If you have a specific caterer in mind, or a menu style a venue's own kitchen does not offer, whether outside catering is allowed becomes one of the first questions worth asking, and the answer varies a lot from venue to venue.

The three common policies you'll run into

Some venues require you to use their in-house caterer exclusively. Some allow outside catering freely, with no extra charge. Many sit in between: outside catering is allowed, but with a corkage-style fee, a charge for bringing food or drink from outside the venue's own kitchen or bar.

What a corkage-style fee actually covers

Originally a term for bringing your own wine to a restaurant, "corkage" has broadened to describe any fee a venue charges for allowing outside food or drink, usually to offset the revenue it would otherwise make from its own catering or bar service. Ask exactly how this fee is calculated, per person, a flat amount, or a percentage of your outside catering cost, since the structures vary.

In-house catering is not always the more expensive option

It is easy to assume outside catering is automatically cheaper, but once a corkage fee is factored in, in-house catering can sometimes come out even or cheaper, especially for a menu style the venue already specializes in. Compare the full cost of both options, not just the headline catering price.

Ask about dietary and cuisine flexibility either way

Whether you go in-house or outside, confirm the caterer can actually accommodate your specific dietary requirements and cuisine preferences. An in-house kitchen built around one style of food may not flex easily for a very different menu request.

Minimum spend as an alternative structure

Some venues, especially smaller cafes or intimate spaces, use a minimum spend requirement instead of a flat room rental, particularly for catering-heavy events like a kitty party or a smaller celebration. Ask about both pricing structures before assuming a flat rental is the only option.

What to confirm before finalizing your catering plan

Whether outside catering is allowed at all, and under what conditions
The exact corkage fee structure, if one applies
Full cost comparison between in-house and outside catering, not just headline prices
Dietary and cuisine flexibility confirmed for whichever option you choose
Whether a minimum spend applies instead of, or alongside, a room rental

You can browse verified venues with catering policies shown clearly across Delhi NCR on ShiftsDeal, and confirm the specific terms directly before booking.

Corkage and Outside Catering: How It Actually Works at Rented Venues