Rule of Thumb - Price per Pour at Bars / Restaurants?

[grantsi]

Like many of the posters here, I'm comforted knowing the "good stuff" is at home and "free" in the sense the money has been spent . However, there are also bottles I'm not willing to pay for.because the absolute cash outlay is out of my range. However, paying $25 or $40 for a healthy pour allows me to check the box. I know the economics of it don't make sense, but $40 is always less than $300.

[grantsi]

I do like one of the posters comment about value per hour. If the drink is part of the experience, as opposed to a simple glass of booze, then a bigger premium is far more tolerable.

[p_elliott]

I have found that the average price for a pour is 1/4 to 1/3 the cost of the bottle.

[jwilson82]

I do like one of the posters comment about value per hour

I think this is exactly it. We all know that you're paying (much) more for a pour when you're out on the town that you would for that same pour from your cabinet at home. But in exchange for that markup you get the atmosphere of the bar, the conversation with whoever, the chance to get off your couch, etc. Those intangibles have to be (at least for me) a consideration in determining whether a pour is worth the price.

I pay more for a pour from the local bourbon bar (Dry 85) than I do for the same pour from the Cheesecake Factory attached to the mall and I'm fine with that. I feel like the $15/pour or "25% of the bottle" rules don't take enough into account.

[grantsi]

I think this is exactly it. We all know that you're paying (much) more for a pour when you're out on the town that you would for that same pour from your cabinet at home. But in exchange for that markup you get the atmosphere of the bar, the conversation with whoever, the chance to get off your couch, etc. Those intangibles have to be (at least for me) a consideration in determining whether a pour is worth the price.

I pay more for a pour from the local bourbon bar (Dry 85) than I do for the same pour from the Cheesecake Factory attached to the mall and I'm fine with that. I feel like the $15/pour or "25% of the bottle" rules don't take enough into account.

This sums up my opinion perfectly. I would go on to say the drink at Cheesecake Factory almost has to pay me to consume it...the atmosphere there takes about 75% of the enjoyment away.

[berto]

1/4 to 1/3 the price of the bottle is what I hear is the going rate. When out and about I look for stuff I want to try but can't find a bottle or stuff I like at a reasonable price. I do a quick calculation to figure out if the price is reasonable. That said I usually drink beer when out.

[brettckeen]

In IL, sales tax is included in the price of the drink. The tax man assumes that the bar will sell at a 20% liquor cost, so take the cost of the bottle lets say $30 wholesale, the tax man expects you to generate $150 in revenue or roughly $6 per oz. And he expects to receive his sales tax on that bottle on the 20th of the next month the product was received.(something like $13.50 on that bottle) So when I go out I expect to pay at least 5 times the price at the liquor store. More if I am in an area with super high property taxes or a ritzy accomodations.

This isn't to mention the $1.03 tax per 750ml the bar pays when it receives the goods (county and city liquor tax)

*also you could sell for only a %50 liquor cost if you wanted... just expect an audit... all the time.

Edited June 27, 2014 by brettckeen

[Restaurant man]

Damn. That is crazy. I've never heard of that. Reminds me of goodfellas. "F-you pay me"

[Chi-Town]

I paid 16 dollars for a nice pour of Eagle Rare 17.