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Original poster

Do you smuggle drinks in?

146 replies

VimtoPassion · 09/08/2023 16:14

I'm not a risk taker and I haven't had many adventures.

I went to a couple of festivals in the 90s and am about to go to my 3rd!

The friends I'm going with are seasoned pros and see smuggling their vodka in as all part of the fun. It's not really about the money for them, but the creativity, challenge and "winning" against the people who charge such rip off prices at these events.

I can see their POV, but equally would be mortified to get caught. I also can manage perfectly well on a couple of expensive beers without necking illicit vodka. What happens if they/we get caught? Is there a possibility that they'll be denied entry and I'll end up there on my own?!

The friends are people who have been really good to me since a series of tragic events. I'm grateful for their friendship and support but sometimes we are very different. This is never a problem though, they know that and accept it. They'd have no issue if I decide not to "play".

So, would you and if so what are your best creative ideas?

They have lots of props on Amazon, an umberella which will hold drink and bags with hidden compartments, for example, but surely the organisers are wise to those?

OP posts:
littleripper · 09/08/2023 16:21

I don't really understand it, alcohol isn't that expensive unless you need a skinful. DM was invited on a cruise and snuggled in wine but thats because it was poor quality to buy and she's a snob 😂😂😂😂😂

yellowdogs · 09/08/2023 16:23

Isn't it part of the fun?
You need still bottled water and to get the plastic neck off in 1- then refill- ideally one that is slightly tinted. Heat it and patience

But honestly as a 55 respectable woman I just fill my chilly bottles and have never been challenged. You can get a lot of gin and fever tree in a large chilly bottle!

yellowdogs · 09/08/2023 16:24

littleripper · 09/08/2023 16:21

I don't really understand it, alcohol isn't that expensive unless you need a skinful. DM was invited on a cruise and snuggled in wine but thats because it was poor quality to buy and she's a snob 😂😂😂😂😂

I smuggle mine so that it it decent gin and tonic and cold!

CamelSilk · 09/08/2023 16:24

Do what you feel comfortable with OP. Personally I don't feel right snuggling alcohol in, but like the poster above I don't mind having a small number of overpriced drinks. Your friends won't be barred entry - I think if they're caught they'll have to hand over the alcohol.

WouldJustlikeaLatte · 09/08/2023 16:24

I know someone who got a couple of those breast pumps that you wear in your bra and filled both with vodka !!

woodhill · 09/08/2023 16:26

I took a small sandwich and cereal bar in, they had a water fountain and I bought some food there.

It does irritate me when they stop you taking a picnic in

Original poster
VimtoPassion · 09/08/2023 16:27

You're not allowed to take any food or drink in, not even water. And that does feel like more about making sure you spend on theirs than keeping people safe.

OP posts:
Hadebough · 09/08/2023 16:27

If they caught them/you all they'd do is confiscate it before you went in

Theimpossiblegirl · 09/08/2023 16:28

Depends if it's a one day festival or a weekend. I begrudge paying over inflated prices for food and drink when I have already paid a lot to be there.

woodhill · 09/08/2023 16:28

VimtoPassion · 09/08/2023 16:27

You're not allowed to take any food or drink in, not even water. And that does feel like more about making sure you spend on theirs than keeping people safe.

Yes a real rip off and the food is always expensive plus parking

They had to provide water though

SisterAgatha · 09/08/2023 16:29

I’ve always done it, not for the prices but for the queues. I don’t want to be leaving my spot for drinks every half hour and spending the day queuing.

Original poster
VimtoPassion · 09/08/2023 16:31

SisterAgatha · 09/08/2023 16:29

I’ve always done it, not for the prices but for the queues. I don’t want to be leaving my spot for drinks every half hour and spending the day queuing.

Yes, this too

OP posts:
DeeplyMovingExperience · 09/08/2023 16:32

Wine boxes with the box removed. Shove the foil bags into full-body underwear. Hey presto, massive drinkable tits.

Theraffarian · 09/08/2023 16:36

Yes to smuggling , worse case scenario your drink will be confiscated . My last hiding place was in the frame of the camping chair I took in with me , literally no one wants to wrestle a camping chair out of its bag , unfold it and then repack it, so my bag got checked but not my chair . I find Marks and Spencer’s pre made cocktails are the perfect fit . To be honest I pay a fair amount for my tickets , VIP ones last time , and the drinks on offer were a dismal collection of beers , ciders and wine none of which I drink, so long live the smuggle I say.

kakacacao · 09/08/2023 16:39

They confiscate it and let you in. It's not like bringing coke through airport security.

Needmorelego · 09/08/2023 16:40

Seems a bit childish to me. Anyone that immature shouldn’t be drinking alcohol.
(Yes you can all call me a misery guts but I don’t care. I wish more festivals/events were “dry” ones)

SisterAgatha · 09/08/2023 16:51

Theraffarian · 09/08/2023 16:36

Yes to smuggling , worse case scenario your drink will be confiscated . My last hiding place was in the frame of the camping chair I took in with me , literally no one wants to wrestle a camping chair out of its bag , unfold it and then repack it, so my bag got checked but not my chair . I find Marks and Spencer’s pre made cocktails are the perfect fit . To be honest I pay a fair amount for my tickets , VIP ones last time , and the drinks on offer were a dismal collection of beers , ciders and wine none of which I drink, so long live the smuggle I say.

Exactly, I’ve bought VIP tickets before because it comes with a dedicated bar. Which ALSO has massive queues and sometimes a limit on how many you can buy in one go. There’s no way you can win.

To anyone who thinks it’s immature, that’s fine. We are all different. I find listening to magic FM in the co-op aisle 5 quite boring but im sure it’s a night out for some.

Lakeyloo · 09/08/2023 16:56

Sunscreen bottles are good (if it's not in the middle of winter, obviously). Camping chairs, cocktails in pouches are easy to hide about your person. They will just confiscate them if they find them and most security won't actually physically pat you down nowadays. They should charge more reasonable prices and then people wouldn't try and do it. I got charged £7 for a very average pre-mixed gin at an outdoor gig last weekend !

ExplodingCarrots · 09/08/2023 16:57

I got drinks pouches off Amazon and put them in my bra and in my shorts . Can call me 'childish' 🙄 but I wasn't paying the prices they were charging at the festival . £7.50 for a single measure and mixer . Also didn't want to keep trekking back and forth to the bar in the heat .

FoodieToo · 09/08/2023 16:58

Wondering about this . Coming over fro Dublin to go to Thorpe and want to bring in some wine for the evening . Seemingly I'm not allowed . At 51 .......

BusinessClass · 09/08/2023 16:59

I think the chillys bottle is an excellent shout. Maybe take a large swig as you go through just for effect!!

Danikm151 · 09/08/2023 17:00

Hip flasks 😁 buy lemonade there- sorted 🙂

IForgotOurSong · 09/08/2023 17:02

It’s all part of the fun, I recently smuggled 2 litres of red wine in to a festival arena just for the craic cause once I’d got it in there, I realised that actually what we all really wanted was a cold pint of lager each!

MammaTo · 09/08/2023 17:02

Yes I always sneak alcohol into places. I haven’t been to a festival since probably pre covid baring in mind and was mid 20’s then but yeah I always take alcohol with me.

Original poster
VimtoPassion · 09/08/2023 17:02

BusinessClass · 09/08/2023 16:59

I think the chillys bottle is an excellent shout. Maybe take a large swig as you go through just for effect!!

But you're not allowed to take anything in, even water.

I am planning to take an empty bottle for the free drinking water they're obliged to provide, but I'm expecting queues for that too.

OP posts: