I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t usually visit airport restaurants, but a sign I saw at Miami International Airport (MIA) this morning surprised me…
In this post:
Airport restaurant advertises bottomless mimosas
It’s common for people to drink more than usual at airports. I mean, an airport is one of the few places you can have a beer, glass of wine, or vodka soda, at 5AM, without being judged too hard. However, here’s something I’ve never seen before — while walking past Sushi Maki at Miami Airport, I saw a sign advertising “bottomless mimosas,” which cost $27.50, with a two-hour maximum.
Hey, I have no issues with the concept of a bottomless brunch, or something, but at an airport? That’s quite something.
This doesn’t technically violate any rules, but…
Ordinarily, you partake in bottomless drinks if you’re looking to get… well, smashed. After all, if you’re looking to just have a drink or two, odds are that you’re not going to take advantage of a deal where you can drink as much as you want in a specific period of time.
Technically, this concept doesn’t violate any Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). FARs don’t dictate exactly how many drinks you can have, since it’s all about how you’re acting, and everyone becomes intoxicated at different points.
However, regulations do state that airlines have to deny boarding to passengers who appear to be intoxicated, and I have to imagine that someone taking advantage of bottomless drinks is more likely to be intoxicated than someone who isn’t. 😉
I think what makes this sort of tricky is that airport vendors are supposed to cut off passengers if they appear to be intoxicated. That’s easy enough to do if someone pays for each drink individually. It’s a little trickier to do if someone pays for the privilege of unlimited drinks.
I suppose one could argue that this is the same as an airport lounge, where people have access to unlimited drinks. However, I think the psychology is a bit different when you’re paying specifically for bottomless drinks, rather than if your ticket includes lounge access, and that gives you access to alcohol.
Bottom line
If you’ve always wanted to enjoy bottomless mimosas at an airport, just head over to Sushi Maki at Miami Airport, where you can drink as much as your heart (or liver) desires over the course of two hours, for $27.50. Just don’t get intoxicated, or something, or else you could be denied boarding on your flight.
Has anyone else seen an airport restaurant market bottomless alcoholic drinks?
I don't really understand how this is any different from the people who buy four or five or six stiff drinks at an airport bar-- because the price is fixed it's a problem? I don't think any hardcore drunk is going to get excited about bottomless mimosas.
Now I'm just waiting to see the headline: "Florida man arrested after bottomless mimosas offer results in drunken rampage"
As long as the pilot isn't taking advantage, I'm fine with it.
Yeah, a lot of preachiness in this article.
I bet it is mixed with Cook's Sparkling Brut... Imagine the profit margin!
Mimosas are quite diluted cocktails anyway...
"Hey, I have no issues with the concept of a bottomless brunch, or something, "
"a bottomless brunch"
So only bruches with tops?
Hey.... 'bottomless' or 'topless' you're guaranteed to be pleased and XXXtra lucky if ya get both !
.. lol
The true danger with cheap mimosas, sangria and other bottomless beverages at the airport is the barf factor. They may not reach full intoxication from sugary mixers and wine but sick they will achieve.
Great ... So if the flight isn't diverted, it will reek of vomitus until it's forced to divert !
... lol
It's crazy how prevalent alcohol dependency and abuse is and how we just straight up embrace and encourage it in public
Personally, I'd rather people drink to excess and fly rather than drink moderately and drive.
First, I agree
Second, I'm pretty sure you've written this verbatim before
Probably yeah. Imo it's a huge issue nobody is addressing
I'm unsure that this is "prevalent"... maybe this has to do with the company you keep?
Personally, I think it's all about the mighty dollar and any resulting consequences be damned !
After all, isn't that the American way ?
... lol
It's crazy how much of a judgy Nancy you are. I bet you have warm milk before bed
They're gonna be so watered down you're more likely to see fights with the waitstaff than drunks denied boading.
and 'endless' queues at the restrooms !
"However, I think the psychology is a bit different when you’re paying specifically for bottomless drinks, rather than if your ticket includes lounge access, and that gives you access to alcohol."
