How do you sneak alcohol out of a bottle?
You can easily hide your alcohol and keep it close by changing the container it’s in or by storing somewhere it’s not likely to be found. You might have to get creative with the ways of going about this, though, especially if you’re trying to hide your drink of choice from others who might want some.
- 1 Go classic with a hip flask. The easiest way to make a small amount of liquor portable and keep it in your pocket, bag, or purse is to transfer it into a hip flask, These usually hold about 8 oz. of liquid, are available in stainless steel and other materials, and are relatively cheap to buy. They’re usually made to fit comfortably in the interior jacket pocket of a men’s coat.
- To clean out a hip flask, rinse it with hot water and leave it open on the counter overnight to dry. Never put soap in a hip flask, because it can be very difficult to clean out thoroughly, and you might leave a soapy residue around for your next shot of scotch.
- 2 Paper-bag beers and pint bottles to keep them hidden in plain sight. If you want to sit in the park and enjoy an adult beverage, ask for a paper bag at the liquor store. In most places, it’s illegal to drink in public, but “brown-bagging” a beverage is often enough to avoid giving police probable cause to search you, meaning–even though it’s obvious what you’ve got in there–most police departments are happy to leave well enough alone and focus on other concerns as a departmental policy.
- Please note that this method involves negotiating a legal gray area. It’s illegal in the United States to consume alcohol in public, technically, and many small-town cops might take pleasure in inventing probable cause to search you if you appear drunk or disorderly. If you want to brown-bag, you’ll do so at a risk.
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- 3 Keep beer cans in a cozy. Novelty beer cozies can help keep cans of beer cold, and also make them look an awful lot like cans of soda. Like brown-bags, cozies big enough to obscure the brand label on the can will keep people off your back if you want to have a few cold ones without hassle.
- Make a soda can cozy to keep beers in. If you don’t have a cozy, snip the top inch or so off of a soda can, slot your beer into it, and voila. It’ll look like you’re drinking Dr. Pepper.
- 4 Hide your alcohol in other bottles. One of the best ways to mask the presence of alcohol and hide it in plain sight is to pour it into an inconspicuous bottle, then carry it as if it were water, soda, or some other beverage. No one need be the wiser. Opaque Nalgene bottles, or other all-purpose water bottles are perfect for hiding booze.
- Put vodka, gin, and other clear spirits in water bottles. Make sure you leave the cap on at all times, when you’re not drinking, to avoid the strong smell attracting attention.
- Hide wine in Nalgenes, in fruit-drink bottles, or Vitamin Water containers. These colored liquids should look similar to the color and texture of wine, making it pass an initial eye test.
- 5 Put alcohol in a Camelbak, or other portable “water” container. CamelBaks are backpacks designed for hiking and transporting water, and they’re great for hiding booze on the down-low. These can be excellent for porting any kind of illicit liquid. They usually feature a long rubber straw clipped to the shoulder-strap, which you can use to drink from.
- 6 Consider the “wine rack.” Similar to the Camelbak, the wine rack is so hidden it’s under your clothes. A basic sports bra that features as much as 20 oz. of space to hide liquid, and an accompanying straw, the wine-rack is perfect if you don’t mind drinking, uh, body-temperature booze from your own brassiere. They’re commonly sold at places like Urban Outfitters and other novelty stores.
- 7 Hide booze in food bags. While a bottle of Jack Daniels will draw glares if you’re in public, a bag of Doritos usually won’t. If you’re somewhere you can have a cooler and some food handy, use an empty bag of potato chips, or some other snack of choice, to cloak the bottle. Drape it over the liquor upside down, then cut a little hole in the bottom of the bag for the neck to fit through. No one walking by your picnic will be the wiser.
- 8 Mix your drink ahead of time. One of the best ways to hide alcohol in plain sight is mixing up a mixed drink like a rum and coke, or a whiskey and ginger, but doing it in the can or bottle of the soda you’re using as a mixer. The color will be basically the same, the smell won’t be as strong, and you’ll be able to bring sodas with you into most places.
- This works just as well for fountain drinks. If you’ve got a Big Gulp going, spike it and enjoy your mixed drink without hassle.
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- 1 Get past the gate. If you want to sneak some alcohol into an event, or into a location that you’re not supposed to have it, your first goal will be getting through the door. This will vary, depending on the venue itself, but there are a few tips to keep in mind to avoid getting caught before you can even get your drink on.
- To get past the security guard or gate at a dorm, hide booze in a backpack, a packing box, or at the bottom of a big bag of groceries. If you can, split up beers into multiple bags, to avoid that noticeable clinking and clanking. If you’re in a big group, split up, and look grim and humorless, not as if you’re about to party on the down-low.
- To get booze into the movie theatre, pick something that won’t have a strong smell, mixing some liquor into a big bottle of soda or bringing some wine in other sorts of bottles, and sneaking them in purses. Cans or bottles of beer make noise challenges, as well as an awkward trash situation at the end, and straight liquor will have your neighbors crinkling their noses.
- To get alcohol into a festival or music venue and drink on the cheap, it’s important to figure out the security beforehand. Often, bags and purses will be searched, and outside drinks will be confiscated, making the vodka water bottle a no-go. Most venues and festivals, however, won’t frisk people or search people hard, not carrying bags, so it’s a better idea to go the hip-flask route.
- 2 Act natural. If you’re drinking somewhere you’re not supposed to, the number one rule of the day is to chill out. No loud, thumping bass in the dorm room, no yelling while passing the flask down the aisle at the movie, and no conspicuous swigs from your illicit bottle snuck into the concert. Unless you want to get kicked out, you’ve got to treat it like business as usual.
- Ask super-drunk or loud-drunk friends to leave, and cut them off. Aside from being irritating, conspicuous drunks are much more likely to get you caught and attract attention. Make a quiet and calm affair, not a raucous party.
- 3 Use code words with your friends. If you’re drinking in a friend’s basement or dorm room and need to keep the boozy chatter to a minimum, invent code words to use so no wandering resident assistants, nosy neighbors, or little brothers will hear the buzzwords. Instead of shot, say you’re going to take a button, or call a beer a biohazard. It’ll be fun, and you’ll keep it safe.
