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Opinions/Thoughts needed

nyc_sunshinenyc_sunshine member
10 Comments
in California-Los Angeles
Ladies, does this sound right to you?So my venue allows us to bring in our own liquor.  We are doing mostly wine, beer and vodka (bestman drinks only goose so this is just for him).  I was told we are required to have 2 bartenders (we have a 100 guests, also bartenders are thru catering company and catering is exclusive to the venue) PLUS we get also get charge a $3.00 corkage fee per bottle of wine.  This just doesn't sound right to me.  What I am paying 2 bartenders for?  I'm afraid to say anything since I don't want trouble.  What's your advice?  Thanks!
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Re: Opinions/Thoughts needed

  • csunsweetiecsunsweetie member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
     We brought in our own and our venue did require us to have our own bartender.  I hired one person specifically for this but we weren't charged any sort of corking fee. Is this through the catering company or is the fee through the venue?
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  • nyc_sunshinenyc_sunshine member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    its through the catering company but she is also the liaison for the venue.  here's the thing i asked for just 1 bartender since there's practically no drink mixing.  She told me their minumum is 2 bartenders (@ $145 each) and also charging me $3 for corkage.
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  • csunsweetiecsunsweetie member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Does it say anything in your original contract? That sucks. I only needed to have 1 (145 people) but the venue wasn't affiliated with the catering co.
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  • jewwellyjewwelly member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We didn't have to pay for our bartender, but the corking fee was $10 at our place which was why we just used their alcohol. I might ask what the cut off is for only 1 bartender and say that some of your guests don't drink so you really only need 1. It doesn't hurt to haggle.
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  • nyc_sunshinenyc_sunshine member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    that's the thing, she said she does NOT ever do just 1 bartender and at the same time not happy if it's not going through vendors recommended by her.  It's amazing how much monoply this woman has at this particular venue.  Every penny counts but I don't want to bump heads with her either.  Arghhh...
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  • erika13parrerika13parr member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    thats silly, one bartender should be enough for 100 people.  You should say something, you have the right to ask, your paying and you should be happy. 
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  • Khimes7Khimes7 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I do a lot of event planning for work and I've found a lot of places have a bartender to guest ratio. Even if you aren't doing lots of mixed drinks, you might still be on the hook for two bartenders. It sucks but $3 for corkage is really low in my experience. I don't see the harm in nicely asking her to explain the charges or see what your other options might be.
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  • malibu09bridemalibu09bride member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    NYC- I totally feel you on not wanting to bump heads. I feel like my venue should pick up the increase in sales tax, but I'm not sure how big of a deal I want to make about it. I hope this all works out for you. Well, even if there is a corkage fee are you still coming out ahead by bringing in your own stuff?
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  • shortnugshortnug
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    This is the stuff that drives me crazy. Even if it is standard, why do you pay for the bartenders AND pay for them to cork a bottle of wine? Umm hello what's next a buck for taking off the vodka cap, mixer caps, fifty cents for throwing the bottle in the recycling ( I hope recycling)... You are already paying them to be there what the eff is the corking fee for? Honestly, you really will not likely have contact with these people again don't let them walk on you. I say tell her you decided not to have any alcohol because of the cost and see what she says!
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  • nyc_sunshinenyc_sunshine member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    shortnug, that was exactly my point too.  Fine I HAVE to have 2 bartenders but why am I paying $3 on top of it for corkage?!??!!!  You'll love this too.....I have to pay $60 for ice.  Ha!
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  • 23sb23sb member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    hey nyc, i just noticed ur e mail. We're getting charged the same too. It's pretty standard. I see what you mean about wanting only 1 bartender, but maybe try looking at it this way - we are fortunate to be able to have an open bar at all because we're able to bring in all our own alcohol which saves us A LOT of money. We'd have to hire bartenders anyway but it just has to be through sag catering and corkage fees are pretty common. $3 per bottle is very reasonable in comparison to what other venues charge. HTH!
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    Knottie Warrior 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yeah, I agree I think it is rather strange that they charge you an additional corkage fee after you are already paying extra for bartenders.Did they mention why? The good news is there are a lot of good wines that are still fairly reasonable even with the extra $3 corkage fee tacked on.You could also be sneaky and get bigger bottles :)Some places will also do the open a new bottle trick.  They will clear off guests wine glasses so they have to put new wine glasses and open a new bottle, even if one is already open and not empty yet.  Watch for that.
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  • uscppguscppg
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree.  If you are paying for the bartenders, you shouldn't need to pay a corkage fee.Is there anything in your contract for the venue saying you have to use her bartenders, or just a licensed bartender?I can understand not wanting to rock the boat to much...but in the end you are only required to do it if your venue contract stipulates bartenders must be provided by the cater.Good luck
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  • RedPillRedPill
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I know that corkage fees are a state law, so I doubt that you could do anything about that. If you have a 100 guests you probably don't want everyone waiting in a huge line for a single bartender to help them. I had about a 100 guests too and 3 bartenders.Sherryhttp://pinkcalyx.wordpress.com/
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  • phiaskaphiaska
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree that 1 bartender for 100 people is going to create long lines at the bar. Even if they're not drinking alcohol, they'll have to stand in that line to get a soda. That part makes sense. If they're only charging you $3 for each bottle of wine and nothing else, well... I guess that could run between $190 and $250 (depending on how many people drink wine and how much of it they drink), which isn't exactly pittance but in the grand scheme of things, probably not enough to get into it with the lady. Ask her if there is ANY way at all that you can negotiate any part of the catering budget to allow for this. If not, you'll probably be resentful up until the time you're too busy dancing as Mrs. nyc_sunshine to care :)
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