Michigan server who got $10,000 tip says she was fired in ensuing dispute

Triple retail at restaurants, for alcohol, has been a thing for decades. They always claim that it involves the server delivering it, the barkeep ( or sommelier if they have one) providing it, and the dishwashers having to clean the glassware.

But yes, paying $45 for a bottle of wine that retails for $15 ( bourbon in your case) is nuts, but we do it.

Kinda’ like paying for season tickets for a sports team that delivers a mediocre product.

The markup on alcohol is how most restaurants stay in business/make a profit. The margins on food given the labor cost and overhead is very low. It's why a liquor license is so important for any sit down restaurant with wait staff.