- 4 Take care of your trash. Sneaking booze into the dry zones is all fun and good until someone leaves a wizard staff of PBR cans out on the floor in plain sight. Whoops. Make sure to keep close tabs on all the garbage and dirty glasses that come from a night of drinking. Cups reeking of vodka are just as likely to get you caught as an empty bottle.
- If you’re in the dorm, try to keep some black plastic garbage bags lying around for just the occasion. You won’t have to worry about sneaking out bottles a few at a time if you’ve got an opaque bag to sneak them out in plain sight.
- 5 Try to drink at an odd hour. Sneaking a couple beers into the movie theatre, or having a beer bash in your dorm room will be a lot easier if you’re doing it during matinee hours, or a Tuesday, as opposed to prime time on a Saturday night. Busy, packed theaters are much more likely to get you caught, and the RA is probably a lot more likely to be on alert during party hours, ready to crash yours. Stay ahead of the game and do it when they’ll least expect it.
- 6 Go early to your event. Some events will have their door security start only when things start to get busier. Going early can have things go more smoothly.
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- 1 Consider your options. Sometimes you might need to hide a quick bottle or two from some judgmental person, but sometimes it might be you who needs to open your eyes and look around. If you’re taking steps to hide alcohol in your own home, this can be a sign of a serious drinking problem. If you’re struggling with alcohol dependence, stop hiding it, admit you have a problem, and seek help immediately, Hiding alcohol won’t help in the long run.
- 2 Hide alcohol in the toilet tank. A cool and out of the way hiding spot for a bottle or two of booze? Try the toilet tank. The water that comes into the back of the tank is clean, meaning you won’t have to worry about germs, and as long as your toilet is running properly, most people are unlikely to open up the tank to take a look.
- You can tie the neck of the bottle to the ball joint in the toilet, to keep it from rattling around much. Make sure the toilet still functions properly, or you’ll get caught more quickly.
- 3 Hide it behind books in your bookcase. If you’ve got a lot of books or DVDs lined up, slip a few bottles behind them, and pull the books to the front of the shelf to create enough space. It’s good feng shui anyway.
- 4 Stuff bottles in your shoes. Winter boots, Uggs, and cowboy boots are perfectly shaped for slotting illicit bottles into. If you’ve got a lot of shoes, you can sneak a bottle or two into them and keep them at the back of your closet for safe-keeping. Just remember where you put them, so you won’t jam your foot in accidentally.
- 5 Hide it at the bottom of your laundry. Most RAs will be unlikely to dig through your dirty laundry to look for contraband. If you need a good place to slip a bottle, try the bottom of the dirty clothes hamper. As long as you’re the one who does your laundry, it’s a solid hiding place.
- 6 Learn the habits of the person who’s looking. If you need to hide booze in your house, try to get a read on the person doing the searching. If an RA comes knocking every Wednesday, don’t worry about finding a hiding place, just get the booze out of there before Wednesday. Problem solved. If your mom cleans your room, start cleaning it yourself so you won’t have to worry about being straightened up on.
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Add New Question
- Question Where else would one hide alcohol in the house? Under beds, dressers, etc. Just stuff the alcohol far back and put something else in front.
- Question How can I hide the smell of alcohol? Take a shower and chew gum or suck on mints to mask the smell. Drinking vodka is your best option because it is mostly odorless.
- Question If made right, how long will a good moonshine last in jars? If it is sealed, it’s good about five years or until you break the seal. Moonshine is lethal; the longer you leave it, the stronger it gets, so just remember that.
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- Sneaking alcohol into dorm rooms, venues, and other places is illegal and can get you kicked out of school and in trouble with the law. Sneak booze at your own risk.
- If you have a drinking problem, don’t hide alcohol. Get help.
Advertisement Article Summary X To hide alcohol, disguise the bottle in an empty food bag, like a chip bag that nobody would question. Alternatively, pour clear vodka or gin into a water bottle, where it will look just like water. You can also put any kind of alcohol into a hip flask, which is small enough to carry in your pocket or purse.
Can you go to a festival sober?
Tips for Staying Sober – Sobriety at a music festival is far from impossible, and it can be a lot of fun. But you’re going to need to arm yourself with a few tips and tricks, particularly if you’re a newcomer to sobriety and need help staying sober.If it’s your first time being completely clean at a music festival, get ready for a unique and new experience.
Does filtering alcohol get rid of the alcohol?
Filtering vodka does work to remove impurities, which can alter the taste – Norris posted a follow-up video confirming that both he and Levanti became intoxicated from the filtered vodka. According to Brita, the company’s filters work by cutting “chlorine taste and odor” as well as reducing “other contaminants.” It won’t, however, change the percentage of alcohol content in the liquor.
More expensive, high-end vodka brands tend to distill their vodka more times compared to cheaper brands, making them taste better generally, according to Thrillist, Putting vodka through a filter could have a similar effect on taste. Dr Kit Chapman, a science writer who has a master’s degree in pharmacy and was previously the editor of Chemistry World, told Insider that the Brita filter removes impurities, which “make it taste a little better,” but it won’t turn cheap or low-grade alcohol into a “premium product.” Chapman also said that filtering alcohol can mean a less severe hangover.
“That’s thanks to removing the congeners, which you find more of in drinks like red wine. Although the biggest factor in that still remains the amount of alcohol you consume,” he said.
Can you sneak alcohol is in a water bottle?
Re-sealing a bottle with the tamper-resistant seal intact can be used to discreetly sneak alcohol or clear liquid into places.
What is the best drink to sneak into a theater?
– It’s the golden age of movies. Oh wait, no, that’s TV. Television has apparently become the new “serious” medium, where we learn hard lessons in which high school chemistry teachers become meth dealers, mythical kingdoms engage in nonstop torture/incest/wedding-crashing, and ridiculously attractive singles still struggle to find love despite being ridiculously attractive.
