Reservations are Hurting Bars

Reservations are Hurting Bars

From VinePair Podcast by VinePair

May 28, 2026 · 21 min · Season 8 · Episode 42

About this episode

Adam and Joanna discuss how reservation-only bars are negatively impacting the industry due to the influence of credit card companies.

Adam and Joanna dive into why the proliferation of reservation-only bars is hurting the industry, and has a surprising root cause. How is it that credit card companies and their desire to provide high-end perks for big spenders are changing the way that bars have always operated? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Joanna is reading: Malört Was Made for the Shot. Bartenders Are Changing That. Adam is reading: It’s Been 50 Years Since the Judgement of Paris — It’s Time to Move On. Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Hosts: Adam, Joanna

Topics covered

  • reservation-only bars
  • impact on the industry
  • credit card companies
  • high-end perks
  • bar operations

Keywords

  • reservation bars
  • credit card companies
  • bar industry
  • high-end perks
  • hospitality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: VinePair

Books & works: Malört Was Made for the Shot. Bartenders Are Changing That., It’s Been 50 Years Since the Judgement of Paris — It’s Time to Move On.

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