More Restaurants Inviting You To Bring Your Own Booze

(BYOB or BYO — the abbreviations stand for "bring your own bottle," "bring your own booze" and "bring your own" — are used to identify restaurants where patrons are allowed to bring in their own alcoholic beverages.)

In the past, BYO was limited to casual establishments without liquor permits, but that cork has popped. Many restaurants with liquor licenses are allowing patrons to bypass the wine list and bring their own, while restaurants without liquor licenses are permitting diners to show up with wine, beer and even favorite cocktails.

Devon Perry, founder of GOBYO.com, a Web-based guide to BYO-friendly restaurants in metro areas across the country, says she has seen a 10 percent increase in restaurants allowing diners to "bring their own" since the site launched in 2007.

Perry, whose site focuses on establishments that allow customers to bring their favorite wines, says the development is a win-win situation for restaurants and restaurant-goers.

"For customers, bringing your own can trim a fair amount from the cost of a dinner out, since the markup on wine is often as much as 300 to 400 percent. Even when you factor in a corkage fee, you still save," says Perry. "For restaurants, allowing patrons to bring their own can help increase traffic during a bad economy."

Not all restaurants allowing you to BYO publicize the fact. (What patrons don't know will cost them that 300- to 400-percent markup mentioned above.) Jeff Gledhill, manager and buyer for West Side Wines & Spirits in West Hartford, helps educate his customers by offering a list of area BYOB-friendly restaurants.

"We've been doing it for several years, and customers really like it. BYO gives them more options when dining out," says Gledhill. "They tell us about new BYO places they've discovered, and we keep the list as updated as possible."

Gledhill says some diners are drawn by the money-saving aspect of BYO, while others relish the opportunity to research, choose and pair their own wines and foods. But even picky oenophiles are exploring more moderately priced options.

Consumers More Cost-Conscious

The Wall Street Journal reports that many consumers who switched to less-expensive wines when tough times hit continue to savor the bouquet of cheaper vino. According to the market research firm Nielson Co., unit sales of wines priced from $9 to $12 a bottle rose 12 percent in 2010, a larger growth rate than higher-priced options.

Greg Tousignant, general manager at Grant's restaurant in West Hartford, says allowing diners to BYO encourages more traffic. (Grant's charges a $25 per bottle corkage fee.)

"In this economy, we're looking to encourage people to come out and enjoy our restaurant," he says.

Erik Bush, wine director at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse in West Hartford, which also allows patrons to BYO, says about 25 percent of those who bring their own wine do it to save money. (Fleming charges a $15 per bottle corkage fee.)

"The other 75 percent do it because it's an important occasion, or they have a special bottle of wine they'd like to enjoy," says Bush.

Diners at casual eateries without bars often arrive with wine, beer or even hard liquor. The Guilford Bistro allows patrons to bring wine, beer or cocktails and provides glasses and ice buckets at a nominal cost. Mixers are available at the Spicy Green Bean Deli in Glastonbury for those diners who favor a alcoholic beverage with their meal.

On Blue Sky Foods' website, patrons are invited to bring beer and wine or even rum or tequila to spice up creations from the New Hartford restaurant's tropical fruit smoothie bar. Owner Deb Kuszaj says the arrangement works well.

"We never wanted to deal with a liquor license," she says. "This way we focus on our food; customers bring just what they want and save money."

Showing Some Class

Bringing your own to a chic eatery demands more panache than a bottle in a brown paper bag. Colorz4You markets silk wine purses in a variety of patterns. The bags, complete with corkscrews, feature lined interiors and elastic straps to keep bottles securely in place.

Riedel, makers of stemless wineglasses sells "O" to Go glasses — white and red wine glasses nestled in sturdy, travel-size tubes that can be tossed into handbags or briefcases.

This month, BuiltNY released one- and two-bottle neoprene totes in chic designs and patterns.

If you're concerned about traveling to or from a restaurant with an open bottle of your favorite alcoholic beverage in your car, not to worry. Connecticut has no restrictions against it.

"It's illegal to drink while driving, and it's illegal to drive drunk. But it's not illegal to have an open container of alcohol in your vehicle," says West Hartford Police Chief Edward Strillacci.