Cheltenham revellers were snapped getting into the spirit of things yesterday – with some racegoers spotted chugging booze out of some rather interesting containers.
One woman was photographed drinking from a flask shaped like a hairbrush, while another, who appeared to be in the same group, opted for a flask shaped like a pair of binoculars.
It came yesterday, during day two of the four-day racing event, which has faced some criticism from attendees over the cost of drinks.
Mail Sport revealed earlier this week that racing fans were left reeling after Cheltenham bosses hiked the price of Guinness on the racecourse by 30p, making a pint £7.80.
A premium lager costs 40p less than a Guinness at £7.40, while the alcohol free version of the Irish stout is valued at the same price.
But these revellers got creative in order to avoid expensive drink prices at the racecourse, opting for their covert drinkware.
It isn’t the first time racegoers have been spotted using covert ways to bring their own drinks into the event.
A video from 2019 shows one woman also using a binocular-shaped flask as she took surreptitious sips of what was presumably an alcoholic beverage.
One racegoer was snapped using a flask shaped like a pair of binoculars at Cheltenham yesterday
Flasks disguised as hairbrushes are just one of the sneaky ways people can take their own drink into events
Another way people can dodge the expensive booze prices is to use what looks like binoculars – but is actually a flask
While the fake binoculars are hairbrush are impressive ways to avoid sky high drinks prices at events, they are far from the only options when it comes to imaginatively-shaped flasks.
Among the other options available for those keen to save money when attending events are flasks which look just like umbrellas – but are actually bottles.
What looks like the handle of an umbrella is actually the bottle lid, and the body of the flask is concealed within what looks like an umbrella sleeve.
Those who don’t want to tote a fake umbrella around with them may prefer another option – what looks like a neat little clutch bag.
However, appearances are deceptive, and the small quilted silver purse is actually designed to secretly stash drinks.
Those looking for something even more subtle could try out another nifty item – fake tubes of what look like sunscreen – but are also secret flasks.
Perhaps the most unexpected way to beat the high prices and sneak booze into an event comes in the form of a fake tampon.
Wrapped in a sleeve and carried in a cardboard box which says tampons on it, so it looks just like one of the sanitary objects, the item is actually a small bottle – excellent for secreting drinks.
Would-be party fans looking for another way to sneak in some booze could try these fake umbrellas
Another option is this clutch bag, which looks like a quilted purse, but is actually a container for booze
One of the more subtle options for people looking to save money on their drinks are these fake sunscreen tubes, which can be filled with booze
Another very subtle option when it comes to sneaking tipple into events is this fake tampon
Alternatively, revellers may prefer to fill up one of these phony cameras with the tipple of their choice
And finally, there are also flasks which are shaped like cameras, but are in fact, empty, so that would-be revellers can fill them up with the tipple of their choice.
The sneaky ways punters have been bringing drinks into the Cheltenham Festival come after attendees have complained about the prices of both alcohol and soft beverages.
While Guinness costs £7.80 a pint, a ‘zero’ alcohol pint of Guinness sets back thirsty consumers to the tune of £7.40.
Meanwhile, a 330ml bottle of alcohol-free lager demands £4 of any wannabe slurpers.
The pricing has split opinion online, with some fun-seekers in uproar over ‘blatant profiteering’ while others insist it isn’t that bad.
‘There’s no duty to pay on Guinness Zero yet it’s the same price as alcoholic Guinness – kerching,’ one user wrote on X.
‘Blatant profiteering as there’s no duty on 0.0,’ another said.
‘£7.40 for a pint of black water,’ one commented, adding three laughing emojis.
‘Give it 4-5 years and the alcohol industry will be finished and they’ll only have themselves to blame,’ added another.
‘The 0% is taking the mick,’ one said.
But other thinkers insisted that such pricing was par for the course for a major event.
‘Jeez these people complaining about £7.40 for a pint want to try a music festival or football match,’ one hit back.
‘That’s not bad for an event,’ another added.
While many X users were horrified by the prices of drinks, others suggested that they were ‘not bad’ for an event
The attack on non-alcoholic prices comes just a day after festivalgoers lambasted the regular alcoholic fares.
Despite predicted record sales of Guinness this year, Cheltenham bosses have decided to increase the price of the popular bevarage by 30p, charging punters £7.80.
One fan shared a receipt for a round of four Guinness with Mail Sport, coming to the cost of £31.20.
Wine lovers will be disappointed to find out that a 187ml costs £9.70, while the prices of spirits are kept between £7.20 and £7.30.
Soft drinks are priced at £3.10, while sparkling or still water would cost £2.50 – a 10 pence increased compared to last year.
Guy Lavender, Chief Executive of Cheltenham Racecourse, said: ‘Despite being impacted by the rising price of goods and services in the current climate in exactly the same way that other industries and businesses are, the price of a pint at the Cheltenham Festival had not increased since 2022 until this season.
‘When considering how to price food and drink we benchmark against comparable venues locally, while also factoring in any associated costs like temporary facilities and increased staffing to cater for significantly larger crowds. As part of the review of this year’s Festival and with next season in mind we will be looking again at pricing on course.’