cover charge

American  

noun

1. a fee, in addition to the cost of food and drink, charged by a restaurant, nightclub, etc., for entertainment.

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cover charge British  

noun

1. a sum of money charged in a restaurant for each individual customer in addition to the cost of food and drink

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Etymology

Origin of cover charge

An Americanism dating back to 1920–25

Example Sentences

The small crowd on the sidewalk outside Star Garden is indignant about a newly instituted $40-a-person cover charge, which is significantly higher than at nearby bars, dancers say.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2023

There's a cover charge for show nights, but bowling is reasonable if you have a group, as it's only $35 per lane, per half hour.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2023

The acquisition of an elite quarterback is the cover charge for sustained NFL success, and they aced that part when they drafted and developed Mahomes.

From Washington Post • Jan. 20, 2023

It’s essentially a cover charge to get into the same page where you might be able to click a buy button, or you might not.

From The Verge • Nov. 19, 2021

It is only 135 hours until we are all standing at the door of Atlantis again with our cover charge in our palms.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King