Mini-bar

A mini-bar is a small, private snack and beverage bar often found in upscale Western-style hotel rooms.

Overview

Typically, a mini-bar comes in the form of a counter and small refrigerator stocked with a precise inventory. The room's guests can take a beverage or snack at any time during their stay. The bar is commonly stocked with small bottles of alcoholic beverages, juice, and soft drinks as well as candy, cookies, crackers, and other snacks. Prices are generally very high compared to similar items purchased from a store, because the guest is paying for the convenience of the items and upkeep of the bar. Prices vary, but it is not uncommon for one can non-alcoholic beverage to cost between $4–$10. Many hotels have progressed further to offer non-food items, such as socks, toiletries and condoms. Some even use infrared or other high-tech methods of automatically recording purchases.