1. The Classic Water Bottle
Let’s start with the most obvious. The legend of handbag vodka in a water bottle as a method of sneaking alcohol into festivals dates back to your nan’s mum’s days. So, festival organisers are well-wise to an Evian bottle full of gin these days. But, If you can make the bottle look like it’s never been opened, you might be in with a better chance of sneaking it in.
2. Sunscreen Bottles
To smuggle alcohol using sun cream, just empty it and fill it with the booze of your choice. The best part is, unlike with water bottles, you don’t have to stick to clear liquids! If you want to be really sneaky, just put the alcohol in a freezer bag and push it right down to the bottom of the bottle and put a bit of sun cream in over the top. Then, even if security does open it up and sniff it, you’re in with a better chance of smuggling your booze in. Either use your own or buy a set of two hidden flasks off of Amazon.3. Binoculars
Imagine this: you’re all crammed to the back of a massive crowd, desperate to see the stage but unable to squint 400 yards. Fortunately, bringing a pair of binoculars to a festival will solve this minor inconvenience. Even better, you can just barge to the front with a pair of fake binoculars and your favourite liqueur in hand.4. A Pringles Tin
5. Sleeping Bags
For the boring festival fanatics out there who are going to stand at the back all day, moan that it’s cold and head back to the tent before it gets dark, there’s always the sleeping bag roll. Simply place a large spirit bottle at the bottom of your sleeping bag and roll it up tight. Few people are going to squeeze hard enough to feel that there is a bottle inside. Simple. Easy. Effective. The least exciting method on the list…6. Tampon Flasks
Let’s be real. No one wants to inspect your tampon. So we can all rest assured that no security will be ripping our tampons open to check for gin. These easy-to-fill tampon flasks hold a fluid ounce each and come with leakproof caps to avoid any unwanted spillages. Men, you can use this trick too and just play it off like you’re a wonderful boyfriend who keeps his ladies’ feminine hygiene products on hand. Just don’t bring a whole bag full, because that will certainly raise a red flag.7. Don’t bring in booze at all
FAQs on Smuggling Alcohol into UK Festivals
Festivalgoers often use fake sunscreen bottles, empty water containers, tampon flasks, or hidden compartments in Pringles cans and sleeping bags to sneak alcohol in. Other subtle hacks include soaking sweets in spirits or using fruit injected with alcohol for a more discreet option.
Smuggling alcohol into areas where it’s prohibited—such as the main arena—can breach festival rules. While bringing a limited amount for personal use is usually fine in campsites, hiding alcohol to avoid restrictions is not allowed and may lead to confiscation or removal from the event.
Festivals like Download and Glastonbury allow you to bring a reasonable amount of alcohol into their campsites, though glass is usually banned. However, most prohibit taking alcohol into the main arena. Policies vary, so check your festival’s terms before you go.
Yes. If you’re caught hiding alcohol in restricted areas, security staff may confiscate it or deny you entry. Repeat offenders or serious breaches can lead to being removed from the event entirely. Most festivals conduct bag checks and searches on entry.
Instead of smuggling, some attendees bring alcohol-soaked sweets or fruits, though these should still comply with entry rules. Others stick to campsite drinking and buy drinks inside the arena. Ultimately, checking the festival’s alcohol policy is the safest move.