- And having huge apartments.
- Good for TV, but movies are still happening, mostly because Vin Diesel is an unstoppable force, and nobody’s figured out that Brad Pitt has had little to offer since Twelve Monkeys,
- OK, Moneyball was pretty solid.) And then there’s the fifteenth installment of Paranormal Activity, where the demon eats peanut butter with his demon finger, unapologetically.
And, yes, leaves many cabinet doors open. What a jerk. But before you book your ticket for the remake of whatever decent film they’re going to corrupt into Taylor Swift’s acting debut, here’s a way to guarantee your movie-going experience is still pretty rewarding: smuggle in some booze.
- Sure, sometimes, as in a Charlie Kaufman movie, movies are worth watching entirely sober—otherwise you may miss out on the mind trip that is a Charlie Kaufman movie.
- But if you’re just looking to make the second mandatory viewing of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip a bit less adorably terrifying, you must go the way of smuggling.
(And we don’t mean cheaper candy. Though, damn, do that too. Nobody should be paying $4.95 for Sour Patch Kids.) Don’t Miss A Drop Get the latest in beer, wine, and cocktail culture sent straight to your inbox. Of course, god willing, all upcoming movies star Nicolas Cage and/or a rebooted Katherine Heigl.
Failing that, we’ll take The Revenant (Tom Hardy AND Leo? Old timey frontiersman betrayal drama? Yes please) or Sisters, because Tina Fey and Amy Poehler could make a movie about proper flossing techniques and we’d watch and love it. Either way, if you wanna go in with a bit of boozy back up, here are a few ways how The Massive Purse Method: Chicks, you win here.
And it’s about damn time a lifetime of lugging around massive bags paid off in a fun way. Bottles of wine (with screwcaps, ideally) and even little plastic cups will fit inside. In fact, you could probably fit a spirit and a few mixers in there. The Soda Bottle: Guys, we all know and respect the movie theater rules.
- No smuggling in food or drink from outside, because of course it’s reasonable to charge $5.75 for a “small” 32-ounce soda.
- Twenty-five cents more and you can drink a full 64-ounces of Coke Zero.) But IN the rare event you decide to break the rules, you can pre-mix a nice rum and coke and stuff that thing either into a purse or inside a poofy jacket.
The Flask: A flask is always a good option for sneaking booze into entertainment venues (except for sports arenas, they’re about one step away from full-body cavity searches). Tuck a flask of some nice bourbon or rye whiskey into the interior jacket pocket and enjoy the gentle buzz as you endure yet another rom com.
- Then again, anything with Rebel Wilson is going to be a bit dope.) The Medication: OK, this one is extremely unethical and makes us feel a BIT gross even suggesting it.
- But a bottle of medication is an easy way to store a secret shot.
- If you’re really feeling ill, or going to any movie starring Ashton Kutcher, clearly, you’ll need an extra shot or two.
The Wellies: According to VickyFlipFlopTravels —a name you can trust—you can actually pack mini bottles (of hooch, or maybe some nice Cabbie Sauv?) in a pair of big Wellies. Only problem here, if it’s not raining, you might get some looks. On the other hand, as Vicky testifies, people are way less likely to search your boots.
- The Sunscreen: Apparently a company makes a special sunscreen flask, typically for use at the beach (and who doesn’t want to get drunk before taking on the mighty power of the ocean and sharks?).
- But fill this with the liquor of your choice, and hope people don’t think it’s weird when you’re drinking sunscreen during a movie.
The Tampon: Yup, this is a thing, Not sure we should quite recommend it, because if you’re smuggling at this level, it might be time for some reassessments. That said, they apparently “look like the real thing!” and can be filled with an ounce of your choice of booze.
Just, ladies, since they look so realistic, don’t mistake these for actual tampons. Would make for a weird, weird night. Like the time I saw one of those Pirates of the Caribbean movies after having consumed some.oregano. Either way, bring the right booze, and it’s two thumbs up! Or attempted thumbs up! Because you are drunk now.* *If you do go to the movies and get intoxicated, take a cab or Uber home.
No drunk driving. Plus that way, you can regale the cab driver with your opinions on Helen Mirren’s unapologetically overt sexual energy, Published: December 16, 2015
Which alcohol doesn’t smell after drinking?
Why can’t you smell vodka? – There are other components in wine, beer and co that cause the unpleasant smell. The fewer such components are in the drink, the lower the plume. Because vodka consists almost entirely of water and alcohol and has no odor-threatening components such as so-called fusel oils or aromas, there is hardly a flag of good vodka.
Is clubbing sober fun?
There’s a popular misconception that partying always involves drinking. Contrary to popular belief, life doesn’t have to be boring if you decide to stay sober. If clubbing is something you love to do, you don’t have to give up having fun nights out just because you don’t drink.
It doesn’t matter why you don’t drink. In fact, the ways you decide to party without alcohol can be a lot more interesting. Check out this guide on how to enjoy yourself at a club while you’re sober, and get ready to party at the best clubs in San Diego ! Be Yourself Alcohol is a big part of our culture, but you can have just as much fun without it.
Whether you’re at a club or not, you should always embrace the person you are and who you want to be, with or without drinking alcohol. Besides, most people today are completely cool with other people’s decisions to party sober. If you don’t drink, you can still be as goofy and wild as everyone else, but you’ll have the advantage of avoiding a hangover the next morning.
- Party with Friends Who Won’t Pressure You to Drink To have a good time at the club, you need to feel comfortable around the people you’re with.
- Go out with friends who know you and respect your choice not to drink.
- In fact, it can be a lot of fun if you’re sober while your buds are a little buzzed.
- Get your drunk friends to tell goofy stories and show off their funny dance moves.
Take advantage of the fact that you’re sober and start conversations that get sillier and sillier until everyone is doubled over with laughter. Substitute the quantity of drinks you could put away with quality time grooving to good music on the dance floor.
- Drink Alcohol Alternatives If it feels weird to be at the bar or on the dance floor without a drink in your hand, just order one without the booze to carry and sip from.
- Alcohol substitutes are actually trendy right now, so you don’t have to settle for a boring glass of soda or water.
- There are a ton of fantastic alcohol-free beverages you can choose from.
You can order a yummy mocktail, non-alcoholic beer, ginger beer, and even lemonade flavors like strawberry-basil. Treat yourself—get the bartender to serve your lemonade in a fancy glass with a slice of lemon, a splash of mint, and a tiny umbrella. Make your clubbing experience extra special by going to the area’s top dance club.
San Diego nightclub goers consistently rank Onyx Room as the best nightclub in town. With multiple rooms and various genres, we’re sure to please both first-time and veteran San Diego clubgoers. Whether you’re looking for the best Top 40, urban Latin, or hip hop clubs in San Diego, we have something to please everyone.
Come see for yourself what Onyx has to offer. To join the guest list for the night of your choosing and experience why Onyx Nightclub is the best San Diego nightclub, call us at 619-876-8044.
Is raving sober fun?
January 31: A day when many people will be celebrating a month of abstinence as Dry January comes to an end. Quite right, too. There are various positives to celebrate Anyone who’s successfully quit alcohol for the month is likely to be enjoying various benefits such as better sleep, potentially a little weight loss and a decrease in blood pressure and diabetes risk.
Possibly a few extra quid in the pocket, too (maybe not with the current cost of living) There’s no doubt that spending a month cutting down or cutting out unhealthy habits is a refreshing and empowering way to start a new year, boosting up energy levels, increasing clarity of thought and helping to set new goals.
But is a month really enough time to recalibrate your relationship with a substance that’s so deeply entrenched and tightly woven into so many aspects of life? Especially when you’re working, living and raving in an industry marinated right through with booze, frosted in white powder and liberally sprinkled with multi-coloured hundreds and thousands for good measure. “For me it’s been drink and cocaine, which are two drugs that are too prevalent on the drum & bass scene,” explained Energy, the Overview Music boss in a recent interview on this site, “No one really discusses this, it’s the unspoken side of rave culture and drum & bass culture but it’s unbelievably rife.
- Especially booze.
- People don’t see it as a hard drug but it is.
- Alcohol can destroy people and when you start touring and playing shows it’s so abundant and almost expected of you and it’s so easy to get carried away.” Energy is one of a few artists who’s spoken about dance music’s ‘elephant in the room’ on this site recently.
Last month Dub Phizix touched upon his sobriety and how he’s been t-total for six years in this video interview, It’s a topic tackled in a video interview with London label Militant Music that’s coming up on the channel soon, too. While each case is acutely unique, the message is consistent: cutting down or quitting the popular dance music-related substances has had positive effects on creative output, mental health, wellness and many lifestyle factors in between.
Easier to say than do when you’re in this industry. Super-charged by the boundary-breaking effects of MDMA from the off, dance music culture is frequently characterized, both musically and visually, by the influence of stimulants and psychedelics and is awash with a million ganja samples. It’s where most venues and large-scale events and festivals are financially possible because of the sales of alcohol and where many revellers enjoy immense escapism from the challenges of their daily grind for a few hours as they complement the music with recreational drugs in a sensible and sustainable way.
Just as this is the only sector where intoxication is widely accepted, it’s arguably one of the hardest sectors to apply moderation and abstinence, especially when you compound this with the pressures of social media. “I would say it’s harder to avoid things now than ever before,” says PS1, one of third of the anonymous gold-masked banger merchants CLIQUES, PS1 is a recovered cocaine addict. In a mercifully distant chapter of his life things got as dark as you could possibly imagine, as he reveals in this article.
Cocaine brings confidence and we’re in this social media world where people are putting their lives on display and want to appear confident and on top of their shit and having the best life. Social media is creating even bigger gaps in what people are feeling and the reality of what their life is and I fear many are filling that gap with the cocaine.” For PS1 the reason why one might drink or take drugs is key to this conversation.
“It’s okay to take drugsbut don’t let them take you,” he says. “If you’re taking them to fix something missing inside of you, it won’t fix it. Instead it will take more and more parts away from you so that gap between you and the core problem you’re avoiding becomes bigger and bigger.” Moderation, responsible use and being true to yourself are at the heart of this discussion.
- Whether it’s booze, coke, weed or any other substance that’s rife in this culture and prone to causing prolonged dependency.
- Not putting a little cocktail umbrella in it and making it look pretty, or sweeping it under the carpet and pretending it doesn’t exist.
- The culture, language and dialogue needs to change in order to normalise sobriety and moderation.
It’s already changing. Artists like Camo MC and Mozey are openly talking about their own journey into sobriety and setting an inspiring benchmark, setting a refreshing example to his followers and offering advice, thoughts and support. Artists such as Mozey and Camo MC are certainly not alone.
The How To Dance Sober podcast series is full of insightful perspectives from artists across the whole dance spectrum and a new generation of headliners have been able to cut through the consistent themes of booze and bumps and been successful in exploring sobriety and sharing their insight with their supporters.
“The amount of messages I got from people who could relate or said they were inspired to try the same was mind blowing,” says Frenetic about the time she’d posted about being sober after six booze-free months. “The reaction I had was mad and really made me realise how many people want to change their lifestyle but haven’t been able to yet.
It’s not something I expected but a very nice feeling to know if you’ve been part of helping someone make a positive change.” A more positive slant on the influence of social media, the dialogue artists are having with their supporters about their sobriety marks the start of a new, more responsible exchange which will hopefully lead to a much more progressive approach to all forms of substances and how they’re used.
The so called ‘war on drugs’ isn’t working. Most drug laws, and the implementation of them, only serve to criminalise working class, low income and marginalised groups, and only a handful of countries such as Portugal have progressive policies in place where substances and be controlled and contaminant-free.
It’s down to us as a community to try to encourage the changes we want to see across nightlife, raving and the industry and talk openly and honestly about our lifestyles, celebrate and normalise sobriety and moderation, and be able to identify in ourselves and others when recreational use has turned into dependency and know what to do and how to help.
