BYOPort restaurants

[Roy Hersh]

Do you have restaurants in your area that allow you to bring in your own Port? Do you decant in advance or let them take care of your bottle(s)? What do you normally have to pay for corkage?

[Eric Menchen]

Not in Colorado. Not legal I've been told. :x

[Steve E.]

Although I haven't done this yet - I'm sure Roy would be interested to know about Purple's policy (if he doesn't already). Purple restaurants in Woodinville, Kirkland, and Seattle have a no-corkage for first bottle (750 ml) policy, as long as they don't stock the bottle.

This is from the wine menu for the Woodinville location:
corkage policies
no corkage on the first 750ml bottle—if we don’t carry that
special wine, bring it in.

Since they only have a few Ports, it shouldn't be hard to find one they don't:
niepoort lbv . oporto, portugal . 99 . 750ml $60
dow’s 20 year tawny . portugal . 750ml $85
smith woodhouse colheita tawny . portugal . 94 . 750ml $89

Interestingly, I do have the Dow's from Costco, which was $30 with a free glass.

Another tip for Purple is to go to Costco (only checked Kirkland) beforehand and you can buy a package with two $50 gift cards for $80. So you automatically get 20% off your first $100 and no corkage on your bottle of Port - sounds like a deal to me! And the Woodinville location is located right near several wineries.

[Glenn E.]

My wife and I just went to the Purple Cafe in Woodinville last Saturday - it's one of our favorite restaurants. I've never used their "first bottle no corkage" policy, though, because I can't drink that much Port in one sitting. We do take advantage of their half price Mondays fairly often though.

[Steve E.]

My wife and I just went to the Purple Cafe in Woodinville last Saturday - it's one of our favorite restaurants. I've never used their "first bottle no corkage" policy, though, because I can't drink that much Port in one sitting. We do take advantage of their half price Mondays fairly often though.

Glenn,

Next time remember to swing by Costco on the way there and get the gift cards - that should cover a dinner for two pretty well (we fed 3 1/2 for $100 when I did it) unless you go high end on your bottle.

I'm guessing they don't make you leave the rest of your bottle there - drink what you can enjoy and bring the rest home... to enjoy!

I really like the Woodinville location. Seattle's is flashier, but I prefer the winery location.

[Glenn E.]

We usually go to the Kirkland location, but we've also been to the Seattle one and it is definitely fancier. Kirkland is just the most accessible for us... I like both of the other two better.

And yes, they'll let you take the rest of your bottle with you even if it's one you bought from them. I hadn't added those to bits together before... so yeah, I'll have to bring a bottle of Port with me next time!

[Peter W. Meek]

Michigan does not allow outside bottles to be brought into any establishment that has a liquor licence. I have heard of people doing so, however.

It is more common in establishments that don't have a licence; maybe it is just because the Liquor Board has nothing to threaten them with.

[Derek T.]

I've never used their "first bottle no corkage" policy, though, because I can't drink that much Port in one sitting.

You need to come to the UK for some intensive training :twisted:

[Glenn E.]

I've never used their "first bottle no corkage" policy, though, because I can't drink that much Port in one sitting.

You need to come to the UK for some intensive training :twisted:

I get the feeling I'm going to get some of that intensive training this weekend... :help:

[Moses Botbol]

Chinese restaurants are the most common ones to do this in Boston. In Boston, bringing wine is suppose to be illegal if they sell alcohol. Not that it has stopped me from doing this before. A couple of places I know the managers at and I'll bring in a port bottle for him to drink along with us, so everyone wins.

One place in Wellesley is BYOB and I've been anxious to go there for some time. It's a Greek restaurant and I have a couple of Imperials that would be a hoot to open with a group.

[Brian C.]

I'd think it's doable in Chicago, though I've never tried that before. Many restaurants that don't have liquor licenses have BYOB policies. I don't know how the licensing works, but I gather that they carry insurance because their potential liability still exists if they are permitting consumption on the premises. The only difficulty with BYOB is that the establishment has to be one I can walk or take the train to. I'd be afraid to drive afterward. Many restaurants that have a liquor license do allow BYOB, but I'd imagine that the corkage fee would be a lot more. There are some restaurants that are relaxing this somewhat, and allowing people to bring in their own for free on select evenings, in an effort to drum up more business.

[Steve E.]

And yes, they'll let you take the rest of your bottle with you even if it's one you bought from them. I hadn't added those to bits together before... so yeah, I'll have to bring a bottle of Port with me next time!

Then you're in business, and there's a Costco just a couple of miles up the hill for the gift cards (and in a pinch, they currently have Otima and Bin 27 for sale).