Seattle Women Go To Order $16 Drink At Restaurant. Then They Spot Something Suspicious On The Menu: ‘This Is Against The Law’

It’s getting pretty expensive to go out drinking.

In May 2026, Restaurant Business noted that it’s becoming more common to find cocktails in the $20 to $30 range in major American cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. Even some standard drinks are seeing skyrocketing prices. For example, author Lisa Jennings says that the average price of a martini has increased by 8% in the past year alone.

Seeing these high prices, it’s no surprise that both the bar and the customer may want to find ways to reduce their costs. For the customer, this might mean that you’re the guy ordering a PBR at the upscale cocktail bar. For the bar itself, that well whiskey may end up getting so cheap that your customers will wish they were drinking from an actual well.

But can the source of a bar’s alcohol actually be illegal? That’s what some people are wondering after a peculiar menu item was shared onto TikTok.

Can You Really Serve This Drink?

In a video with over 84,000 views, TikTok user Hana (@me.z.and.fuji) can be seen sitting at a bar. She is in Washington state.

“Okay, babe, have you decided what to drink?” her partner Zada asks.

“I’m going to have the Costco lemonade,” Hana replies.

Hana then shows the menu. There’s a listing for “vodka lemonade” that features “fresh squeezed lemonade”—and Kirkland Signature vodka. This is Costco’s in-house brand.

“Kirkland Vodka made it on the menu at $16 per lemonade,” the TikToker writes in the caption. “I mean don’t get me wrong we buy Kirkland vodka at Costco but this may have been a first to see it on the menu like it.”

“It was a cute little restaurant and the drinks and appetizers were delicious,” the caption continues. “And yes I did order my Kirkland vodka lemonade and I am pretty sure the lemonade was Kirkland brand too.”

Is This Legal?

While Hana may have seen this as just a fun observation, some commenters were quick to claim that she had inadvertently caught the restaurant doing something illegal.

“Kirkland doesn’t distribute so this is against the law,” shared a user.

“Oh no that is very illegal. you have to buy your liquor through a distributor and no one distributes Kirkland,” echoed another. “that restaurant owner is buying their own liquor at Costco and reselling it.”

But is that really true? Is there really a law preventing you from going to Costco, buying some vodka, then selling it at your restaurant?

However, there may be something wrong with selling it at your restaurant. Whether it’s against the law all depends on your state.

Here’s Why You Don’t (Usually) See Costco Vodka On The Menu

To start, there’s nothing inherently wrong with Costco vodka. In fact, Kirkland Signature vodka is widely regarded by experts as a top quality spirit. If you want to drink it in your home or bring it to your next party, more power to you.

But if you’re a restaurateur looking to cut costs, you usually can’t just go to Costco and stock up on budget booze.

In many states, restaurants and bars are required to purchase their alcohol from licensed suppliers. These suppliers usually need a federal wholesaler’s permit before selling to businesses.

However, this is not the case in every state. The TikToker’s video shows the couple sitting at a restaurant in Washington. Washington law states that bars and restaurants can get their alcohol from “a domestic (in-state) Spirits Distributor, Spirits Retailer licensee, Craft Distillery, or Distillery.”

As Costco is a Spirits Retailer, it would seem that whoever runs this restaurant is (maybe) in the clear to use them as a supplier for their restaurant. That said, it appears that there are other rules and taxes that make this relationship a little more complicated than just “You can resell Costco booze to customers, no problem.”

In short, there’s a reason you don’t see Costco alcohol on the menu in restaurants, in Washington or otherwise.

BroBible reached out to Costco via media relations contact form and @me.z.and.fuji via Instagram direct message and comment.