To get an insight into sobriety and how to maintain a lifestyle in the industry and rave culture, 1 More Thing spoke to three individual artists who have had successful journeys in this way. All at very different ages and career stages, and all with very different relationships with drink or drugs, Frenetic, Billy Daniel Bunter and PS1 from CLIQUES take the time to share their experience and insight Renowned for her hyper-technical mixes and super-tight triple and quadruple drops, Frenetic ‘s high energy style requires a sober mind. “There’s zero room for error,” she nods. “For me I couldn’t do what I do drunk or even on a couple of drinks.” For Frenetic (AKA Lottie Aldridge) the decision to go sober for a year in June 2021 wasn’t down to the DJ lifestyle but rather the times when she wasn’t booked to DJ.
- When I first started DJing I was a student and back then I was a proper drinker and party head, out all weekend every weekend,” Lottie explains.
- Then in 2019 the DJing really started to take off and I started drinking less and partying way less in general.
- It was feeling really good about it.
- Then lockdown happened, I was living in a shared house and started drinking a lot more.
It wasn’t out of control but I was getting blackout drunk quite a lot. That’s not okay.” The anxiety-ridden hangovers Lottie was experiencing the following day weren’t okay either. As we came out of lockdown, she made the decision to quit alcohol for a year.
I thought, ‘Okay I’m turning 26, let’s see what I can achieve being sober.’ I waited four or so months before I went out socially because I wanted to get used to it. But in general it was amazing, I loved it.” During her year of abstinence Lottie found inspiration from David Boyle’s I’m Quitting Alcohol podcast and Gill Stark ‘s book High Sobriety,
“That was really insightful and she suggests how you need to do at least six months sober to really realign your relationship with it and not fall back into bad habits,” Lottie explains. Stark’s suggestion is backed up by this study that compares alcohol sales with Dry January statistics and finds little evidence to suggest one month off drink leading to sustained decline or long-term changes in drinking behaviour. “When my year was over I experimented and saw if I could have a few drinks after my set,” she explains. “But every time I’ve tried the next day I’ve had the most awful hangover and worried about embarrassing myself. It’s like why did I bother?” “Since my sober year has been over, the hardest part has been having the option to drink again,” Lottie continues.
I have that association of going to raves and getting really wrecked. So if I’ve had a few drinks, I go back into that mode again. It’s not worth doing it at all. Plus it’s such reassuring feeling DJing sober. I know I’m going to do the best job I can, I’m not going to make an idiot of myself or get too messy and say or do something stupid and I’m going to get a decent night sleep and wake up without a hangover!” With a packed schedule every weekend and major bookings such as Hospitality On The Beach this summer, Frenetic is striding into what’s shaping up to be her busiest year so far.
Her year of sobriety now seeming lightyears away, it’s left a long-lasting effect on how she works, lives and raves. “I want to be a role model and show people you can have an amazing time sober,” she states. “If the tunes are sick and the company is fun what else do you need?” Follow Frenetic “I just woke up and thought, ‘I’ve had enough of this. I was ballooning and ballooning in weight. I’d pushed the excess; everything involved getting on the piss. Going for meetings? Getting on the piss. Going on holiday? Getting on the piss. Got a driver for my gigs? Let’s get on the piss then! Get into the club and someone pays you money to DJ and gives you loads of booze? Go on then! But the excess of the fun was no longer fun and was becoming problematic” Now entering his 33 rd year as a working DJ, Billy Daniel Bunter celebrated five years of complete sobriety this month.
- He explains how he’s been though various phases; his teens were rife with drug use, his 20s were pretty sober and professional but his 30s were awash with booze and pub culture where he’d easily drop £500 on alcohol a week.
- Was I an alcoholic? No one’s posed that question to me.
- I’d say no, but I’d definitely say I was a binge drinker,” he considers.
“I didn’t wake up and reach for a bottle every morning, but every day I drank. Every single day. Sometimes from 11am, sometimes from 4pm but it was daily.” Various factors led to Bunter’s change of lifestyle. Chronic hangover anxiety was a major element.
- I was still high functioning, I’d get up and still struggle through it and put on raves, write a book, release a record, do all these things.
- But the anxiety was getting worse and worse.
- Basically it’s fun until it stops being fun.” That’s fun with a capital FUN: Bunter’s yarns are a rich weave of dangerous, reactionary and hilarious behaviour.
“I’ve definitely been that character at different points,” says Billy. “It’s like, ‘Oi oi! Let’s book Bunter, he’s gonna be a laugh, he might break into a lorry full of booze or fall over tramlines or do some stupid shit. Let’s give him some money and see what type fun he’ll get us into!” But when the fun stopped, so did he.
- A self-described ‘all or nothing at all’ type of guy, he threw himself into sobriety as eagerly as he applied himself to drinking and has since lost seven stone and put a lot of the money he’s saved on not drinking into founding and running a mental health charity Safe Space Movement,
- The first thing I noticed, though, was that my moods were actually my moods, my feelings were my feelings,” he explains of his journey into sobriety.
“Not being pissed or hungover, you become in control of your moods. It wasn’t like that before. Pre-covid I was putting on 30 – 50 events a year. I was booking 100s of DJs, expecting thousands of people to come to the events. When you’re on that scale you’re going to come across issues and disagreements or situations.
- Standard. Depending on my mood this will go one of two ways.
- I’ll either be down the pub and pissed up and be like, ‘Ah mate, don’t worry about it.’ Or I could be very hungover or pissed and aggressive and all hell breaks loose because I think you’re mugging me off.
- That doesn’t happen anymore.
- Thankfully.” Operating at an even higher output since the hangovers are no longer an issue, he explains how he’s got no regrets about his boozing but is enjoying this sober chapter of his career.
“Just waking up without a hangover is enough for me appreciate this,” laughs Bunter who understand the pressure for the new generation of artists and industry figures coming through. “The buzz of the music and my love for this whole culture thing defines me but I know It’s easy for me to say that because I’ve been through every emotion, been on the top of the flyers, been dropped off the flyers.
