What is Corkage?

Corkage is just another way to BYOB!  Restaurants charge a ‘corkage fee’ to open and serve each bottle of wine, beer, or spirits you bring with you.  We think it’s a fair exchange as the solicitous server opens your awesome bottle, provides the lovely glassware, and gives you the attentive service you expect as though you bought your wine from their wine list or beer from their beer list. Most restaurants don’t offer spirits corkage but for those that do, it’s a no-no to bring a bottle they have on their shelf.  Spirits corkage is saved for when you bring that extra special, super expensive bottle you brought home from your drunken foray in Cognac or that rare bottle you found while cleaning out your old uncle’s basement…and didn’t tell anyone about it…

The restaurants in this directory include information about how many bottles you can bring, corkage charge per bottle, and any other service or restrictions they may have.  Enjoy!

Got questions? Please ask via the contact page.

Top 10 Things to Know About Corkage:

• Don’t bring a bottle that is already on the menu. If in doubt, call first
• When we say ‘bottle of wine’ it means a 750ml bottle which is the standard bottle
• Don’t forget to check if the restaurant has a bottle limit. Some do but for restaurants that don’t have a bottle limit…that should be ‘no bottle limit within reason!’
• Bring your bottle(s) in something that doesn’t look like you just bought it at 7 Eleven. Oh, please don’t bring anything you bought at a convenience store unless you happened upon the rare find of the century
• When you are seated, let your server know you have bottles for corkage
• A waiter or sommelier must be the one to open your bottle and pour your liquid gold into a glass
• It’s cool to offer your server a taste
• Tip accordingly
• A restaurant is not required to offer corkage so it should be regarded as a perk and a privilege
• Enjoy!