What Is a Corkage Fee and How to Avoid Common Dining Mistakes

1. What Is a Corkage Fee and How to Avoid Common Dining Mistakes Dining out at a nice restaurant and bringing your own bottle of wine might sound like a great idea—until you see a charge on the bill you didn’t expect. So, what is a corkage fee? It’s a charge that restaurants apply when guests bring their own alcoholic beverages, usually wine, instead of ordering from the restaurant’s menu. Corkage fees cover the cost of service, glassware, and the loss of profit the restaurant would have earned had you ordered their wine. The fee can range from a nominal amount to something more substantial, depending on the establishment’s policy and the type of restaurant. It’s not just about opening the bottle—it includes serving, pouring, and cleanup, too. Common Dining Mistakes to Avoid with Corkage Fees: 1. Not Calling Ahead Always call the restaurant beforehand and ask if they allow BYOB and what their corkage fee is. Some fine dining spots may not allow outside alcohol at all. 2. Bringing a Bottle on Their Wine List Avoid bringing a wine the restaurant already serves. It’s considered disrespectful and defeats the purpose of their wine curation. 3. Not Offering a Taste to the Sommelier In many restaurants, it’s a nice gesture to offer a small pour of your wine to the sommelier or server as a thank-you for waiving or reducing the corkage fee. 4. Assuming Corkage Is Free Even if it’s a casual or local eatery, don’t assume there’s no corkage charge. Always ask. 5. Bringing More Than One Bottle Some places may charge per bottle, not per table. Clarify beforehand if you're planning to bring multiple bottles. Understanding what a corkage fee is helps you dine smarter, save money where possible, and respect the restaurant's policies. When handled properly, BYOB can enhance your dining experience—without the awkward surprises. Visit: https://restaurantify.com/how-to-navigate-corkage-fees-a-byob-quick-guide/