All of it. So my experience is different to a 25 year old DJ coming through in this modern world that’s defined by likes and numbers and streams. There’s so much pressure piled on top and on top and on top and on top that in the end the fun is squeezed out of it. You forget why you even wanted to become a DJ or a promoter or whatever.
My advice? Take your time, focus on yourself, always keep your sights set on why you got into this and reach out to old bastards like me for support and advice!” Follow Billy Daniel Bunter Our final contributor to this article is a member a masked trio of dancefloor D&B heavyweights who have taken the scene storm with an endless stream of precision-produced sledgehammers, They also run a fine line in tongue-in-cheek videos featuring cult figure Barry from Eastenders,
- With their tunes being played by some of the biggest DJs in the game, it’s a whole other universe compared to where PS1 was in another chapter of his life.
- I went to my first rave when I was 14 years old and fully immersed myself into the culture of raving from the music to the drugs and everything in between.
I have always been an all-out person and as the years passed the carnage aspect of the lifestyle evolved into full-scale addiction. My life was fully out of control and so many aspects of it were hidden from everyone. Threats, debts and never ending stress were part of everyday life.” “By the time I was 27 things had got so bad I thought, ‘There’s no other way out of this, you’re just going to have to kill yourself,'” PS1 continues.
They say that you can only really start to recover when you hit rock bottom and with a rope purchased and plans in place I was flat out. In a moment for which I am forever thankful for, I decided to go to see my family one last time and show them the nice side or “the old me” so when I killed myself the next day they would have that memory.
This is raw as hell to talk about but it’s where addiction took me” His vice of choice was largely cocaine and other similar stimulants. “To begin with I wasn’t interested in shutting the world out or zoning out or anything,” PS1 explains. “I wanted to be the life and soul of the party.
So coke, pills, speed and of course the relentless drink that came with that. As my life continued to take turn after turn for the worst, all I wanted to do was block everything out. The worst moments for me were when the rave or the after party ended, as I had to go back to the reality of what my life was.
I would do everything I could to avoid that.” PS1 ‘s story is raw and brutal and might seem extreme in comparison with Frenetic ‘s or Bunter ‘s. But understanding how he got into this situation and how vast and widespread cocaine use is now, chances are you know someone who is in danger of following a similar path.
“To begin with it was the confidence thing for me,” he explains. “I come from an amazing and supportive family. I had no issues growing up. But drugs made me feel a confidence that was so out of my grasp in every day reality that I took more and more. Before I knew it I was living a very dark lifestyle in a world of absolute all out chaos.
Addiction, if you let it, will put you in places and in association with people that you need to be at your most mentally strong to deal with, at a time when you are your weakest. It’s a Jekyll and Hyde existence and the best way to describe it is that you petrol bomb your life.” “If there is one thing I want to say in this interview, it’s that if you have that mate who’s taking the most drugs and always looking like the party animal, always pushing the party on Check in on them.
Some people like that are actually party animals and they do it because they love it and have a healthy balance on it. But there are others who are running away from whatever their feelings or life experiences truly are. You’re never going to out run them, it’s like a never ending marathon where you can only stimulate yourself into avoidance to a certain point before you drop” Eventually he stopped running.
His trip to his family led to an intervention and he found himself in rehab days later where he received a terrifying wake-up call. “Our counsellor, who was an ex-bank robber with two fingers missing, saved my life,” he recalls. “There were 15 of us in the room, he looked at us and said, ‘At best one of you will recover and the rest of you will end up in prison or dead.’ Sadly 12 of the guys have passed away since.” While the physical rehab didn’t take PS1 very long to complete, it was the mental and soulful recalibration that took years.
Finding peace of mind and peace of self through meditation, daily exercise and supportive family members and friends, he is now in a place in life he never could have dreamt of during the dark times. “I’ve now got the most amazing relationship with my family and friends who were on that journey and that’s something really important for me to get across,” he explains.
“If you’re feeling isolated and completely disconnected from everyone because of addiction then please know that all is not lost. When people see you’re working on yourself and you’re doing everything you can then they’ll back you more than you could ever appreciate.
It’s beautiful when you get to a point when you’ve got people’s trust and love back.” Now part of a formidable and unique drum & bass act and a new chapter as a father awaiting him this year, PS1 has never been more at peace with his life and fulfilled by his output, but he’ll never be complacent about it.
“I know I’m not always going to feel confident or always feel happy,” he offers. “No one’s life is like that anyway. It’s about an inner peace and an acceptance that, ‘This is who I am and when problems come along I’m not going to try and fix them with drugs or take drugs to ignore the problems.
You have to understand the boundaries in which you can live well and live by those self set rules militantly. Everyone’s recovery is different, I know the things I can and can’t do now and the situations I can put myself in and the others that I can’t. “Learning to be kind to myself and only do things for the right reasons in every aspect of life has helped beyond words.
Some people need to completely abstain from drugs and alcohol to live the life they want. Other people need to focus more on the life experiences or trauma that made them take excessive drugs and if they can find peace with that, they can take a different path.
- The most important thing is to be aware of what is driving your decisions in that lifestyle.
- Put yourself and your health first always, you deserve it” Wherever you’re at with substance use and sobriety, that’s golden advice full stop.
- Huge love and respect to PS1 for reclaiming his own life and rebuilding it in the way he has.
Follow CLIQUES 1 More Thing wants to thank PS1, Frenetic and Billy Daniel Bunter for taking the time to share their experiences and thoughts and honesty. These type of trappings of the industry aren’t an easy topic but as many sober artists have shown, and have become increasingly vocal about, is that rave culture is just as much fun without drink or drugs and that support is there for anyone looking to rebalance their rave lifestyle.
Can you be sober at a rave?
The rise of the sober rave is apparent all around the world and Ibiza is no exception. Many people are starting to realize that partying sober can be just as fun as partying with alcohol, and we wanted to put together a guide for the non-drinkers visiting the island that still love to hit up the dancefloor.
- In recent years, more and more people are saying no to overpriced alcohol, dodgy 6AM taxi rides, and post-party hangovers.
