Corkage fee at byob?

[seal]

One local place, which I won't name yet, caught my eye by having a corkage fee when they have no liquor. Has anyone heard of a byo with a corkage fee before?

[hotoynoodle]

most places that allow byo have corkage fees. the server is opening your bottle, you are using their glasses and not purchasing an item that adds to the restaurant's bottom line.

you should be more surprised if you find a place that doesn't charge a corkage fee.

[Leonardo]

I agree. You are taking up valuable space in their business; the lease they pay is the same whether you byo or not. They open the bottle, pour it, provide the glasses and then clean them. Instead of buying a non-alcohol drink you are bringing something, depriving them of income. They are in business to make money. So please name them; I'll be certain to go there if I deem them otherwise worthy.

[jfood]

Perfectly reasonable. They are allowing the customer to enjoythemselves at the table without the legal ability to serve liquor. It's usually a win-win. The customers enjoys the wine they brought and the restaurant earns just return for the service and the server's tip is increased because of added service and higher bill.

[invinotheresverde]

Lots of posts already on the board about this.

It's perfectly normal.

[cstr]

Quite common and the fee is usually very modest. Places, with liq., licences, that usually charge a large corkage fee, I've seen some as high as $25.

[nkeane]

as high as $25? I take it you havent been to NYC. SF, LA or MIA lately!?LOL

[Whosyerkitty]

It's standard and modest in my experience for restos that don't have their own booze. I have not seen a corkage fee, nor would I BYOB to a place with a liquor license. THAT's the money maker. Seems tacky to me UNLESS it's a VERY special wine for a VERY special occasion. In which case you should discuss it thoroughly with the management when you make your reservation. And spend boatloads of money on other things.

[cstr]

Yah, I've seen some corkages at $3., on the low end, I usually don't bother to BYO in places that have a licence, that's where the fee's escalate. I haven't even looked while in NYC etc. Guess I should look and amuse myself.

[nkeane]

sorry, I was infering that $25 is extremely low in the cities I cited!

I have also seen menus that say "corkage $1000 per 750ml bottle". You have to have some sense of humor to get what they are saying!

worst manners regarding a corkage fee I have ever seen: couple asked if they could have their bottle of Pinot Noir opened......AT A WINE BAR.......IN OREGON(otherwise known as one of the great pinot growing areas in the world.) which had something like 40 pinots on their list. Then they of course got angry when they were declined. Takes all kinds.........

[fourunder]

For all who believe a corkage fee is reasonable in a BYOB......I am not against the practice, however, I believe (seal) is from New Jersey.......and BYOBs traditionally have never charged a fee before. While there are many BYOBs in the state, personally I never go to BYOBs myself.....as I find they charge the same for the food as a full service restaurant....and rarely have more than a few ounces of red wine, so the attraction to save a few dollars is not my concern....for those who enjoy BYOBs and find they can enjoy their better wines with their meals......I am happy for you....but it's just not for me......I prefer whiskey, vodka and beer.

[BobB]

But you can bring your whiskey, vodka, or beer to a BYOB too, no? I've never brought hard liquor but I've certainly brought beer and hard cider to BYOB places.

[invinotheresverde]

We've brought our own tequila to numerous Mexican places.

[fourunder]

BobB,

In the State of New Jersey, BYOBs are classified as any restaurant, with the owner's permission, that allows you to bring in your own alcoholic beverages limited to beer and wine only .. Hard liquor and cordials are not permissible by statute. This is not to say I and others have never practiced bringing in a bottle of vodka or any other hard liquor for our consumption pleasure, before, during or after dinner.....you just are not supposed to. . It's up to the location, whether or not, to let you enjoy them on their premises. Most owners will not object and look the other way, but it has been known to happen. I am also aware that many BYOBs try to circumvent the liquor laws, license purchase and provide beer and wine to their special customers....and are known to provide an after dinner cordial with coffee. It used to be any restaurant could be a BYOB by owners decision even if you were a luncheonette or diner, but there are now some towns that require food establishments to register and pay a license fee for the privilege to be a BYOB...no doubt another way for the local government to penalize the reatauranteur and squeeze money from the public. There is a legal loophole in New Jersey to sell wine without a liquor license for any food establishment. ..... To do so, the establishment must purchase and sell wine only from a licensed winery within the State of New Jersey only, which numbers around 30 from my recollection. Even though Anheuser-Busch has a very prominent brewery in Newark, beer does not receive the same exemption status.

The State of New Jersey administrates the liquor laws through The Division of Alcohol Beverage Control. http://www.nj.gov/lps/abc/licensing.html,.. but it's up top the local municipalities police department to enforce any infractions

In this attached thread from a while back, liquor laws in the State of New Jersey were explained in some details...and with some reference to the idiosyncracies of our state's policies with regard to liquor laws, the origin of liquor licenses and why they are so expensive to own and difficult to purchase

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/467321 .

[lety1]

people use the glasses and space when bringing their own bottle cutting into the restaurant's profit margin, plus you have also cut down on your food server's tip. so don't be cheap!