Front, side, and back-loading: patrons' rationales for consuming alcohol purchased off-premises before, during, or after attending nightclubs

This research aimed to examine motivations for consumption of alcohol purchased off-trade when visiting on-trade licensed premises. In-depth interviews were conducted with nightclub patrons who also completed a drinking diary, detailing the time and place their previous week's alcohol consumption. Drinking before entering nightclubs was the norm, although the location and extent of this `front-loading' varied. Consuming alcohol purchased elsewhere while attending nightclubs (`side-loading') or continued drinking after leaving these premises (`back-loading') were reported much less frequently.