Drink Covers: A Proactive Solution to the Drink Spiking Crisis 

_{Pranil Chandra  | 05/06/2024} 

For bar managers, nightclub owners and large event organisers, nothing matters more than the safety of their patrons.

One of the biggest threats to the social scene in recent years is drink spiking. Such a colossal problem has caused the hospitality sector to think differently and get ahead of the curve; thankfully, protective glass covers have emerged as the hero to prevent drink spiking from spiralling further out of control.

Today’s article looks at anti-spike covers in detail, including what’s happening in our bars, why these drink covers matter for your patrons and your brand, and how Rentons Labels has developed the perfect answer to the collective fight against drink spiking.

Drink Spiking Crisis: What is Happening in our Clubs and Bars?

You’ve probably heard numerous reports about how drink spiking is on the rise in Australia and other countries like the UK. And it’s no moral panic. Rather, it’s an alarming trend based on facts, and one that potentially only tells half the story with many spiking incidents not officially reported to the police.

The reasons behind the trend range from occasional childish pranks between friends to more sinister motivators like theft or personal assault. Unintentional or otherwise, it’s a serious breach of safety that can have a devastating effect on the person spiked, physically and mentally.

While it’s become a major issue at large-scale events, it's also happening in smaller bars and venues, which means everyone involved in serving drinks to guests – from boutique bars to several-thousand-strong crowds at concerts – must understand the crisis and work hard to help combat it.

It has led to critical action by label manufacturers to prevent drink spiking from getting any worse or indeed, reversing the situation altogether.

One solution to the problem is the drink protector, a physical cover designed to sit on top of a glass and prevent substances from unknowingly finding their way into the drink.

And while one drink cover alone might seem like a drop in the ocean, collectively, millions of drink protectors across thousands of bars, clubs and events can help win the war on spiking.

Why it Matters: Benefits of Drink Covers to Stop Spiking

Primarily, this is about Safety.

At the end of the day (or even during the day, if yours is a daytime do), people go to bars, clubs or parties to have fun. It’s a place to let their hair down, dance, and socialise with like-minded people. Not one guest goes along thinking, “This is going to be a terrible night that will change my life forever”.

In reality, just one spiking can damage an individual’s evening – and, depending on the outcomes, it can ruin their very existence.

As the person or member of a team responsible for patron safety, you’re accountable for doing all you can to provide a safe space for your guests. The drinks cover goes a long way to ensuring patron safety remains intact from the moment people enter the door to when they leave. And if you value your business, this isn’t too difficult a step to implement as part of your broader safety policy.

Which leads us to point two: Reputation.

Whether you’re a late-night bar owner used to attracting a steady crowd week after week or someone tasked with staging large one-off events, your reputation is everything. Once word gets around about a major safety issue at your venue or event – and that’s precisely what a spiking incident is - people won’t want to attend.

While your security team can’t possibly be everywhere at your event venue, you can ensure drink covers go onto each glass to provide peace of mind to patrons and anyone considering joining in the fun. Tell people about your commitment to their safe drinking on your marketing channels, and you’ll gain a reputation for all the right reasons.

This, of course, helps fuel point three: your ongoing business.

With a strong reputation for safety intact, the patrons will keep on coming. They’ll tend to say favourable things about you on social feeds, too. The positive reviews continue to spread, and your name now goes before you, with more people keen to party at your place than ever before.

This presents even more opportunities for business growth through new ventures elsewhere. How about marketing your other events or venues through the drink protectors themselves? Like a coaster once did underneath a glass, now you can use what’s on top of it as a marketing platform to support your digital marketing strategy, spreading the word through every drink. Or open the offer to other brands to use your glass tops for marketing purposes, creating a new revenue stream for your business.

Drink Covers: The Superhero for Safer Drinking?

It seems that the drink cover that stops spiking could be the unknown hero our bars, nightclubs, and large events were looking for. Several manufacturers would likely agree.

Since the drink cover first emerged, a few variations have made their way onto the market, designed to make drinking safe and enjoyable for people when socialising.

The most common types of drink covers are:

• Disposable stickers: A simple but effective one-use drink cover that attaches to the glass rim to protect the drink
• Reusable silicone lids: A device to use, wash and re-use again on repeat
• Fabric drink covers: Another reusable option that stretches to sit on top of a glass

All these options work similarly to prevent drink spiking. Most come with a slit for a straw to push through and are easy to lift on one side to drink directly from the glass.

While all viable options in terms of safety, there are some things to be aware of when it comes to their application.

For instance, reusable drink covers are handy for patrons to carry in a pocket or handbag and apply themselves. Yet they are not so practical for the person serving drinks at a bar, as washing and reapplying the cover requires additional work. It’s also difficult to vouch for the ongoing safety of a device when it’s used repeatedly.

On the other hand, disposable drink covers present an entirely different option. These peel-off style stickers are safe, hygienic and easy for bar staff to use on hundreds to thousands of drinks in a single shift.

• As a peel-off sticker, disposable covers are quick to apply in busy bars
• The stickers can’t be tampered with between their removal and application to the glass
• Disposable stickers are easy to use, saving bar workers time and effort

Disposable Drink Covers from Rentons Labels

As a leader in custom label printing for the product packaging industry, Rentons Labels is committed to fighting drinks spiking and helping Australian venues and events spaces become safer, happier environments for patrons.

Why choose Rentons Labels?

• Our disposal drink protectors for bars are made from food-grade adhesives and are ideal for safe use in the food and drinks industry.
• Delivered on rolls of 500 or 1000 labels, they are easy for bar staff to ‘peel and apply’, glass after glass (after glass...), protecting the drinks within from contamination.
• Produced using recyclable materials, our labels won't increase your carbon footprint
• Our customers can create any design for the drink cover to help amplify their brand message, printed to a high quality and finished in matte or gloss.
• Easy online ordering and quick 7-day delivery helps our customers achieve their safety goals quickly and effectively.

Since their development, customers including state police departments have embraced our anti-spiking covers in venues across Australia.

As part of a broader safety strategy, these drink covers are helping improve people’s lives and giving them peace of mind while they socialise. They also give that same peace of mind to event organisers and bar managers who work hard to preserve their patrons’ safety.

By proactively embracing this drink-spiking prevention tool, you can ensure your business or event - and those who attend it - the greatest opportunity for fun without fear.

Order drink protectors

Do you want to learn more about Renton Labels drink covers to protect spiking?

For more information or to place an order, speak with our team.

_{Pranil Chandra  | 05/06/2024 | Label Printing - General Knowledge,Label Design Tips,Packaging Labels,Colours for Labels,General,Blog}