corkage

[ kawr-kij ]

noun

1. a fee charged, as in a restaurant, for serving wine or liquor brought in by the patron. Compare cakeage ( def ).

corkage

/ ˈkɔːkɪdʒ /

noun

1. a charge made at a restaurant for serving wine, etc, bought off the premises

Word History and Origins

Origin of corkage¹

First recorded in 1830–40; cork + -age

Example Sentences

Another trade publication, The Restaurant, found corkage at some places in London has increased to more than £100 per bottle.

From BBC

The fancy bottle of wine on your neighbor’s table isn’t from the restaurant’s stock but the result of Padaek’s gentle corkage fee: $15 to bring your own grape juice.

From Washington Post

The fancy bottle of wine on your neighbor’s table isn’t from the restaurant’s stock, but the result of Padaek’s gentle corkage fee: $15 to bring your own grape juice.

From Washington Post

Napa Valley’s French Laundry charges a $150 corkage fee just for the privilege of bringing in your own wine into the eatery.

From Los Angeles Times

Diners can buy bottles off the shelf at retail prices, take them home or pay a $10 corkage fee to drink them in the restaurant.

From Seattle Times