- Instead, they’ve decided they don’t need substances to come together to dance, socialize, and have fun.
- It’s a way to enjoy the music and the atmosphere without the negative side effects that inevitably follow.
Above all else music is the reason we do this. Strangely, however, when you tell someone that you don’t drink, they suddenly assume that you don’t enjoy partying anymore. Yet often, this most definitely isn’t the case. There are plenty of articles out there about how to have a ‘chilled holiday in Ibiza’ or ‘the other side of Ibiza’ (do they mean the North?!). We’ve even got a guide for ” All Things Hippy in Ibiza ” if you fancy a read. But, they don’t cater to those that still want to party on the White Isle and value their livers.
How to pretend to drink wine?
Download Article Download Article Do you find yourself in situations in which social drinking is expected? If you can’t or don’t drink for any reason, the best option is to simply tell your friends and acquaintances. But if you don’t feel comfortable with this, there are a few ways to make it appear to others that you’re drinking alcohol without actually having to.
- 1 Order a mocktail. If you’re at a bar, order a mocktail by simply asking for any special alcoholic drink to be made “virgin.” For example, ask for a “virgin pina colada” or a “virgin margarita.” Or, simply ask for a drink like the Shirley Temple, which is a non-alcoholic cocktail made with citrus soda and grenadine.
- 2 Get a soda instead of a mixed drink. Order any kind of soda at the bar, which will look the same as a mixed alcohol drink. Order Coke to look like a rum and Coke, or get Sprite or soda water to look like a gin and tonic or vodka tonic, for example. Ask for a straw, too, and a lemon or lime wedge if it’s a clear soda. You may also want to ask for it in a short glass. Advertisement
- 3 Order a ginger ale to look like beer. Ask for a ginger ale, without ice, in a pint glass to make it appear like a draft beer.
- 4 Order a non-alcoholic beer. Ask for a non-alcoholic beer at the bar, and have them pour it into a glass so people don’t see the label.
- 5 Drink grape juice to look like wine. Order or pour your own apple or white grape juice into a wine glass to look like white wine, regular grape juice to look like red wine, or sparkling white grape or pear juice to look like champagne.
- 6 Drink soda or juice in a bottle. If you’re at friend’s house or house party, bring along a regular soda, juice, or tea bottle and drink from that, explaining to anyone who asks that it’s mixed with alcohol.
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- 1 Pour out a beer and fill it with water. Take a beer bottle or can with you to a restroom and dump the contents down the sink or toilet. Then refill it with water from the tap and drink that instead. No one will be able to see the difference through the brown bottle or metal can.
- Be sure to rinse the bottle or can out at least once before you fill it with the water you intend to drink, to get rid of any residual alcohol in the bottle or can.
- 2 Slowly empty a drink. If you have an alcoholic drink, hold onto it and, very occasionally, find opportunities to get rid of a small amount at a time. Pour some into the sink in the bathroom, a trash can nearby, or someone else’s finished drink cup. Don’t get rid of too much at a time, or leave too often to empty it.
- Put your mouth to the drink occasionally without actually drinking any so it doesn’t look suspicious that your drink is disappearing on its own.
- Tell a friend (or several), “Mmm, this is good, try this!” and have them take a sip so your drink disappears faster.
- 3 Spit alcohol into another bottle. If you have a drink with alcohol, keep a water, soda, or tea bottle nearby. Take a sip of the alcoholic drink, but hold it in your mouth without swallowing. Keep it there for at least 30 seconds, then pretend to drink from the other bottle, instead backwashing the alcohol into it at the end. Explain that you’re just trying to hydrate and avoid a hangover, if anyone asks.
- 4 Fake taking a shot. If you’re offered a shot of alcohol, pour it out in a trash can, plant, or empty cup when no one is looking or while others are doing their shots. Hold your hand around the shot glass to disguise that there’s nothing in it, then pretend to take the shot.
- If you can’t get away with pouring the shot out, take it but don’t swallow it. Reach for a soda bottle (preferably your own personal one) and pretend to drink from it as a chaser, backwashing the alcohol from your mouth instead.
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- Question Will people be fooled if I bring a flask filled with water and pour some into my drink? They might be, but you run the risk of someone asking to taste it. If they ask to smell it, just tell them it’s vodka, which is pretty much odorless.
- Question How can I make sweet tea look like a tropical drink? If it’s in a glass, put an ounce or so of grenadine in the bottom, and then use a spoon to gently pour the tea over top of the grenadine.
- Question I work at a nightclub where I get paid to party. I’m short and dislike the taste of alcohol. Clients order both their drink and mine. How do I get a soda without being mistaken for an underage person? If you know what they are ordering for you or they order the same one every time for you, try to find a soda that has a similar color and when they are not looking, or when you go to the bathroom, hurry and throw the alcohol and switch it with the soda. Otherwise, be straight up and tell them you’re straight when it comes to drinking and only want non-alcoholic drinks.
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- If you need an excuse for why you’re not drinking, say you’re driving that night, you’re taking medication that you can’t mix with alcohol, or you have to get up early the next morning. You will have to come up with new excuses if you continue to use them with the same friends.
- Act like you’ve been drinking, too, by talking a little louder, laughing more, or dancing. Keep it subtle without overdoing it; a good level of drunk or tipsy behavior is matching whatever those around you are doing. Chances are that the fun, loud actions of others who are drinking will almost be contagious, making you act more like them naturally.
- It’s always easier to just tell peers that you’re not drinking rather than go through the work of pretending. Most people are understanding and don’t mind if someone chooses not to drink.
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- Don’t let anyone pressure you to drink alcohol. If it’s someone you consider a friend, maybe they are not such a good friend after all if they’re trying to force you to do something you can’t or don’t want to do.
- People can get upset if they catch you lying or pouring out alcohol, especially if they paid for it. Choosing not to accept a drink and being truthful about opting for something non-alcoholic is safer.
- If you are a minor under the legal drinking age, you can get into serious trouble for drinking alcohol or even being at a party or bar where alcohol is served.
