corkage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Commercial (Restaurant/Hospitality)
Quick answer
What does “corkage” mean?
A fee charged by a restaurant or bar for opening and serving a bottle of wine (or other alcoholic drink) that a customer has brought with them, rather than purchased on the premises.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fee charged by a restaurant or bar for opening and serving a bottle of wine (or other alcoholic drink) that a customer has brought with them, rather than purchased on the premises.
The act or system of charging such a fee; occasionally used more broadly to refer to a fee for any service involving the opening or serving of a customer's own bottle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is understood and used in both varieties within the hospitality industry.
Connotations
Neutral commercial term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “corkage” in a Sentence
The restaurant charges [AMOUNT] corkage.Corkage is [AMOUNT] per bottle.Is there a corkage fee?Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corkage” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The corkage policy is clearly displayed.
- We have a corkage-free evening on Tuesdays.
American English
- The corkage fee is twenty dollars.
- Check the restaurant's corkage rules online.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A line item on a restaurant's bill or part of its pricing policy.
Academic
Rarely used; might appear in hospitality or business management studies.
Everyday
Used by customers discussing restaurant policies or checking terms before dining.
Technical
Standard term in the hospitality and catering industry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corkage”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corkage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corkage”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They will corkage our wine').
- Confusing it with 'corking' (sealing with a cork).
- Misspelling as 'corkedge' or 'corkidge'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost always charged per bottle brought in by the customers.
Yes, restaurants sometimes waive the corkage fee on quieter nights, for regular customers, or if a certain amount of food is ordered.
Typically it applies to wine, but policies vary. Some places include champagne or spirits. Always check the specific policy.
It is generally acceptable only if the restaurant has a stated BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) or corkage policy. It is considered impolite to bring your own bottle to a restaurant with a comprehensive wine list unless you have prior agreement.
A fee charged by a restaurant or bar for opening and serving a bottle of wine (or other alcoholic drink) that a customer has brought with them, rather than purchased on the premises.
Corkage is usually formal, commercial (restaurant/hospitality) in register.
Corkage: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔː.kɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːr.kɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the CORK in the wine bottle and the additional CHARGE for the service of opening it = CORKage.
Conceptual Metaphor
SERVICE AS A COMMODITY (The act of serving a personal item is metaphorically packaged and sold as a separate product).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'corkage' specifically refer to?