The BYO Wine Restaurant Thread


for those in VIC, if a restaurant refuses to allow BYO because they are "fully licensed" or "have wine but not a BYO licence", then let them know:
If you already hold a liquor licence and your venue’s main activity is preparing and serving meals, such as a restaurant or a café, you do not need an additional licence or permit to allow people to BYO.
(1) This section applies if -
(a) a licence authorises the licensee to supply liquor for consumption on licensed premises or on any authorised premises; and
(b) the predominant activity carried on on the licensed premises is the preparation and serving of meals for consumption on the licensed premises; and
(c) tables and chairs are placed in position on the licensed premises so as to be available for at least 75% of the patrons attending the premises at any one time.
(2) If this section applies, the licence authorises a person of or over the age of 18 years, with the consent of the licensee, to -
(a) bring liquor onto, or possess or control liquor on, the premises for consumption with a meal purchased on those premises; and
(b) consume that liquor with that meal; and
(c) take away from the premises any container brought onto the premises by him or her containing any such liquor that was not consumed with that meal.
 
for those in VIC, if a restaurant refuses to allow BYO because they are fully licensed, or have wine but not a BYO licence, then let them know:
If you already hold a liquor licence and your venue’s main activity is preparing and serving meals, such as a restaurant or a café, you do not need an additional licence or permit to allow people to BYO.
(1) This section applies if -
(a) a licence authorises the licensee to supply liquor for consumption on licensed premises or on any authorised premises; and
(b) the predominant activity carried on on the licensed premises is the preparation and serving of meals for consumption on the licensed premises; and
(c) tables and chairs are placed in position on the licensed premises so as to be available for at least 75% of the patrons attending the premises at any one time.
(2) If this section applies, the licence authorises a person of or over the age of 18 years, with the consent of the licensee, to -
(a) bring liquor onto, or possess or control liquor on, the premises for consumption with a meal purchased on those premises; and
(b) consume that liquor with that meal; and
(c) take away from the premises any container brought onto the premises by him or her containing any such liquor that was not consumed with that meal.
Yeah fun isn't it standing there at the entrance arguing with management over BYO wine - nah not for me - but by all means fell free to pursue that yourself 👍
 
Yeah fun isn't it standing there at the entrance arguing with management over BYO wine - nah not for me - but by all means fell free to pursue that yourself 👍
Call ahead (if the website doesn't have details) to check before booking as it's common for BYO to only be offered on certain days.
 
Tago-an at the Rocks sounds interesting. Reviews consistently 5* for the food and 1* for service ("owner screamed at us"😆)
Faulty Towers comes to Sydney?
Added to my to do list!
 

for those in VIC, if a restaurant refuses to allow BYO because they are "fully licensed" or "have wine but not a BYO licence", then let them know:
If you already hold a liquor licence and your venue’s main activity is preparing and serving meals, such as a restaurant or a café, you do not need an additional licence or permit to allow people to BYO.
(1) This section applies if -
(a) a licence authorises the licensee to supply liquor for consumption on licensed premises or on any authorised premises; and
(b) the predominant activity carried on on the licensed premises is the preparation and serving of meals for consumption on the licensed premises; and
(c) tables and chairs are placed in position on the licensed premises so as to be available for at least 75% of the patrons attending the premises at any one time.
(2) If this section applies, the licence authorises a person of or over the age of 18 years, with the consent of the licensee, to -
(a) bring liquor onto, or possess or control liquor on, the premises for consumption with a meal purchased on those premises; and
(b) consume that liquor with that meal; and
(c) take away from the premises any container brought onto the premises by him or her containing any such liquor that was not consumed with that meal.

WA is the same. It's ridiculous when they trot out the license excuse. No license at all required to allow BYO and holding a liquor license doesn't preclude allowing BYO. I'm more than happy to pay corkage, but just don't lie to me about the reason.
 
WA is the same. It's ridiculous when they trot out the license excuse. No license at all required to allow BYO and holding a liquor license doesn't preclude allowing BYO. I'm more than happy to pay corkage, but just don't lie to me about the reason.
Last time I brought this argument, I was told that BYO "is against the law". I politely replied (to a horror of my wife who booked it) that the only thing that should be against the law is your wine list
 
There's an Indian restaurant in Subiaco that has a really average wine list. They allow BYO Tues and Wed night though. We wanted to go on a Thursday and called up to see if we could BYO. Said happy to pay corkage. They didn't want to budge so we went elsewhere. Walked past the restaurant and it was 80% empty. Go figure!
 
Had to pay $75 corkage for a Hill of Grace in Macquarie Street Sydney. Now that restaurant has a current menu that keeps us away.
 
Australia's highest-earning Velocity Frequent Flyer credit card: Offer expires: 30 Apr 2025
- Earn 100,000 bonus Velocity Points
- Get unlimited Virgin Australia Lounge access
- Enjoy a complimentary return Virgin Australia domestic flight each year

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Last time I brought this argument, I was told that BYO "is against the law". I politely replied (to a horror of my wife who booked it) that the only thing that should be against the law is your wine list
Of course the ‘against the law’ is really just an easy excuse but equally they aren’t required to allow you to BYO regardless so (aside from loving an argument) not sure the point with argument. Being right doesn’t always get you anything except a sore head.
 
Of course the ‘against the law’ is really just an easy excuse but equally they aren’t required to allow you to BYO regardless so (aside from loving an argument) not sure the point with argument. Being right doesn’t always get you anything except a sore head.
Sure, they didn't have to, but why to bring up the BS "legal" excuse as justification? I would not have replied like I did if they simply just said that we don't allow BYO. Full stop.
 
Sure, they didn't have to, but why to bring up the BS "legal" excuse as justification? I would not have replied like I did if they simply just said that we don't allow BYO. Full stop.
Sure that's you but for many the legal excuse is an easy way to stop the conversation. As far as I know the license itself doesn't say they are allowed to allow BYO so it may well be just ignorance of the law.
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.
Back
Top