You’ve already bought your neoprene wellies and portable power bank, it’s now time to turn your attention to your booze. But with so many restrictions, how do you know which festival drinks are cool and which are a no-go?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
We’ve got the lowdown on the best booze to bring to festivals, clever hacks to keep your drinks nice and cold, and tips on how to dodge those pesky alcohol rules without getting on the wrong side of the festival fun police.
But first; should you load up in advance, or buy your booze on site?
Load up before or buy on site?
Hold the phone - festival booze is expensive? Glastonbury admits that its prices are similar to those found in London pubs, according to the Somerset County Gazette. Beer and cider start at £6.50, while wine is £7.75 for a 175ml glass and £30 for a bottle. A single spirit and mixer combo is £7.75.
Download, Reading, and other major UK festivals are priced in the same ballpark. So, unless you want to drain your student loan or ask your parents for cash, buying your booze in advance is the sensible option.
Don’t fancy paying £7.75 for a generic gin & tonic this summer? Check out our
What's the best alcohol for festivals?
Whichever booze you choose for your summer festival, know that glass bottles are a no-no at all UK sites. So, plastic and cans for the win.
Alcopops are a winner at festivals, as they’re light, breezy, and give you a buzz. Whether you’re on the Hooch hunt or value VK, we offer delicious flavours in plastic bottles and cans, perfect for your summer celebrations.
Alcopops are easy festival drinks that are a great alternative to beer and a simpler option than bringing a spirit and mixer to the dance floor.
Check out our canned cocktails range, including gourmet flavours from GATHER and effortless sophistication with be. cocktails.
How to keep drinks cold at a festival?
The key to keeping your Hooch cold at Glasto this summer without breaking the bank is a cheap foil blanket and a plastic wash basin.
When you arrive on site, fill your basin with cold water and drop your drinks inside. Then, cover the basin with a foil blanket and keep it out of the sun (ideally out of your tent, too).
While your drinks might not be ice cold, they will be chilled, and your fellow partygoers will cast envious glares at you while necking warm Carling. Dreamy.
Another, less budget-friendly option? Buy a top-tier chiller and place the ice blocks in the freezer before setting off on your trip.
This will keep your tins and plastic bottles super chilled, provided your mate doesn’t forget to put the top back on after reaching for a cold one (writing from experience).
Other crucial festival survival tips
Okay, we’ve covered the booze. Here are some other top festival tips that will keep you on the ball throughout the weekend:
- A refillable water bottle is an ESSENTIAL item: Don't pay £2 or £3 for a bottle of water at a festival. Bring your bottle from home and top up at the rehydration stations whenever you like. This sounds like a little thing, but it’s a big win: It helps you stay hydrated and keeps your cash in your pocket at the same time.
- Pack snacks over food that needs to be prepared: Light and alcohol-friendly snacks like crisps, nuts, and cereal bars are ideal. You don’t want to cook at a festival, even if it seems like a good idea in advance. Snack your way through the day and fork out for ready-made food at one of the dozens of vendors when you’re ready to eat a meal – it will save you lots of time and hassle.
- Pack baby wipes: One of the worst things about summer festivals is the long shower queues. While you might want to brave it on one of the nights, baby wipes are a godsend if you can’t be bothered to queue for hours to have a wash.
The verdict - Buy in advance, be reasonable & stay hydrated
Bottom line: stock up on your booze before you hit the festival grounds—your wallet will seriously thank you. Just don’t bring anything in glass bottles unless you’re cool with it getting confiscated at the gate.
We stock many affordable festival drinks in plastic bottles and cans, from alcopops to gin and tonic. For example, get
Also, as we explain in our FAQs below, each major festival has its own rules regarding alcohol on site. But they all agree that anything “unreasonable” will be taken away. So, keep it real and don’t arrive with an off-license in your bag.
And last but not least—drink water, folks. Bring a reusable bottle, mix in some H2O between the boozy stuff, and maybe even throw in some rehydration salts for good measure. Your future self (and your hangover) will appreciate it.
FAQs
What drinks can I take to Glastonbury Festival?
You can take alcohol into Glasto, but only in plastic or metal bottles, as no glass bottles are permitted on site. You also should be mindful that only quantities of alcohol deemed “reasonable” by gate authorities will be permitted. In other words, don’t overdo it.
What drinks can I take to Download Festival?
Download Festival has pretty strict regulations regarding how much alcohol can be brought on site. Anyone 18+ can bring alcohol into the campsite areas at Download, but in the main arena, only on-site alcohol is permitted. Also, you’re limited to 24 cans of alcohol, a three-litre box of wine, or 70cl of spirits in a plastic or metal vessel.
What drinks can I take to Reading & Leeds Festival?
The Reading & Leeds Festival organisers state that alcohol for personal consumption can be taken into the campsite areas, but not to the main site. Again, like Download and Glastonbury, don’t overdo it, as an over-zealous security guard might relieve you of your load if you try to wheel in a trolley full of beer!
