corkage policy

Meaning

A 'corkage policy' refers to a restaurant's rules and fees regarding guests bringing their own bottles of wine to open and drink during their meal. The policy typically outlines the 'corkage fee' charged per bottle to cover the service of chilling, opening, and pouring the wine, as well as providing glassware.

Examples

• Before bringing our own vintage champagne, we called the restaurant to ask about their corkage policy.

  Before bringing our own vintage champagne, we called the restaurant to ask about their corkage policy.

• The establishment's strict corkage policy limits guests to two outside bottles per table.

  The establishment's strict corkage policy limits guests to two outside bottles per table.

• Some high-end restaurants waive their corkage policy if you also buy a bottle from their list.

  Some high-end restaurants waive their corkage policy if you also buy a bottle from their list.

• We need to review the resort's corkage policy before planning the private beach dinner.

  We need to review the resort's corkage policy before planning the private beach dinner.

• The bistro has a very generous corkage policy, charging only ten dollars per bottle.

  The bistro has a very generous corkage policy, charging only ten dollars per bottle.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Does this restaurant allow us to bring wine with a cheap opening policy?

  ✓ Does this restaurant have a reasonable corkage policy?

  'Opening policy' is a literal translation error. The correct industry term is 'corkage policy' (derived from the word 'cork').

• ✗ The waiter charged us a corkage policy of twenty dollars.

  ✓ The waiter charged us a corkage fee of twenty dollars under their policy.

  The 'policy' refers to the set of rules; the monetary charge itself is called a 'corkage fee'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you plan to bring that rare Bordeaux to the dinner, make sure to check the restaurant's ___ first.

  💡 The rules regarding bringing your own wine to a restaurant.

  Show answer

  corkage policy

• The resort's ___ states that outside alcohol is strictly prohibited in the dining room.

  💡 The guidelines governing guest-provided wine.

  Show answer

  corkage policy