It probably won’t shock you that alcohol is a big part of the music industry. More so than in any other job you’ll meet clients over drinks, not coffee. Hell, the whole live music industry is based around going out at night. It’s hard at times to know when you SHOULDN’T be drinking. Luckily, I have amassed a small guide.

Are you underage? I really cannot throw stones on this one. The legal drinking age here in the UK is 18 years old, and I was drinking regularly and heavily from the age of…sixteen? Something like that. What you choose to do with regards to your country/state laws is entirely your own choice. But for the love of god, make sure the people you are working with know how old you are. Maybe you’re a month or two south of proper, your colleague is fully aware of that and offers to buy you a beer at the show. By all means, enjoy it. Do NOT let someone buy you a drink if they’re not fully aware that they could get arrested for it. Obviously you can apply this to your every day life as well, but make it imperative in your professional one. Nobody wants to have to put “reason for leaving last job: got boss charged with misdemeanour” on their resume.

What are you like when you’ve been drinking? The best place to find out that you’re an overly emotional drunk is not at the work Christmas party. Similarly, if you know you don’t mix well with alcohol isn’t in that situation. If you’re prone to getting absolutely white girl wasted on a single drink, make your excuses and stick to the Diet Coke. Someone I work with told me a horror story of how, on a previous office outing, him and another colleague had to hack into their intern’s phone to call her mum, as she’d got so completely bladdered she forgot where she lived. Don’t be that girl.

How should I behave at a work social? Potentially tricky, especially if the boss is around. Naturally, everyone is going to let a little loose. Jokes might become a little more un-PC. The simple answer to this question is: do not do anything you wouldn’t do in the office. If you’re working in a straight-laced legal department, don’t take the opportunity to show your true colours and skills by getting up on the table and dancing (N.B: I have seen is happen).

Do you have any horror stories to share? Or tips to beat that hangover that’ll sit over your head and plague your work for the rest of the day? Share them here or tweet us at @IATTG!