When I first compiled this list one of the restaurants I contacted asked me what a corkage fee is. I also had a reader ask me once. So, just to make sure we are all on the same page the fee, established by the restaurant, is a charge for opening and serving a bottle that a guest has brought in. What we like to tell people that do take advantage of this service is that for one, don’t bring in a bottle that is on the restaurant’s wine list and two, tip your server for what your check would have been if you had purchased the bottle at the restaurant. The first is a common restaurant policy, the second is just what we think is in good taste. And my editor Michael Perlis also added: I’d also recommend contacting the restaurant in advance to verify that it is okay, because “BYOB is a privilege and not a right.”
Note: Updated for 2015 if in BOLD
Bier Academy: $20.
Bj’s Brewhouse: Wine corkage fee is first bottle per table free, $7 / bottle thereafter.
Egg Plantation: $12.
Lazy Dog Café: No corkage fee on wine brought in as long as its not currently listed on their menu, and any leftover can be taken home.
Le Chene: $15.
Margarita’s Mexican Grill: $15
Marstons: None.
Newhall Refinery $15
Oaks Grille Valencia(Inside TPC): Non-member price is $20 per bottle.
Persia Restaurant (Saugus) and Persia Lounge (Newhall): $15 at both restaurants.
Piccola Trattoria: $15, additionally, if the party purchases another bottle of wine from our wine list on their visit, we waive the corkage fee!
Rattlers Bar B Que: $5.
Route 66 Classic Grill: $10.
Sabor Cocina Mexicana: $15.
Salt Creek Grille: $10.
Vines (in Hyatt): $15.
Wine 661: No corkage on in-store purchases; $20 corkage fee for outside bottles.
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a guest judge for the L.A. International Wine Competition. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
This is a great service to our community. 🙂 Thank you!
Why thank you Kathe!