Why is wine in a restaurant more expensive than if I bought it at a retail store?

Answer 1

Because you're paying for the service and environment of the restaurant. restarants have huge mark-ups on alcohol and other drinks. Why do you think sodas cost like $2 or more in those places. They DO have a make a profit ya know.

Answer 2

Many restaurants charge two to three times their cost for a bottle of wine. Some restaurants use a sliding scale: they will mark up a less expensive bottle of wine more than they will a more expensive one. There are also business-related reasons for the mark up--the cost of storing the wine, training qualified wine staff and wait staff, and the cost of replacing broken stemware. Some restaurants may also allow you to bring your own bottle of wine and charge a corkage fee. Many restaurants will also offer you a free sample of the house wine or a special wine they've chosen, and most wine-savvy restaurants will offer wines by the glass in a broad range of prices. Trying different wines by the glass can prove an inexpensive way to discover new wines you like.

Answer 3

Many restaurants charge two to three times their cost for a bottle of wine. Some restaurants use a sliding scale: they will mark up a less expensive bottle of wine more than they will a more expensive one. There are also business-related reasons for the mark up--the cost of storing the wine, training qualified wine staff and wait staff, and the cost of replacing broken stemware. Some restaurants may also allow you to bring your own bottle of wine and charge a corkage fee. Many restaurants will also offer you a free sample of the house wine or a special wine they've chosen, and most wine-saavy restuarants will offer wines by the glass in a broad range of prices. Trying different wines by the glass can prove an inexpensive way to discover new wines you like
Corkage fees
For the past three weeks, I've engaged readers of my Pacific Northwest Wine of the Week column in a discussion about corkage fees, those charges incurred when you bring your own bottle of wine to a restaurant.

I received dozens of emails about the subject (and published several over the past two weeks). Here are a few of the issues, followed by my thoughts on this volatile subject.

The main issues:

Corkage fees are too high: Readers say charging $5 or even $10 is OK, but $20, $30 or more is out of line.

Restaurant wine prices are too high: Readers think a wine that costs $20 at the winery should not cost $45 at a restaurant.

Some restaurant patrons are cheap: Restaurateurs get steamed when they see someone bring in a cheap bottle of wine just to avoid restaurant prices.

Many restaurants have poor wine lists: I can attest that this is true.

A few of my thoughts on the subject of corkage fees:

The actual fees: I've paid as much as $20 corkage and as little as zero. Generally speaking, it is rare for me to take a bottle of wine to a restaurant. The times I do are for special occasions. For example, when Melissa and I go out for our anniversary, I might take a special bottle of wine. More likely, however, we are enjoying a favorite restaurant or exploring a new one, and part of that experience is ordering off the list. Two years ago, our families met on the Washington Coast for Thanksgiving, and we went to dinner at The Shoalwater in Seaview. For that occasion, I brought three bottles of wine and ordered three more from the list.

Answer 4

when you buy more of something, it drives the price down. Anything that you purchase individually is going to be more expensive than buying bulk. Example: If you purchase a case of cokes, it's cheaper in the long run than buying a single can out of a machine. Short version, you basically get a discount for buying more. Oh, not to mention restaurants mark up, too

Answer 5

all drinks r more expensive in a restaurent.. becoz of the services n the taxes on them..
also may be the quality of wine thats being served to u in a restaurent is better.

Answer 6

Everything cost more at a restaurant. your are paying for them to serve you.

Answer 7

because the restaurant has to make money, they are a bussiness you know. if they charged you retail, they wouldn't be making any money would they?

Answer 8

cos in the restaurant u pay for the servise u are getting... being sit and that the weitress bring u everything etc etc.. that is for what u are paying more..

Answer 9

retail buys in quanity and rest,,might buy just a fcouple bottles

Answer 10

For the same reason that your meal is more expensive in a restaurant than if you bought it in a supermarket and prepared it yourself! Duh.