Corkage Meaning: Outside Catering at Venues

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Corkage is a fee a venue charges for letting you bring your own food or drink instead of using its in-house catering or bar. It began as a restaurant term for bringing your own wine. The fee can be per person, a flat amount, or a share of your outside catering cost, so always ask how it is calculated.

At a glance

  • Corkage is a venue fee for outside food or drink, charged to offset the revenue the venue would earn from its own catering or bar.
  • Three common policies: in-house catering only, outside catering allowed freely, or outside catering allowed with a corkage-style fee.
  • Budget rule: compare the full cost of in-house and outside catering, with corkage included, not just the headline catering price.

What does corkage mean at an event venue?

Originally a term for bringing your own wine to a restaurant, "corkage" now describes any fee a venue charges for allowing outside food or drink. The aim is usually to offset the revenue the venue would otherwise make from its own kitchen or bar. At event venues, it commonly applies when you want to use your own caterer or bring in your own beverages.

What are the common venue catering policies?

Venues usually follow one of three approaches:

  1. In-house catering only. You must use the venue's own caterer.
  2. Outside catering allowed freely. You bring your own caterer, with no extra charge.
  3. Outside catering with a corkage-style fee. Outside catering is allowed, with a charge for bringing food or drink from outside the venue's own kitchen or bar.

How is a corkage fee calculated?

Structures vary, so ask exactly how it works. It might be charged per person, as a flat amount for the event, or as a percentage of your outside catering cost. Ask which applies, whether it covers drinks as well as food, and whether it appears in your written contract.

Is outside catering cheaper than in-house?

Not automatically. It is easy to assume outside catering is cheaper, but once a corkage fee is added, in-house catering can come out even or cheaper, especially for a menu style the venue already specialises in. Compare the full cost of both options, including corkage, service staff, crockery and cleanup, not just the headline catering price.

What is a minimum spend, and how does it relate?

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 finalising your catering plan

  • Whether outside catering is allowed at all, and under what conditions
  • The exact corkage fee structure, if one applies
  • A full cost comparison between in-house and outside catering
  • Dietary and cuisine flexibility for whichever option you choose
  • Whether a minimum spend applies instead of, or alongside, a room rental

Catering is also one of the largest line items in any event budget. See our event budget breakdown for the other categories to plan for.

Where can you find venues with clear catering terms?

You can browse venues across Delhi NCR on ShiftsDeal and confirm the specific catering terms directly before booking. For catering-heavy events, see kitty party venues and birthday party venues.

Frequently asked questions

What is corkage?

Corkage is a fee a venue charges for allowing you to bring your own food or drink, rather than using its in-house catering or bar.

What does a corkage fee cover?

It usually offsets the venue's lost catering or bar revenue. Ask how it is calculated and whether it covers both food and drink.

Can I bring my own caterer to a venue?

It depends on the venue. Some require in-house catering, some allow outside catering freely, and many allow it with a corkage fee. Confirm the policy before booking.

Is in-house catering cheaper than outside catering with corkage?

It can be, especially when the venue specialises in the menu style you want. Compare full costs rather than headline prices.

Does corkage apply to alcohol only?

The term comes from wine, but many venues use it for any outside food or drink. Ask how your venue defines it.