A lot of restaurants charge a corkage fee,
but what is it and why?
- To make up for lost revenue.
- To cover for the service that is provided for opening, pouring and serving the wine, as well as supplying appropriate glassware. The corkage fee covers the cost of these services.
- Opportunity cost: By allowing guests to bring their own wine, the restaurant is foregoing potential sales from its own inventory. The corkage fee can help to mitigate this opportunity cost.
- Corkage Policies: Managing guests who bring their own wine involves some additional effort and coordination on the part of the restaurant staff. A corkage fee can help regulate this practice and ensure that it aligns with the restaurant’s policies.
- Restaurants often invest in crafting a well-curated wine list and having some sommeliers on staff in charge of their wine program. They invest a lot of money in it. The corkage fee helps to cover those costs when guests choose to bring their own wine.
Some establishments may waive the fee under certain conditions, such as if the wine being brought is not already on their wine list. To avoid any surprises, it’s important for guests to inquire about the corkage policy before bringing their own wine to a restaurant, as not all establishments permit it, and those that do may have specific guidelines or restrictions. Some restaurants do not allow guests to bring wine in at all, arguing that they are in the business to sell food and beverages, after all.
What do you think, is corkage fee a fair practice or should it be extended to the food, and could restaurants start having steakage fees as well? Leave a comment below to let us know 🙂
A votre santé!
Cheers!
A lot of restaurants charge a corkage fee,
but what is it and why?
A corkage fee is a charge added to the bill by a restaurant or venue when guests bring their own bottle of wine to enjoy with their meal. The fee covers the cost of serving and handling the wine, as well as the opportunity cost for the establishment, as they are not selling one of their own bottles. The term “corkage” refers to the traditional practice of removing the cork from a wine bottle.
So why do restaurants charge corkage fees?
- To make up for lost revenue.
- To cover for the service that is provided for opening, pouring and serving the wine, as well as supplying appropriate glassware. The corkage fee covers the cost of these services.
- Opportunity cost: By allowing guests to bring their own wine, the restaurant is foregoing potential sales from its own inventory. The corkage fee can help to mitigate this opportunity cost.
- Corkage Policies: Managing guests who bring their own wine involves some additional effort and coordination on the part of the restaurant staff. A corkage fee can help regulate this practice and ensure that it aligns with the restaurant’s policies.
- Restaurants often invest in crafting a well-curated wine list and having some sommeliers on staff in charge of their wine program. They invest a lot of money in it. The corkage fee helps to cover those costs when guests choose to bring their own wine.
Some establishments may waive the fee under certain conditions, such as if the wine being brought is not already on their wine list. To avoid any surprises, it’s important for guests to inquire about the corkage policy before bringing their own wine to a restaurant, as not all establishments permit it, and those that do may have specific guidelines or restrictions. Some restaurants do not allow guests to bring wine in at all, arguing that they are in the business to sell food and beverages, after all.
A votre santé!
Cheers!
What is the average price for corkage?
The average corkage fee is $25 per 750ml bottle.
I think it’s completely fair to have a corkage fee and I appreciate the way you broke down all of this information. I remember one restaurant I worked at would not allow us to provide corkage if the bottle that the customers brought in was exactly the same (down to the vintage) as one we sold on our wine list. I’m assuming it’s because of the missed opportunity of a sale but not quite sure. Nevertheless, what a concise and well written article. Very great read!
This was so insightful! I learned so much about the underlying effort that goes into having corkage as an option. I think $35 for the first bottle is fair.