How to respectfully turn down free drinks

[micguy]

I'm on a keto diet, and my body doesn't tolerate caffeine or alcohol well any more, but Im not going to explain that. "Sorry, I don't drink" is what I'd go with - as it's the truth it's easy to say.

Technically, I do sometimes consume drinks that people bring me on stage, but they're maybe a quarter shot, It's Sunday morning, and it's cranberry juice.

 

[Rabidhamster]

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?

What type of bad rep does this guy have?
Is it a good natured idiot bad reputation or is it a “we’d better all drag him our back and murder him before he hurts anyone else” bad reputation?
If he’s a harmless drunk then I’d just placate him but be very boring on break, thanks for coming out again and your support then keep it moving to talk with others.
As far as drinks I’d just dump em all or give them away . A friend of mine keeps a large cup behind the monitor to dump shots in.

It may well be he doesn’t even care about you and that’s how he tries to look big time for whoever he’s trying to attract in the audience.

 

[aprod]

You don't work for the bar and are not a glorified beer salesman. If your fans want to spend some money to memorialize the night, sell them a t-shirt.

You don't gig much do you?

 

[JSandbloom]

It’s a sad day when a bass player is turning down alcohol. This must be what it felt like the day the funk died.

 

[mrjim123]

That's tricky. Give him the cold shoulder and maybe he'll finally get the idea. But, be careful; people like that can have stalker tendencies.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

From Wikipedia “It is likely he had congenital syphilis and it was suspected later by medical professionals that this may have been a contributing factor in his death...."

Dang! The Devil gave him congenital syphilis?!?!

 

[5StringBlues]

PFFFFT! The weed be letting you know.

It’s a sad day when a bass player is turning down alcohol. This must be what it felt like the day the funk died.

 

[Shlabotnik]

Don't want yo ugly-a$$ drinks, B**ch!!!

Maybe that's too harsh??

 

[Watchootognbout]

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.

Or you can get an empty bottle and show it to Him.
"I just finished one.Thank you no"

 

[g-dude]

50 or so years ago, I played a gig where the guitarist was sober 1 minute and off his face literally minutes later from a free drink.

Made an impression on me to the point that I am one of the only 70+ baby boomers who has never even had a single puff on a joint. Never taken illegal drugs and avoid instantly anyone playing that tune.
Absolutely no apologies for it either.

Nobody ever said, “Man, I screwed up really badly because I was too sober.”

 

[JenderBazzFass]

I would find a way to say that the generosity is appreciated but that we'd prefer cheers in the form of tips for ourselves or for the bar staff.

 

[Dincrest]

Either a simple, "Thanks, but I'm good" or a "Thanks, but I gotta drive/ am the band's designated driver."

 

[bigthemat]

I've heard of bands having a band drink with the bar which is just club soda and lime or something similar and costs the bar almost nothing. That way the band doesn't get blitzed, and the money they'd charge for the drink goes as a tip to the band. I don't mind someone buying me a whiskey or whatever, but, I'd rather they put in the cash into the tip jar. I thought this was a cool idea. Plus, if safety is a concern (like those in this thread getting spiked drinks... yikes), tell them the bar has our drinks, let them know and they'll deliver it to us.

 

[iiipopes]

I agree with not accepting drinks. At all. Thirty years ago a waitress brought a tray of shots to the front of the stage for the band I was in at the time. We didn't think much of it because they were brought up to the stage by a waitress. What we didn't know was that the shots had taken a detour by a fan's table who proceeded to dust them. Fortunately, we all got back to my place safely, and no further ill effects or consequences, but of course we were up all night from the effects of what the shots had been dusted with - meth.

 

[MrLenny1]

Had a similar issue. Patron, drummer's cuzin always buying
shots of Fireball Whiskey. Yuk. Not my cup of tea.
Anyway, I would take it, raise it with a smile and turn away
quickly & dump it quickly & return it with a smile.
Booze is a hazard in this business.

 

[C Stone]

Is that a play on Pappy Van Winkle?

Pappy was the first of the Van Winkle bourbon making family then his son Julian purchased distilleries old stock
and resurrected the pre-Prohibition
label then called “Old Rip Van Winkle”.

 

[CaptainHume]

Whatever your reasons for not drinking, I respect it fully. That said, pushing alcohol sales can help you at the end of the night. A couple rounds for the bands can sometimes push you over the edge to "break the bar" and get a little extra money for the band depending on the agreement you have with the bar. Even if you don't get more money for it, the bar will be happy to sell more and will probably be happy with you.

All that being said, you do not have to drink any of what you're given. You can ask the bartender to give you beers with the caps still on so you can take it home and drink it later, you can pour it out at the set break, you can give it to a homeless guy out front, but I think you should accept it if it's offered. It's ultimately a kind gesture from the audience and you're under no obligation to drink anything given to you.

You're not really just at a bar to perform, as much as we all want to think that, bars hire bands to bring in crowds, keep them entertained, and have them buy more drinks. It's a reciprocal relationship.

 

[E2942]

Some will get offended because drinking culture is weird

The other reason I quit going out.
Where I am, each person has their own excuse as to why they think they'll be able to get pissed as a parrot & still make it home without issues.

 

[Low End Scum]

If you're not a drinker then the "I don't drink, thanks but I'm gonna pass" recc's in this thread are great. If you do drink at shows just saying you don't take drinks from anyone but the bartender. If they really push it I'd lean into "I've had what I'm planning to have for now man. I appreciate it but no thank you".

 

[Ellery]

Easy... Give them to me!!!!