DRINKS TOKENS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

DRINKS TOKENS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

This article explains the rules around using drinks tokens at ICU and external venues, including what funding can and can't be used to subsidise alcohol at your events.

Why This Matters

The rules around drinks tokens exist to make sure your club or society's financial resources are spent in a way that benefits your whole membership, not just those who drink. We want to help you run sustainable, inclusive events that work for everyone.

The Golden Rule

No self-generated income, including membership fees, previous event surplus, or any ICU funding, may be spent on alcohol.

What Funding Can Be Used for Alcohol

Sponsorship income or departmental funding that has not been allocated for a specific purpose can be used to subsidise alcohol packages, but only within the following limits:

• Up to 75% of the cost of an alcoholic drinks package can be subsidised
• Up to 100% of the cost of a non-alcoholic drinks package can be subsidised
• The remaining cost must be covered by ticket income; events that subsidise alcohol packages must be ticketed

IMPORTANT: No sponsorship agreement or departmental funding that explicitly mentions or lists alcohol will be accepted. If your sponsorship deal references alcohol in any way, it cannot be used to subsidise drinks.

NOTE: All expenditure and income must be detailed in an event budget submitted via the Union's finance system. This must include details of any sponsorship or departmental income being used for the event.

Events at ICU Venues

ICU venues are our recommended option for events involving drinks packages, and here's why:

• We're accessible and well-supported. Full-time staff are available throughout your event, with infrastructure in place to support student wellbeing and safety
• Costs are kept low. ICU venues operate low-cost drinks packages, which keeps the amount of sponsorship or departmental income needed for alcohol to a minimum and helps keep ticket prices affordable
• This also avoids situations where drinks packages are offered at a high rate per person, resulting in a disproportionate amount of your financial resource being spent on alcohol

Events at External Venues

If you're holding your event at an external venue, the rules around alcohol funding are slightly different.

• Your club or society income can be used to subsidise event costs such as venue hire, food, and entertainment
• Alcohol at external events should be covered by ticket income, not club or society funds
• If your event is ticketed externally, you should offer separate alcohol and non-alcohol ticket options

IMPORTANT: Differentiating between alcohol and non-alcohol tickets ensures that non-drinking members are not subsidising the cost of alcohol for those who choose to drink. This is an inclusivity requirement, not just a recommendation.

Still have questions? Check out the rest of our knowledge base articles or submit a ticket to the Activities Team.