A cover charge is an entrance fee sometimes charged at bars, nightclubs, or restaurants. It is a fixed amount added to the bill at a nightclub or restaurant. Bars and clubs use cover charges for several reasons. In some cases, popular bars and clubs have a substantial excess demand, and patrons are lined up outside the club waiting to get in. In this case, the club can gain additional revenue from customers by requiring an entrance charge. Other bars and clubs use cover charges only on nights when there is live entertainment or a DJ, to cover the costs of hiring the performers.

Some bars have different cover charges for legal drinking-age customers and for minors who may not purchase or drink alcohol. Some bars have lower cover charges for some categories, such as college or university students with student identification, and some have lower cover charges for members of the club or of nightclub organizations or associations. Cover charge is waived at some clubs for early arrivals (before 11 p.m. or midnight), for people who order food, or, if the club is in a hotel, for hotel guests. Some bars customarily or occasionally waive the cover charge for women in hopes that doing so will increase their number of female customers and thereby attract male customers as well.