How Did Hotel Minibars Become A Thing? - Tasting Table

"You don't know true fear until you've accidentally shifted items on a hotel minibar shelf and heard your travel buddy panic that you're about to be charged $18 for a tiny bottle of Tito's vodka, even if it is one of the most popular vodka brands to stock in your home bar. The dreaded minibar has been both a blessing and a curse to the tired traveler, providing a quick fix when needed but often charging an astronomical amount for otherwise inexpensive items."

"Minibars were invented by a German company named Siegas in the 1960s, though they didn't pick up in popularity until the mid-1970s. The Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C., was the first to put minibars in hotel rooms in 1963, but the manager of a Hong Kong-based Hilton hotel put minibars in all 840 of his hotel rooms and fully stocked the tiny fridges with liquor (the Hilton also has some of the absolute best free hotel breakfasts ever)."

Minibars were invented by German company Siegas in the 1960s and gained widespread popularity in the mid-1970s. The Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C., installed the first in-room minibar in 1963, and a Hong Kong Hilton manager later stocked minibars in all 840 rooms, prompting rapid adoption by hotel chains. Minibars were intended to mimic in-flight cocktail service and generated significant revenue, with Hilton reporting a 500% increase in alcohol sales after introduction. The concept later lost favor as guests balked at high prices, staff faced replenishment and inventory checks, and technological changes altered labor needs.

Read at Tasting Table