POPPING OFF ON CORKAGE FEES
Is it a coming trend or simply a statement being made by a restaurant or two?
I'm talking about corkage fees at BYOB restaurants. Several readers recently have spoken to me about being assessed corkage fees without warning at a specific BYOB restaurant. They are not only annoyed, they are boycotting the restaurant. Their wine was opened and poured by a server at this restaurant without an offer of an option to -- well, DIY, so to speak.
Now, it's true restaurants without liquor licenses that allow diners to bring their own bottles do have to invest in wine glases, corkscrews, wine buckets and the like. This is seen by some BYOB restaurateurs I've spoke with as a significant expense for which there is no compensation.
However, the concept of corkage fees far more frequently applies to restaurants WITH liquor licenses that allow diners to bring their own wines for a relatively modest charge -- less than it would cost to buy a modest bottle of wine on the list. Here in New Jersey, I've been lambasted by reservations-takers at places with liquor licenses for even asking if I could bring a special bottle of my own NOT on their list and pay a reasonable corkage fee (say, $25) as compensation. I've only made these inquiries of restaurants with particularly poor wine lists at bloated prices.
OK, so let's discuss this and hear all sides:
Diners, do you think corkage charges at BYOBs have a place? Or not? Why? Do you think restaurants with liquor licenses should allow you to bring special bottles not on the restaurant's existing list for a corkage fee, as is custom in many other places?
Restaurateurs with liquor licenses, do you offer the option of BYOB with a corkage fee? Restaurateurs at BYOBs, do you assess a fee for those who bring their own wines and, if so why? If you don't, why not? And what would prompt you to change your policy?
Looking forward to hearing from y'all,
Andy
5.25.07
I'm talking about corkage fees at BYOB restaurants. Several readers recently have spoken to me about being assessed corkage fees without warning at a specific BYOB restaurant. They are not only annoyed, they are boycotting the restaurant. Their wine was opened and poured by a server at this restaurant without an offer of an option to -- well, DIY, so to speak.
Now, it's true restaurants without liquor licenses that allow diners to bring their own bottles do have to invest in wine glases, corkscrews, wine buckets and the like. This is seen by some BYOB restaurateurs I've spoke with as a significant expense for which there is no compensation.
However, the concept of corkage fees far more frequently applies to restaurants WITH liquor licenses that allow diners to bring their own wines for a relatively modest charge -- less than it would cost to buy a modest bottle of wine on the list. Here in New Jersey, I've been lambasted by reservations-takers at places with liquor licenses for even asking if I could bring a special bottle of my own NOT on their list and pay a reasonable corkage fee (say, $25) as compensation. I've only made these inquiries of restaurants with particularly poor wine lists at bloated prices.
OK, so let's discuss this and hear all sides:
Diners, do you think corkage charges at BYOBs have a place? Or not? Why? Do you think restaurants with liquor licenses should allow you to bring special bottles not on the restaurant's existing list for a corkage fee, as is custom in many other places?
Restaurateurs with liquor licenses, do you offer the option of BYOB with a corkage fee? Restaurateurs at BYOBs, do you assess a fee for those who bring their own wines and, if so why? If you don't, why not? And what would prompt you to change your policy?
Looking forward to hearing from y'all,
Andy
5.25.07
posted by Andrea Clurfeld at 10:16 AM
8 Comments:
Wow... who's now charging at the Shore? It would be nice to know in advance...
It would be nice if restauranteurs chimed in too...but as a diner, I won't expect to be charged for it regardless of the type of BYO establishment (high or low end) unless it's mentioned on their menu or posted elsewhere.
I understand totally why corkage fees are charged at establishments that serve liquor - some places offer promotions where fees are waived on slow nights (Sundays) in Philadelphia at The Prime Rib in the Warwick, for instance.
Corkage fees on BYOB restaurants! Are they out of their minds? Following their premise of recovering expenses on non-revenue generating activity, what's next, charge diners for using a goblet when asking for tap water? Maybe they'll charge more because tap water is not even free? BYOB restaurants that charge corkage fees should be boycotted to oblivion. I don't buy the argument that there is no compensation for providing SERVICE. It is myopic at the very least, and idiotic at best. They should read Danny Meyer's book on running a HOSPITALITY business.
