic I explain my hydration choices along the lines of "I quit drinking and only drink lemon water now" or something along those lines. I haven't had a problem with venue staff yet or with anyone buying me a drink.

Lots of good suggestions here. To the OP I would encourage you to not worry about what someone else thinks of your choices or the reasons for your choices as it relates to this topic. If someone cannot respect your medical condition and it's impact on your ability to drink then the problem lies with them and not with you.
 
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#22
Zooberwerx said:
Why is it always a round of "Fireballs"?!? Disgusting but a huge money-maker for the venue, I know. I set it aside and let my buddy down the shot...he has an "acquired immunity" for the distilled spirits.

Riis
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Or Goldschlager. I had to make sure no one was directly behind me and tossed it over my shoulder. Buyer was sweet to offer, and it was business for the bar. Bartender saw it , I mouthed “I’m sorry”. He just smiled and nodded. Sorry had a bad experience with GS, and hadn’t go too drunk to finish a show since I was like 16 (drinking age was 18 then, I’m tall and I was “with the band”).
 
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#24
I try to be gracious, which for me is a BIG ask! That said, I can always find a willing volunteer to do my heavy lifting in that department. It's a bar, after all. That being said, good advice on avoiding anything that doesn't have a confirmed "chain of custody" so to speak. Even a soda in a glass would be suspect. I drink bottled water or bar water if I get it myself.

BBB
 
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#26
As a diabetic, I have similar issues and explain that when offered drinks. People usually understand and then offer to get me something non-alcoholic. Of course, be glad it's just alcohol. I've been offered just about everything you can imagine. There was one scenario where someone crashed the green room during set break and broke out a mirror and chopped up a bunch of lines of coke and passed it around. It made it around the whole room and came back to him untouched. I thought it was hilarious but he seemed to be chastened.
 
#27
subject42 said:
I've had a bit of a trend recently where well-meaning audience members try to buy me a drink during our break or after a performance. Unfortunately, I can't drink alcohol at all for medical reasons. I feel bad when I turn it down and explain it, because they can't get their money back.

Have any of you had similar issues? If you have, how do you handle it? I'm seriously debating taping a sign over my head that says "diet coke no ice".
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I used to attend shows to see blues legend John Lee Hooker. Inevitably, whenever he sag "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," some zealous fan would buy him . . . Well, you can figure out the rest. The catch: He didn't drink
 
#29
RicheyLather said:
Or Goldschlager. I had to make sure no one was directly behind me and tossed it over my shoulder. Buyer was sweet to offer, and it was business for the bar. Bartender saw it , I mouthed “I’m sorry”. He just smiled and nodded. Sorry had a bad experience with GS, and hadn’t go too drunk to finish a show since I was like 16 (drinking age was 18 then, I’m tall and I was “with the band”).
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Waking up the next morning and taking a gold glittered crap is kind of an eye opener 🤣
 
#33
RicheyLather said:
Dean Martin drank tea on the rocks onstage. You KNOW people were buying this guys drinks. Congrats Jugghead, how was the gig. Looks live a dive I used to play at ofien.
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Hey thank you sir. I'm guessing you are referring to my profile picture. It's actually a barn near Lafayette, Indiana. Gig was a ton of fun and everyone there was super cool. I think we were a bit louder/heavier than they were expecting but they were gracious.

Speaking of dives - are you familiar with the Melody Inn? Now there's a dive bar for you.
 
#34
ardgedee said:
Talk to the bar staff beforehand and tell them that you can't do booze. They'll be happy to take a $15 drink order and serve you seltzer.
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Yup. I used to arrange for shots of water, rum-less Coke, etc., when I was gigging on drums while under drinking age. No need to burden the audience with information [that will probably be forgotten] about age, preferences, or medical conditions. Just make sure the bar knows.
 
#35
You can tell the bartender to only give out non alcohol when someone buys you a drink, but the person buying the drink isn't going to identify the person who's getting the drink they're buying. Saying no thanks but I'll take a seltzer doesn't solve the problem of the already purchased drink. Taking the drink and not drinking it if you don't want to seems like the only reasonable choice. The person who bought you the drink feels good. The bar likes money. Don't drink it. Everyone wins.
 
#39
bikeplate said:
“i dont drink alcohol. Thank you. Id love a club sode w lime though”

Whats so difficult about this?
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Well it goes against the culture of out at night, drinking, having fun. To add you’re a purveyor of good times, a band member, who should be all Yahoo, Rock and Roll baby!

I don’t drink alcohol much. Never has suited me, I don’t process it well and although I like the social increase (just add booze to any party to get it going), it’s not worth it for me.

So I decline drinks when offered, alluding to a bad for me that signals perhaps a problem with alcohol, what could be more RnR.

I remember one club in Ventura, The Dock, where they would send up Snow Shoe shots, Brandy and Schnaps. The band would dissolve into chaos which everyone seemed to enjoy at the time.
 

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