Originally Posted by gooselee

The point is an airport lounge is set up as a service establishment, not a retail store. And in some locations, their operating permits/licenses will be designed as such and may *require* them to open drinks before serving them.

Surely you wouldn't walk into a local bar, order a bottle of wine, and expect them to hand it to you sealed to take away with you. Lounges operate in the same way for paid bar service.