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

Last week, the club agreed to reduce the cover charge to $25 from $40; it continues to enforce a one-drink-minimum policy.

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

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

Most years, the NBA Finals feel like an exclusive club with a stiff cover charge and beefy bouncers.

From Washington Post • Jun. 7, 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