The reason I spend 90% of my dining dollars on BYOB is because I have the ability to bring my own wine (from my own cellar). I will not spend a single dollar buying wine from a mediocre wine list at hyper inflated prices. Granted, liquor licenses are expensive, but at least restaurants should put together a decent wine list. I am not looking for grand cru nor first growths, just well made wine. There are thousands out there under twenty dollars. I should know, I work in the buy-side of the wine and spirits industry. Unfortunately, shore restaurants are still in the dark ages when it comes to putting together a decent wine list - I don't think they (the restaurateurs with horrendous wine lists) appreciate the 'magic' of a beautiful food and wine pairing - I drink more, I eat more, ergo I spend more.
I don't mind paying a corkage fee at a licensed restaurant, but please don't insult us (diners) by telling that it's illegal to bring our own wine (because it's not).
So my vote - no to corkage fees in BYOBs - whoever thought of that idea, I am sure, will succumb to Darwin's way.
And yes to corkage fees at licensed restaurants.
But Andrea, should I include the cost of the corkage on my tip? Alright, alright, enough whining!
Cheers,
93chambertin
As an owner of the Bayshore Bistro, a BYOB, I wouldn't think of charging a corkage fee. The whole appeal for many, (I estimate it at about 80%) is that they can avoid a wine mark up by patronizing a BYOB. It would be absurd of me to think that I can charge a corkage fee to the largest segment of my clientele just to pay for ice.
I went by the Salt Water Beach Cafe which opened in the old HoJo's space - and lo and behold - a full bar!
Menu looks good - pricey - but good...
The restaurant charging a corkage fee is Casa Solar in Belmar.This was done without warning us first.The wine was immediately opened and poured.Then the menu was presented with a full page notice of the corkage policy.We eat out once a week at BYOB restaurants,and we were shocked to be charged for opening our wine and providing a glass.I really hope this doesn't catch on.We pay a lot to eat at these restaurants,and being able to bring our own wine offsets the steep prices.Maybe we should bring our own corkscrew and glasses to Casa Solar,or not go there anymore.
We had the same experience at Casa Solar. We were seated (25 minutes after our reserved time, with no apology) and no menu was brought, but the server opened our wine right away. We waited for the menu, then asked for it, while we drank a glass of our wine. The server finally brought the menu, rushed us to order, and we did not notice nor were we told anything about the corkage charge until we got our bill. We brought it up to the server, who said it was "house policy" and that "many restaurants do it." (NOT TRUE we since have learned.) We felt pressured to pay. Now we regret not calling over the owner and making it clear we were not going to be forced to pay money to drink our own wine. We will make sure this will not happen again. Because we will never go back to Casa Solar.
We are glad this terrible injustice is being discussed here. It is wrong for BYOB restaurants to charge diners money for drinking their own wines. If we break a wine glass, then charge for that. We understand why restaurants with liquor licenses that they pay for may charge corkage fees. But not BYOB restaurants. That's like charging extra for plates and forks. If we ordered coffee or soda, would we pay extra for the cup or glass?
I would like to see the owner of Casa Solar reply to the people writing here.
Thank you for the chance to vent, Andrea, since we've been annoyed since this happened to us.
Matt and Caitlin
Thanks for posting who charged the corkage fee because I will not be spending a dime there. Unfortunately with the summer season upon us, even if the locals refuse to eat there, they will get enough tourists to fill the empty seats.
I just hope other great BYOB's don't follow suit.
The whole idea behind charging corkage fee by licensed restaurants is to recoup profit that otherwise they would have realized if a diner buys from their wine list. But in the case of a BYOB, is it is hard to imagine what profit they are giving up when a customer brings their own wine.
So if a BYOB restaurant charges a corkage fee, it is nothing but profiteering. A restaurant is free to charge whatever fee or price they want, but they shouldn't hide behind the legitimacy of a corkage fee.
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