Restaurant Corkage Fees
We’re often fielding questions regarding restaurants that allow customers to bring their own wine and the various corkage fees charged to do so. What we’re discovering is there is no industry standard, even locally. And, understandably, some restaurateurs may feel insulted when customers bring their own wine since much time and money has been invested in preparing a wine list that offers interesting wines at all price points.

There are exceptions of course, such as that fine, older vintage you want to bring up from your cellar to enjoy with a wonderful meal. Most restaurants, for a modest fee, are pleased to serve it for you. What about the corkage fee? What’s fair? Most assume that the corkage fee is to cover the cost of opening wine and providing glassware. But, more to the point, the basis of corkage is to recover money from a lost sale.

Corkage fees we’ve encountered range from $10 to $30, roughly equal to the price of the cheapest bottle of wine on the restaurant’s list. Some restaurants will waive the corkage fee if you also buy a bottle from the wine list.To avoid embarrassment, when making a reservation, always ask whether the restaurant permits BYO. Some do, some don’t - and find out the corkage fee. Do make sure the wine you wish to bring is one that the restaurant doesn’t offer.