Corkage Fees in Texas

I may be wrong, but I believe corkage is illegal in Texas.

There are a number of posters from Texas. I'm sure they can better address this for you.

wine+art, you out there??

Corkage is supposedly illegal in Texas depending on the type of license. I'll tell you right now that 99% of the restaurants you call will tell you "no corkage is allowed, it's against the law because of our liquor license". However, that's not always true.

Having said all of that...

If you call the establishment ahead of time and ask to speak directly to the manager and nicely explain you're in town for a special occassion and have a couple of special bottles you'd like to discreetly bring to the restaurant you might be able to get them in. Some places will just let you do it. Some will let you do it for a corkage fee. Some will let you buy a bottle off of their list for a bottle brought in. Some simply won't allow it under any circumstances.

Let me know if you have any other questions and best of luck.

We arranged it in one restaurant by calling in advance and letting them know our reservation was contingent upon them allowing BYO.

Winesteven,

Wineismylife is correct in that you need to call ahead and check with management - be sure to stress discreetly. Some will do it and some will not.

If you need any additional information about San Antonio let me know! Have a great trip and pack light clothes as it's already in the low 90s here.

Vino - Thank you, but so far I'm having absolutely no luck, and as such will probably leave my wine home. However, if you know of a couple of specific restaurants in San Antonio, with the managers names that will be cooperative, I'd greatly appreciate their phone numbers, and I'll give them a call today. Thank you.

It's difficult to say who will and who won't because in my experience it depends upon who you talk to and what kind of day they're having. I don't know many specific managers but if you tell me where you're staying along with any preferences for cuisine, atmosphere and price I may be able to throw a couple suggestions your way.

Vino - We're staying at the Marriott Rivercenter, and would probably like to eat around the Riverwalk. Price per person for an entree around $15 - $35, and we enjoy all cuisine. Nice, quiet atmosphere, linen tablecloths and napkins, with wait staff who have been "nicely" trained, is our preference. Please let us know if you know of places like that that allow discreet wine with corkage. Thank you.

I was hoping you wouldn't say that - not because you won't have a wonderful time but because BYO options downtown, especially along the Riverwalk, don't exist. Nonetheless the Riverwalk is beautiful and your hotel is one of the nicer ones downtown.

Here are a few suggestions for "finer" dining along the Riverwalk (without considering BYO but you can try):

Biga on the Banks
Las Ramblas
Las Canarias
Paesanos
Le Reve
Pesca
Citrus

a few more casual dining spots on the river or downtown:

Acenar
Boudros
Rosarios
Guenther House
La Margarita

and a bar or two:

Zinc
Swig
Jim Cullum's Jazz Landing
Dirty Nelly's Irish Pub

Sorry I couldn't help with the BYO but hopefully these will help with dining plans. If there's anything else you need just reply. Have a great trip!

Vino - Thanks for all your help. However, we'll leave our fine wine home, and just enjoy the dining experience with their wine. Your list of fine dining establishments on the Riverwalk is extremely helpful. Thanks so much.

Nice to know that Florida is easisr to find a BYOB in...looks like there's something you can't blame on a Bush...at least in Florida that is..!!!