Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I could see perhaps bringing wine that had been a hotel welcome gift into the lounge or something that had previously been purchased through room service, but otherwise bringing one's own alcohol (purchased outside of the hotel) into a lounge with an honor bar seems close to bringing your own beer into a bar that provides (free) live music. I just can't imagine someone having the nerve to do this.
Yeah, I'm not sure I'd bring in my own stuff, and if I did, I would certainly be discreet about it. With that said, I don't think your comparison to a bar is 100% accurate...the primary purpose of the CL is relaxation and light munchies, whereas the primary purpose of the bar is to sell alcohol and food. Plus, the fact that you can walk from your "temporary home" to the CL puts people in a different mindset. As I think about it, if I were drinking an alcoholic beverage in my room, and wanted to go grab a snack, I'm not sure I'd hesitate to take my drink to the lounge...but I'd still be discreet.