- If you fake drinking alcohol, there is always a risk that you’ll get caught and you won’t be able to, believably, explain your way out of it. If this happens, admit that you lied, apologize, and say that you’re actually not a drinker.
Advertisement Article Summary X To pretend to drink alcohol, try pouring out your drink and replacing it with water if you’re drinking out of a can or dark bottle. Or, if you’re drinking something out of a clear glass, slowly empty your drink when no one is paying attention so it looks like you’ve been drinking it.
How do you hide non-alcoholic wine?
When everyone’s drinking but you’re expecting: tips for keeping your pregnancy a secret in boozy social situations Katie Burk Contributing writer Finding out you’re pregnant is such an exciting time, but as soon as I learned that I was expecting, I also instantly felt pressure to keep my news a secret during much of the first trimester. At one of my first appointments, when I was just 4-weeks pregnant, I asked my doctor who it would be okay to share my news with.
She told me the decision was completely up to me but recommended I only tell people that I would also be comfortable sharing with if I happened to lose the pregnancy. So, for me, I decided to tell only my immediate family and best friends early on, because I knew if anything bad were to happen, I would want to turn to these loved ones for support.
And I wanted to wait until I was 12 weeks along to continue sharing my exciting news with others. But in the meantime, my baby was healthy and growing, my life was carrying on, and I had plenty of social events to attend. Throughout my first trimester, I felt the most pressure to hide my pregnancy when I was out with my friends and plenty of people were drinking.
- I’m 30-years-old and alcohol is often present when my friends and I gather for various functions, so it’s become the norm to assume something’s up — and that someone’s probably expecting — when one of us isn’t drinking.
- Even I’ve been guilty of speculating when my friends don’t drink, and my friends were certainly very suspicious when it was finally my turn.
If you’re in the same boat as I was in and trying to figure out how to keep your baby news hush-hush in social situations while you’re waiting to share the news more widely, then fear not — I’ve got you covered! First off, don’t feel guilty for “lying” to your friends about not sharing your news during the first few months.
- Once you’ve reached the point when you feel comfortable sharing, your loved ones will completely understand why you didn’t tell them.
- Second, have fun with it! This is a special time for you and your partner, and sometimes it’s nice simply sharing the moment with just the two of you.
- My best advice to any parent-to-be is to not stress over hiding your news, but to instead have fun playing a little game of “Undercover Baby.” Non-alcoholic wine: Did you know many liquor stores sell this? I had no clue! My drink of choice is always red wine, so I knew in order to trick my friends into believing I wasn’t pregnant, I’d have to drink something that looked like wine.
I found that big-box wine and liquor stores sold a plethora of non-alcoholic wines. The best way to fool your friends with fake wine is by taking a real bottle of wine, dumping it, then pouring the fake stuff into it. I’ll be honest, it’s not very tasty, but this was a great tactic for helping me hide my secret.
Non-alcoholic beer: Non-alcoholic beer is an excellent tool for secrecy. And there are some delicious beer dupes that taste almost like the real thing! If you’re super sneaky like me, I suggest packing a few in your purse before heading to an event where you’d normally be drinking. Once you arrive, pour a real beer into a cup or order a real beer at the bar, take a fake sip, then head to the bathroom and dump the real beer in the toilet and pour your O’Doul’s into the cup.
It’s as simple as that, and no one will ever know! Just don’t forget your bottle opener. Bathroom pours: Speaking of trips to the bathroom, this is another great resource for fake drinking. If you don’t feel like using non-alcoholic beverages to fool your friends, then order a regular cocktail and don’t actually drink it.
- Instead, bring it with you to the restroom and pour a little out when you go.
- Utilize your partner: Since you’re eating for two, let your partner drink for two.
- Go about your normal way of ordering a beverage and stealthily hand the drink to your significant other and let them enjoy.
- Then, the next day, you both will likely be dealing with “morning sickness.” Or, have your husband go to the opposite end of the bar, order you something such as club soda and cranberry, then bring you your mocktail.
Make sure you ask for a regular cocktail glass because sometimes they’ll give you a larger glass for sodas, which could give you away to particularly eagle-eyed friends. Getting creative: My friend, Kate, may have had the best idea by saying she was drinking Moscow mules.
Instead, her drink actually consisted of just ginger beer, limes, and mint, but you’d never know because the mule cups are copper. It was brilliant! Arriving early: If you’re going to a group setting, such as a birthday dinner, arrive to the restaurant early. Explain your situation to the hostess and make sure the waiter or waitress knows to pour you mocktail versions of whatever you’re ordering.
For example, you order a mimosa, they’ll already know to bring you just orange juice and club soda. Again, it won’t taste great, but your victory sure will. Say you’re sick: If you’re prescribed to certain meds like antibiotics, drinking is highly discouraged.
- This isn’t the most creative tactic, but you can always tell your friends that you can’t drink because of a prescription.
- Doctor’s orders! Having a confidante: If you have a close friend you’ve entrusted with your news, it can help to have someone else besides your partner to help you mask your pregnancy.
My go-to confidante was my best friend, Rachel, who denied pregnancy rumors whenever she was asked and helped me pull off rocking mocktails at a bridal shower.
It’s definitely tough if you decide to keep your special news a secret for the first 12 weeks or so, but the first trimester will fly by and you’ll be in your second before you know it! And remember that there’s no right or wrong when determining whether or not you should share your news right away or keep it hidden for a little while, so just trust your instincts and stick with whatever works best for you. About the author
Katie Burk is an Atlanta-based blogger and journalist. She’s expecting her first child in April – a little girl. You can follow along with her pregnancy journey through her blog,, You can also keep up with Katie on Instagram:, : When everyone’s drinking but you’re expecting: tips for keeping your pregnancy a secret in boozy social situations
What happens if you try to sneak into a festival?
Generally, sneaking into an event without a ticket is considered a form of trespassing and can result in a citation, fine, or arrest. The severity of the punishment can depend on factors such as the value of the ticket, the level of security at the event, and the specific laws of the jurisdiction.