In practice - not sure about this. I've seen plenty of people having way too many Woodfords in the SkyClub. Hell, I've done it myself.
My guess is that these won’t be true mimosas that are half/half but more like 90% oj and 10% champagne furthermore the average passenger who doesn’t have lounge access is not going to come to the airport early enough to really take advantage of this. Most are coming with enough time to drop their bags off and board their plane. This will more than
Likely be a non issue
Most pax arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before their flights following the dictates of the airlines. They then mill around... A small minority of us who just arrive with time only to board the craft
How many glasses (of willing to bet mostly OJ) would you have to have to equal one glass of just champagne? I bet you have to have five or more to equal one glass of champagne. Stomachs (and bladders) will be full long before most people are tipsy.
PS many are trying to get their “moneys worth” at the lounges
Agreed. Even if it's 3 mimosas to one champagne flute, you'd need at least 9 to get the equivalent of 3 (I'm assuming pretty poor quality) champagnes. You could absolutely get smashed quicker in a lounge w/ hard liquor.
Don't airlines have the right to deny boarding to people who have been overserved?
Problem solved!
Pro Tip: Use a straw to suck out just the orange juice and dump it into another glass. Boom—pure Champagne. I apply the same strategy to rice at all-you-can-eat sushi buffets. Efficiency is key.
This post reeks of entitlement and classism. For someone who oftentimes has access to unlimited drinks from the time they enter an airport to the time they leave their destination airport, seems super odd to have an issue with a business offering what amounts to likely less than 2 drinks in what it would otherwise cost for 2 hours of mimosas.
??????? lol wtf
Perfect, people who want to numb their feelings and mix alcohol with their anti-depressants and painkillers. And then say outlandish things when they sit next to you on a plane because they have liquid confidence.
Liquid confidence? Like that ;-)
' ditto ' !
I heard it was on sale @ Walmart !
I see more drunken moron at the airport videos coming into my YT feed.
And by the way that business flyer needs to productive when they land. Moreover, as that dumb woman at DFW that had a total drunken meltdown with the video of the cop cam put on YT found out that once your employer sees what happened on a business trip you will be collecting your last paycheck. Maybe just a tiny motivation to control your drinking and behavior when flying.
Of course this would be in Florida.
Can't imagine any other state ( except Texas ? ) where it would first to implement such a proposition !
... lol
"Remember to tip your server if you are paying with Priority Pass."
Is it Krug or Dom?
Not bad, not bad ;-)
Luckily, it's neither nor, since it's about nasty mimosas and not nice and pure bubbly.
Would be nothing for me. Paying all this money and not getting a single glass ...
Nonsense, this is just egalitarianism in action. If the self-important business flyers in the lounge can get absolutely smashed prior to a flight, why can't the economy vacationer?
For one, if a lounge cuts you off because you're starting to appear intoxicated, you're not likely to accuse them of ripping you off. When you pay for unlimited drinks and find out it's not "unlimited", it's likely to get some people very upset.
Or I guess they can let you get smashed and then cause the airline a lot of grief.
I have to second Hank here, I've never been cut off in a lounge or on a flight. Bottomless mimosas can definitely get you schwasted, but if the actual product looks anything like that sign people are going to be sick on OJ before they get tipsy. Far cry from the double Woodford orders in the Skyclub.
I tend to think the 'outrage' from the entitled lounge 'upper caste' of being cut-off would provoke a similar response as those 'untouchables' being denied their mimosas !
I've seen some "businessmen" absolutely smashed at the bar at the Miami Centurion. Being loud and obnoxious, totally hammered. No one cut them off. At least this is low ABV and cut with orange juice and not an endless bottle of bourbon.
Well, it's business drunk. It's like rich drunk.
Either way it's legal to drive.
Yes the poor comman man/woman who can afford 30 dollars with tax and tip for bottomless mimosas. They should be able to get sh*tfaced too!