BYOB, a term you thought was only reserved for college students, is now a term used to refer to restaurants that allow people to bring their own alcohol. BYOB (bring your own beer) and free corkage are becoming much more popular among restaurants in the states. These restaurants, however, are usually in trendy locations where the restaurant philosophy is more casual and personal.
Steve Wildly, Beverage Director of the Vetri Family of Restaurant, told Talia Baiocchi in an article on Eater that BYOB culture, specifically in Philadelphia, stems from the alcohol fees charged to restaurants by the state. Although not all states are as strict as Pennsylvania, many restaurant owners are turning away from serving alcohol because of the license fees and the taxes. The idea is that restaurants do not pay these fees, but focus more on the food for consumers to enjoy.
The BYOB and free corkage culture is not just beneficial to the restaurants who do not want to pay these fees, but also to the consumer. Consumers are allowed to bring in their own alcohol to enjoy with their meals without the headache of markups. Sometimes, consumers are even more drawn to a restaurant if they do have this policy because they are not paying for marked up drinks. For example, Smoque BBQ in Chicago invites everyone to bring their own drinks to enjoy with their delicious food and encourages it.
There are some restaurants who will have the policy, even if they have a liquor license and pay the fees. This is so that they can buy into the culture, but still serve the others who choose not bring in their own beverages. For instance in D.C.'s Founding Farmers, one of the best restaurants in the city, customers are allowed to bring in two bottles of wine as long as they are not on the menu.
Other restaurants have similar policies, but may charge a fee. These policies tend to bother BYOB or Free Corkage enthusiasts the most. The restaurants call it a corkage fee. This fee could be charged per person or per bottle. And, it could be anywhere from $1 per person to $100 per bottle. It all depends on the location and nature of the restaurant. Consumers then have to decide whether the fee is worth it.
Not everyone is on board with this culture movement. Many food critics think that Free Corkage and BYOB will disrupt restaurant drinking culture. One reason is that restaurants spend lots of time and energy learning about beers and wines to serve with their dishes. By patrons bringing their own alcohol, they are disregarding all this time and energy spent.
There are pros and cons to both sides. The positive is that there is a chance for people to choose. Do you want to BYOB or pay for the recommended bottle at the restaurant. The choice is yours.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
