Drink Covers: Safety Trends, Customer Protection, and What Staff Should Use

Customer safety has become one of the most important responsibilities in today’s bar and nightlife industry. From responsible alcohol service to preventing over-intoxication and supporting guest well-being, bartenders and servers are increasingly expected to play an active role in creating a safe environment. One growing trend you’ve likely seen behind the bar—or even carried yourself—is the use of drink covers, especially drink cover scrunchies.
Jan 20
Don't hesitate

Get Your Alcohol Training Certification Today.

Whether you’re an experienced bartender, new barback, or aspiring server looking to enter the industry, understanding drink covers, how they’re used, and what role they play in modern bar safety is now part of professional alcohol service.

This guide breaks down what drink covers are, why they matter, what bar staff should know, and how safety tools like drink covers connect to proper alcohol certification and training.

What Are Drink Covers?

Drink covers are protective accessories designed to fit over the top of a glass or cup to help reduce the risk of unwanted substances being dropped into a drink. In bar settings, they are most commonly used as a drink tampering deterrent and a general safety tool for guests.

There are several types of drink covers commonly seen in bars:

  • Drink cover scrunchies – Elastic, fabric-covered lids that stretch over most glasses

  • Silicone drink lids – Reusable covers that snap or stretch over drinkware

  • Disposable drink covers – Single-use protective barriers often used at events

  • Bar-provided drink lids – Typically plastic or silicone lids offered by the establishment

Drink cover scrunchies have become especially popular because they’re reusable, portable, discreet, and easy for guests to carry with them.

Why Drink Covers Matter in Bars and Nightlife Settings

Bars are social, high-energy environments. They’re often crowded, fast-paced, and dimly lit—conditions that can make it harder for guests to keep track of their drinks. That’s where drink covers come in.

For customers, drink covers offer:

  • Added peace of mind

  • A visible step toward drink safety

  • A sense of control over their beverage


For bar staff, drink covers:

  • Signal a commitment to guest safety

  • Support responsible alcohol service practices

  • Help reduce risk and liability concerns

  • Align with evolving industry expectations


Importantly, drink covers are not a replacement for responsible bartending, but rather a supporting tool that works best when combined with trained staff and proper alcohol service procedures.

Drink Covers and Drink Spiking Prevention: What Staff Should Know

Drink covers are often discussed in the context of drink spiking prevention, but it’s critical for bar staff to understand their role accurately.

Drink covers:

  • Act as a physical barrier that makes tampering more difficult

  • Can discourage opportunistic interference

  • Help customers feel more confident in social environments


Drink covers do not:

  • Guarantee complete protection against drink spiking

  • Replace staff vigilance

  • Eliminate the need for responsible service training


This distinction matters. As a bartender or server, it’s important not to overpromise what drink covers can do. Instead, they should be positioned as one part of a broader safety approach that includes monitoring guest behavior, watching drinks during service, and responding appropriately to concerns.

California’s Drink Cover Requirement: A Sign of Where the Industry Is Headed

In recent years, drink safety has moved beyond best practices into actual regulation.

As of July 1, 2025, California requires bars and nightclubs with Type 48 liquor licenses to provide drink covers (drink lids) to customers upon request. While bars are not required to automatically place covers on every drink, they must have them available and post signage informing guests of this option.

At the time of writing, California is the only U.S. state with a statewide requirement specifically tied to drink covers, but this law reflects a broader shift in expectations around bar safety.

For bar staff and aspiring bartenders, this is important because:

  • Regulations can expand to other states

  • Employers increasingly expect safety awareness

  • Alcohol certification programs emphasize risk reduction


Understanding trends like this helps staff stay compliant, employable, and prepared.

Best Types of Drink Covers for Bars

Not all drink covers are the same. Bars typically choose covers based on durability, cost, hygiene, and ease of use.

1. Drink Cover Scrunchies

  • Popular with individual customers

  • Reusable and portable

  • Fit most standard glasses

  • Often carried by guests rather than supplied by bars

2. Silicone Drink Lids

  • Common for bar-provided use

  • Easy to clean and reuse

  • More uniform fit for standard glassware

3. Disposable Drink Covers

  • Useful for large events or festivals

  • Single-use for hygiene control

  • Higher recurring cost


Bar staff should be familiar with whichever option their establishment uses so they can explain it confidently to guests.

How Bar Staff Should Use Drink Covers Effectively

Drink covers are most effective when integrated naturally into service—not treated as an afterthought.

Best practices for bar staff include:

  • Knowing where drink covers are stored

  • Offering them politely when appropriate

  • Responding calmly if a guest asks for one

  • Avoiding assumptions or judgment

  • Understanding how covers fit different glass types


Equally important is communication. Guests may ask questions about what drink covers do, how they work, or whether they’re required. Clear, factual answers build trust and professionalism. Oh and watch out if anyone asks for an angel shot.

Drink Cover and Bar Culture Trends

Drink cover scrunchies have become a visible part of nightlife culture, especially among younger guests and on social media. Many customers now arrive already carrying one, just like they might bring their own reusable straw or water bottle.

For bar staff, this trend:

  • Normalizes safety conversations

  • Reduces stigma around drink protection

  • Encourages shared responsibility between staff and guests


Bars that support these trends—without making guests feel uncomfortable—are often viewed as safer, more welcoming environments.

How Drink Covers Connect to Alcohol Certification and Responsible Service

Drink covers are a tool, but training is what makes tools effective.
Alcohol certification programs teach bar staff how to:

  • Recognize signs of intoxication

  • Intervene appropriately

  • Understand liability and legal responsibilities

  • Promote guest safety without confrontation

  • Comply with state and local alcohol laws


When staff understand why safety tools matter and how to use them responsibly, they’re far more effective than relying on accessories alone.
For aspiring bar staff, alcohol certification:

  • Makes you more employable

  • Shows professionalism

  • Helps you understand modern safety expectations

  • Prepares you for changing regulations


Drink covers fit naturally into this broader framework of responsible alcohol service.

FAQ: Drink Covers and Bar Safety

What are the drink covers called?

Drink covers are commonly called drink covers, drink lids, cup covers, or drink cover scrunchies. Bars may refer to them as drink lids, while guests often use the term scrunchie drink covers.

What are drink covers used for?

Drink covers are used to help protect beverages from tampering, debris, and accidental contamination. In bars, they’re most commonly associated with drink safety and spiking deterrence.

What drink cover prevents spiking?

No drink cover can fully prevent drink spiking. However, elastic drink cover scrunchies and bar-provided drink lids can reduce risk by limiting access to the drink.

Are drink covers effective against drugs?

Drink covers can help reduce risk, but they are not guaranteed protection. They should be used alongside responsible service practices and staff awareness.

How can you protect your drink at a bar?

Protection strategies include using a drink cover, keeping drinks in sight, avoiding unattended drinks, and staying alert to changes in taste or appearance.

Are there any downsides to using drink covers?

Potential downsides include imperfect fit for some glassware, maintenance for reusable covers, and the risk of over-reliance. They work best as part of a broader safety approach.

Bar Staff Can Help

Drink covers aren’t just a passing trend—they’re part of a larger shift toward safer, more responsible alcohol service. For bar staff and aspiring bartenders, understanding how and why they’re used is now part of being a modern professional.

When combined with our alcohol certification, drink covers:

  • Support customer safety

  • Reduce risk

  • Improve professionalism

  • Align with evolving legal and cultural expectations


As the industry continues to change, bar staff who stay informed, trained, and proactive will always be in demand.