Non-drinkers and individuals aiming to reduce their alcohol consumption this year may encounter unexpected charges when dining out, as restaurants across the UK impose corkage fees of up to £50 for bringing alcohol-free wine. This practice, uncovered by the Daily Mail, highlights the ongoing debate around "bring your own bottle" policies in eateries, even for beverages that contain no alcohol.
The Corkage Fee Controversy
Typically, corkage fees cover the costs associated with opening, pouring, and serving beverages brought from outside, including expenses for glassware, labour, and lost profit margins. However, these charges have long been unpopular with diners, with some establishments demanding as much as £200 for alcoholic wines. The concept extends beyond drinks to "cakeage" fees for bringing custom cakes, which have sparked controversy by costing up to £140 per party or £10 per person.
Investigating Restaurant Policies
Reporters contacted 20 venues across the UK that do not list non-alcoholic wine on their menus to inquire about corkage fees. They examined online wine lists for clear non-alcoholic sections, though some restaurants revealed options not prominently displayed. The findings revealed a patchwork of approaches, with fees ranging from £5 to £50, and some restaurants outright refusing to accommodate BYO scenarios.
In some cases, restaurants offered to source their own alcohol-free alternatives in advance. One response notably suggested that the establishment was "happy for us to decide on the price accordingly," indicating a lack of standardised industry guidelines. This issue gained attention in Ireland this month when a woman participating in Dry January faced backlash after inquiring about bringing her own alcohol-free wine to multiple venues.
Regional Variations in Fees
The highest quoted fee came from The Glenturret restaurant in Perthshire, a two-Michelin-starred luxury dining destination. After initially noting they had a non-alcoholic option, they requested details of the specific bottle. When reporters mentioned M&S's Little Joey Sauvignon Blanc (retailing at £7 on Ocado), they were quoted "around £30-£50," though no final confirmation was provided.
London and Major Cities
Many restaurants, including Luca in London's Clerkenwell, The Wilderness in Birmingham, and Solstice in Newcastle, adhered to a flat £20 fee for non-alcoholic wine. Notably, Luca charges £50 for alcoholic wine corkage, while Solstice imposes a £75 fee for alcoholic bottles. The Palmerston in Edinburgh and 10 Greek Street in Soho offered slightly lower rates at £15, with the latter providing a "£5 corkage per bottle" promotion on Fridays.
Fin&Grape in Edinburgh set their fee at £10, explaining that corkage represents a reduction in potential revenue, especially during busy periods. They only allow it under specific conditions, such as bookings on less busy weekdays, not weekends.
Welsh Hospitality
Wales demonstrated more generous policies. Chapters, a Michelin Green Star restaurant, quoted £10 per bottle, while Harbour Master in Pen Cei reduced their usual £15 fee to £10 as a courtesy. Asador 44 in Cardiff, a luxury Spanish grill, noted they have no set price for non-alcoholic wine as they have never encountered such a request, leaving it to the customer to decide. They also mentioned offering 0% cava and mocktails on their menu.
Budget-Friendly Options
The cheapest fees were found at The Black Friar in Manchester and The Buttery in Glasgow, both charging just £5. The Black Friar added that their bar team would be happy to source 0% wines if needed, with alcoholic wine corkage set at £15 per bottle.
Strict Policies in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, restaurants showed less flexibility. The award-winning Home in Belfast stated they are "not really a BYO" establishment, offering alcohol-free options at £5 per 175ml glass or £20 per bottle, with sparkling or red wines available upon request. Asian fusion eatery Yugo in Belfast explicitly said they are "not a bring your own restaurant" and do not allow any outside drinks, though they provide mocktails, 0% beer, and soft drinks. Ora in Belfast echoed this, citing their licensed status as a reason for not offering corkage or permitting outside beverages.
Unresponsive Venues
Five other restaurants contacted by the Daily Mail have not yet responded to inquiries, further underscoring the inconsistent and often opaque nature of corkage fee policies across the UK dining scene.
