How to respectfully turn down free drinks

[MJ_Sotti]

I've been offered, I just say "thanks but I'm working, take care of those guys".

I've never been pressed, must be my delivery.

 

[bearhart74]

just say thanks and give em away

 

[dustinymichaels]

My trick... keep an Arnie Palmer in hand throughout the show, night.
I never drink before or during playing. Just can't. Never was a good result.

 

[markjazzbassist]

“Hey everyone this guy volunteered to slam this tray full of booze of stage, let’s cheer him on and watch”

Me to guy “have at it pal”

 

[fjbass78]

The bar wants to sell drinks, thy make money and hire bands. I always say yes to a drink/beer, then put it aside where they don't see it, and don't drink it. Maybe a sip to be polite.

 

[azureblue]

"Thanks, but I don't drink while I'm working"

If you already have a beer on stage with you, this will not work.

This was my go to. I'd add, "but I'll have one with you after tear down and pack." and they were usually gone by that time.
Long ago a had a gig at a bar where the "upper class" business people went to. They all had expense accounts, and would take turns buying rounds of slammers for the house. Including the band. Whoever bought the round would stand up and insist everyone toast with him.. After one night where we were too drunk to drive home, we worked out a deal with the bar tender: He made special slammer for us - 7 up and soda water, so they would still fizz when slammed on the table top.

Back in the days of the hair metal bands, there was this one band where the vocalist sang holding onto a bottle of Johnny Walker. He'd sing and swig from the bottle and act all drunk. My band did a warm up for his band, and I caught him back stage pouring tea into an empty bottle. He just looked at me and held a finger over his lips.

 

[BigBadBen67]

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 don’t know how much you need to worry about being respectful. Alcohol is one of those things where if a simple “no thank you” doesn’t suffice they’ve crossed a line and respect is no longer relevant

 

[zenrad]

"Thanks a lot brother, we're good. I appreciate your kindness, maybe someone else at the bar wants it"

 

[gln1955]

No, the band works for the audience, and I work for the band. The bar benefits by having the audience show up. The band makes that happen. It's symbiotic, not hierarchical.

I think that you've taken the working relationship one level of abstraction too far, but that's your story. The only exceptions I can think of are where the bar has a house band (permanent contractual arrangement) or "artist in residence" (temporary contractual arrangement).

No, it's like most all other business arrangements. You are an employee (or most often a contractor) hired by the bar. The audience are the customers of the bar you have to please. Unless, you are working entirely for tips, then maybe you can make the reach and say you are working for them.

 

[salmon256]

I legit do not drink and have no desire to, I am ok with mocktails or coke, and if even offer non-alcoholic, I am ok with buying my own, AND another note I have some pelvic floor problems so I like to avoid caffeine or drinking any liquid that makes me gotta go LOL so I would use that excuse too...

Just say no thank you and say you appreciate it, that's what I would do

 

[mrcbass]

Just to share the other side....the bar is there to sell drinks and the band are glorified beer salesmen. With that in mind its counterproductive to turn drinks down that a patron is paying for...but it doesn't mean you have to drink them.

This is where I'm at on this. Just because he buys it, doesn't mean you have to drink it.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I was invited to a Bachelor Party a few years back that I knew was going to be the stereotypical strip-club crawl, and general debauchery, so I announced I would be the Designated Driver ahead of time for the rented Club-Wagon. This was a great relief to all concerned, and everybody got home safe, and well coated with glitter and questionable perfumery. Just tell them you are the Designated Driver for the band, you'll probably get comped for free soft drinks.

 

[jwilson67]

Just give them to me.

 

[jwilson67]

Also, define "bad reputation". Like he's violent or a criminal?

 

[happygilmour]

Accept them and don't drink them if you don't want them. It's a sale for the bar and after all, that's probably why you're there...for the bar to sell drinks.

 

[KellyC]

Also, define "bad reputation". Like he's violent or a criminal?

Worse, a politician

 

[bulldean]

Also, define "bad reputation". Like he's violent or a criminal?

He was a registered sex offender. I am a firm believer in rehabilitation and it occurred years ago, but it evidently was with a minor.

 

[bulldean]

Well all, thanks for the input. Some good suggestions for handling different types of people you come across out there.

 

[jwilson67]

He was a registered sex offender. I am a firm believer in rehabilitation and it occurred years ago, but it evidently was with a minor.

Well then you should certainly be guarded with him but he could also just be trying to do right by everyone now and just doesn't know how to express that correctly. Who knows. Follow your gut on this one.

 

[Pocket Dave]

I work in a band where there are two of us in recovery.

Guy brought drinks up as we finished a set. When he offered them to both of us, it looked like the other guy was struggling to come up with a response, so I smiled and said, "thanks, but it's in our contract that 'BL' gets all our drinks. I really shoulda read that thing more closely before signing up with this outfit". The BL, who knows we're in recovery and was standing maybe 5 feet away, looked up and said, tongue-in-cheek, "That's right."