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Brew City's BYOB law needs refreshing
"Bar Month" at OnMilwaukee.com is back for another round! The whole month of February, we're serving up intoxicatingly fun articles on bars and clubs -- including guides, the latest trends, rapid bar reviews and more. Grab a designated driver and dive in!
Wisconsin state law prohibits bars and restaurants from allowing customers to bring in their own wine or beer. Next week on OnMilwaukee.com, local restaurateurs will weigh in on this issue and dish up the pros and cons of the law.
In the meantime, let's examine this issue.
Illinois does not have this law, and consequently, hundreds of Chicago restaurants allow diners to bring in a bottle of wine. Sometimes a "corkage fee" is charged, but sometimes not.
Personally, I believe that BYO-friendly restaurants would encourage people to dine out more often. In this economy, it seems like any incentive to seat people at tables is a good idea.
I mentioned this to a lawyer friend and jokingly asked her to change this law en pronto. She came back with a truthful response: that lawyers sometimes write the laws, but citizens actually change the laws.
So, what do you say, Milwaukee? Who's with me? Shall we band together and change this law? I’m thinking "WTF?" to Wisconsin’s ban on BYO.
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valeriemv | Feb. 9, 2010 at 9:04 a.m. (report)
McDoogs, holy rant. Wrong forum. NEXT!
Let people BYO for goodness sake. Yes, restaurants can use it as an incentive. WI drinks liberally, it is proven. We should do it how we want.
Makes me think of the recent regulatory silliness where folks can no longer BYO to Jazz in the Park. THAT is a commercial theft of a once free for all type scene. WTF indeed.
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b | Feb. 4, 2010 at 4:15 p.m. (report)
I wish we would stop comparing ourselves to chicago on every level. we are not and will never be chicago and trying to be makes us sound like a whiny litlle brother saying 'thats not fair' all the time. BYOB is necessary in Chicago due to the fact that they dont hand out liquor licenses like halloween candy as milwaukee does. The same people looking to save a few bucks by carrying in would also balk at the increased food prices to make up for it. Im all about promoting change but sometimes we just need to embrace the way our town is and stop trying to be chicago all the time.
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rob | Feb. 4, 2010 at 9:09 a.m. (report)
I have no problem with a restaurant charging a "corking fee" if it agrees with BYOB. Good article, Molly.
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sandstorm | Feb. 4, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. (report)
"corking fee".
you rubes have got to be the most gullible people on earth.
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Broner | Feb. 3, 2010 at 4:35 p.m. (report)
Mcdoogs, OMC's MO is not to really examine the issues they raise.
The basic argument goes, "I want (or don't want) something. Someplace else allows (or doesn't allow) it. Therefore, it should be allowed (or not allowed) here. Everyone agrees with me, right?"
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