How to respectfully turn down free drinks

[Axtman]

My brother-in-law, who played keyboard in lots of live bands, does this trick. He tells the bartender that if anyone wants to buy me any sort of a drink, just bring me a ginger ale with a slice of lime. I will let you decide how to bill the customer.

 

[6-3-2]

Just say you can't do alcohol because of health issues. No one should have to explain IMO, but I've found saying health issues avoids any grilling about why.

 

[FatherTrucker]

Based on past experience, where a band member ended up in the ER due to a patron bringing her a spiked drink, we no longer touch anything that has not been delivered by bar staff.
It's our rule, and the rule at said club since then. Perhaps you could let the bar management/staff in on the situation. If the person is a regular, shouldn't be too much trouble to have them simply pour alcohol-free sodas when this dude steps up to the bar. I'd bet good money he makes them well aware who he's buying for.
Agree with most other methods listed so far to try and squelch this behavior.

Exception: Eye drops?
Being curious, here's a quick interwebs search/quote about it's effects:
"Swallowing even small amounts can lead to seizures, cardiovascular collapse, and coma."
Um, no, just don't do it. The guy's heart seems to be in the right place. Vengeful injury or possible death is just not called for.
(I'm sure it was meant as a funny, but I just had to know...)

I'm still quite certain my DUI was a product of a spiked drink. All these years later I'm pretty careful of what I accept from people.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

We politely decline and explain we just don't drink because we're getting paid to do a job. Have never had an issue with that.

 

[KellyC]

There is a person who is well known in the area with a really bad reputation that attends our bands live shows. He is always buying the band drinks and makes it a point to bring them up to the stage while we are playing and sets them in front of us. When its break time we are then hounded by this person who attempts to look like a friend. Any suggestions on how to politely avoid this individual?

I believe the gesture comes from a good place, there are a lot of lonely people out there.

Next time he leaves drinks on the stage, announce on the mic that this nice man has just purchased free drinks for the next x-number of people who come up to the stage to grab them. I'm sure he'll get tired of buying rounds for sweaty drunk dudes in the crowd eventually.

 

[Grinderman]

(raised by wolves?)

No, thank you.

 

[friskinator]

We politely decline and explain we just don't drink because we're getting paid to do a job. Have never had an issue with that.

I've found that trying to "explain" it doesn't always deter them. These people are usually already buzzed/drunk themselves by the time they decide to buy the band drinks, and their reasoning potential is low.

 

[rtslinger]

Thank you, but I don't drink, but I will take a water if you are still offering

 

[Watchootognbout]

No Thanx.
End of discussion.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I've found that trying to "explain" it doesn't always deter them. These people are usually already buzzed/drunk themselves by the time they decide to buy the band drinks, and their reasoning potential is low.

I know exactly what you're saying because that was my experience many years ago when I was still a gigging drummer. The drinking age was 18, everyone smoked and the amount of over-served customers was much higher. Different times.

My answer was based on our recent experience. We drink soda and with the cans in sight I've pointed to those if the polite response doesn't immediately work.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

There is a person who is well known in the area with a really bad reputation that attends our bands live shows. He is always buying the band drinks and makes it a point to bring them up to the stage while we are playing and sets them in front of us. When its break time we are then hounded by this person who attempts to look like a friend. Any suggestions on how to politely avoid this individual?

Just say no thanks.
I would never ever take an offered drink. It got Robert Johnson killed in the 30's and has never become a great idea any time since.

Good point.

 

[Matt-J2]

or that Ginger Beer isn't beer, making them good asks from the bar (as noted, delivered by staff, not the patron).

Careful with that one, because it certainly can be. Crabbies would be the most common alcoholic ginger beer brand in the US IIRC, but there's smaller/regional brands that do alcoholic varieties as well.

I swear it's getting sloooowly more common in the US as well, but I may be way off mark on that. But might be good to keep an eye out if you have someone get you a ginger beer when you don't want to drink.

 

[40Hz]

Eye drops in his drink. Works like a charm.

Not a good idea. Eyedrops can cause convulsions and potentially fatal respiratory crisis for susceptible individuals if swallowed. People have been prosecuted for doing that.

 

[Matt-J2]

If you'd ever drank korean beer.... Maybe the eyedrops would be preferable. My buddies were happy for the free beer though.

I was in the Army and on a PROFIS assignment in Korea back in 2001. Beer at the "club" just out the gate was OB Lager or Budweiser. Budweiser cost a little more but I knew the name. I noticed pretty quick that every Bud was in a bottle that was embossed with OB Lager!

Not sure if they just deposited/reused the bottles, bottled in the same facility, or what, but I switched to OB. Gotta be honest, I didn't notice a difference, though I wasn't much of a beer drinker then (wasn't even 21 yet).

 

[Minimalist]

There is a person who is well known in the area with a really bad reputation that attends our bands live shows.

What kind of reputation? For drinking? Beating up people that refuse to drink with him? Do you drink after the show?

 

[Michael Milner]

The venue will appreciate a customer who buys liquor. I would let him buy the drinks, and then not consume them, or just pour them out when he's not looking. IMHO, it is more important to stay on the good side that is paying you to perform. I personally don't drink anything on a job I didn't have 100% control over at all times, but I've accepted lots of free drinks (and did not consume same). Just my 2 cents....

 

[dbsfgyd1]

There is a person who is well known in the area with a really bad reputation that attends our bands live shows. He is always buying the band drinks and makes it a point to bring them up to the stage while we are playing and sets them in front of us. When it’s just say nobreak time we are then hounded by this person who attempts to look like a friend. Any suggestions on how to politely avoid this individual?

Just say no. If he comes up between breaks look at your phone and or watch and politely excuse yourself. You do that enough he/she will leave you alone. Whatever you do, don’t look like you are annoyed, put off, or dismissive.
If he or she after a while asks about your tact, just say you are at work at when you are there and need time by yourself to take care of business, and catch a blow before going back on stage. I hope you understand.

You may want to mention appreciation for the drinks but tell him it’s never a good idea to drink on the job.

 

[C Stone]

Nah thanks though, I’m good right now.
If they “push it” I say something smart like I forgot you were there…you may go.

 

[socialleper]

Tell them you only drink McCallan 25.

 

[C Stone]

Tell them you only drink McCallan 25.

Or Old Rip Van Winkle 25…