Why is it that prices for alcoholic drinks are typically not listed on a restaurant menu?

Question

I don't respect restaurants that do this. They know that you look like a cheap person for asking about the price so they use this to sell. I think it is shady and underhanded and I will not go to these type of establishments

Answer 1

I've worked in a restaurant for 20+ years, and I don't even know!! We have a full bar, ( separate from the restaurant),  and we don't list alcohol at all. We have beer signs in the windows though...

I definately will ask my boss today why alcohol isn't mentioned in menus.

My guess is the cost. I've been to restaurants and they will list some drinks, but never the price. But places with full bars, there are soo many drinks that can be made, plus, there are always new ones to be invented. I know we have a list that we go by, and I bet there are close to 100 different mixed drinks, plus the beer prices on the list.

People do get scared when they see the price. I know alcohol can jump your food bill quite a bit.

But I will definately ask my boss today. I'm curious myself!!

Answer 2

I know why.

You would need a menu the size of an encyclopedia.

Say you have a listing for drinks like:

Screwdriver

Cuba Libre

Tequila Sunrise

Gin & Tonic

They each contain a different liquor and there are hundreds of brands of liquors. We would have to list the price of every liquor for evey drink. Prices fluxuate, new products come along very frequently and it also gives the restaurant a chance to upsale.

It's not there to annoy you. But rather to make you aware of options without us paying insane printing costs.

Answer 3

it may b its overpriced and they want u 2 by it

Answer 4

because they know you will be hesitant to ask as that would give the impression that you are frugal or cheap......................but you already came there to spend 10x what it would cost you to eat the same piece of meat at your lazy household.chain restaurants charge $2.50 for a soda.4 ppl..............$10.00.you havent even ordered FOOD yet.............GET IT?now spend $12.00 per meal per person(low avg)and it cost you $50 to go out to eat HAMBURGERS at applebys for 4 ppl.yes,they will clean your frying pan.........and they will go to the store for you to get your food........................but now you have to leave the server a $10.00 tip.so you spent $60.00 for 4 hamburgers and 4 sodas............we do that at my house for $12.00.and we listen to music and talk about our lives.............no distractions..........i dont know...............maybe im crazy...............

Answer 5

I manager a restaurant and the biggest reason is that the beverage menu has a lot of pictures and is extremely expensive to print. Also in most bar the tax is included in the price so when the tax or the price of 1 drink goes up the whole menu has to be reprinted at a considerable expense.

Answer 6

because then you would know how much they cost and not buy them ;)

Answer 7

because they cost alot.  its a marketing/ sales thing

Answer 8

Because they cost a lot, so they think if you just order one without knowing the price maybe the drink will make you buy another drink without thinking about price and before you know it you racked up a $30.00 drink bill.

Answer 9

Not sure. But I'd venture to guess they want you to order it after you've decided it would go good with your meal, and more likely not to care about the price.

Or maybe they know it's overpriced and just want you to order without asking.

Either way, its definitely a conspiracy.

Answer 10

Usually, a mixed drink will be between $7.50 to $10.00.  When added to your meal ticket...it gets rather expensive.  I'll have a good beer anytime.