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Tipping and Drink Tickets

If paid in drink tickets for a performance, is tipping expected?

  • Yes, barstaff always deserves a tip for service.

    Votes: 36 52.2%

  • No, I'm not giving 20% of my "pay" back to the venue.

    Votes: 19 27.5%

  • Maybe/Depends/None of the Above (please post)

    Votes: 14 20.3%
  • Total voters
    69
#5
RWP said:
I would. The bartender is doing his/her job and it doesn't matter how you are paying.
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That'd be fair if the bartenders were similarly paid in a specific currency that was non-transferable and was redeemable only by service providers who also expected tips.

If my only compensation by the establishment is drinks, why should I be forced to pay money out of pocket to enjoy them?
 
#6
I spent several years in the "service" industry and I would tip.
It's like this, you could be someone who made their drink money driving a taxi, you would and should tip for your drinks.
You working by playing music for your drinks should not be any different.
 
#7
Unrepresented said:
That'd be fair if the bartenders were similarly paid in a specific currency that was non-transferable and was redeemable only by service providers who also expected tips.

If my only compensation by the establishment is drinks, why should I be forced to pay money out of pocket to enjoy them?
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I see your point but the bartenders may not. :D
 
#8
lowender56 said:
I spent several years in the "service" industry and I would tip.
It's like this, you could be someone who made their drink money driving a taxi, you would and should tip for your drinks.
You working by playing music for your drinks should not be any different.
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But the taxi driver in question is paid in cash. He chooses to spend his pay at the bar where I'm playing.

I'm playing the bar and only compensated in drinks. If I was getting paid cash, I'd have no question about whether or not to tip, just as the taxi driver would, because I'd have my choice about where I could redeem my pay. Either at the venue I'm playing, or the bar across the street.
 
#10
Unrepresented said:
b) They should be appreciative of the hard work we've done to bring/keep business in their establishment.
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This IS a good argument. Frankly being paid in drink tickets really isn't what you are worth anyway, so I can see your point.
I would like to hear the point of view from a bartender. Maybe they feel exactly as you do.
 
#11
RWP said:
This IS a good argument.
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I'm filled with unpopular ideas that have reasonable arguments behind them.
RWP said:
Frankly being paid in drink tickets really isn't what you are worth anyway, so I can see your point.
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Don't jump to too big a conclusion until you've heard us.:D
RWP said:
I would like to hear the point of view from a bartender. Maybe they feel exactly as you do.
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Bartenders like to get paid. They're probably not "bartending for exposure." Their answers don't count.:ninja:
 
#13
Unrepresented said:
That'd be fair if the bartenders were similarly paid in a specific currency that was non-transferable and was redeemable only by service providers who also expected tips.

If my only compensation by the establishment is drinks, why should I be forced to pay money out of pocket to enjoy them?
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You are not "forced" to tip, just like the bartender isn't "forced" to get your drink in any sort of timetable. Your peragative, but don't complain about waiting a half hour at the bar waiting for your next beer while the guy sitting next to you has had 3.
 
#15
HomeBrewTJ said:
...then you're playing the wrong establishments.
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Agreed. I'd far prefer to be compensated handsomely for my time at venues with great PA's and receptive, built-in crowds, but realistically as an originals act with limited connections the available establishments are limited, even moreso if we refuse to pay to play by prepuchasing tickets.

This isn't a discussion about whether musicians should be paid more, it's an issue about whether I'm cheap and justified or just cheap.

When I'm a customer at one of these venues (such as last night) I tip, and I tip fairly well. When I'm a coworker of sorts, I don't feel compelled.
 
#16
Unrepresented said:
Question is fairly straightforward:

You're getting paid strictly in drink tickets for playing originals at the local bar.

Do you tip?
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Yes...if the service was good. If the waitstaff treats me like a PITA, and acts like they're doing me a favor by serving me, then I do *not* tip them. If they treat me just as well as any nicely-behaved paying customer, then they get a tip.

Cherie
 
#17
We get free drinks + cash at the bar we frequently play at and I always tip the bartender well. It creates a bond and in return, she always makes passes through the bar with a tip bucket, we usually get $75-$100 per night in tips. If you scratch their backs, they will scratch yours.
 
#18
jady said:
We get free drinks + cash at the bar we frequently play at and I always tip the bartender well. It creates a bond and in return, she always makes passes through the bar with a tip bucket, we usually get $75-$100 per night in tips. If you scratch their backs, they will scratch yours.
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good answer. if its a place you play alot, make sure the barkeep knows you appreciate them.
 

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