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tipping bartenders
- Thread starter nathan
- Start date
jive1
Commercial User
If it's a small bar with 1-2 bartenders, it works well. But if it's a larger bar, then you might have to repeat that with each bartender to get the same service. Unless you're a regular that the staff recognizes.
In general, that's the rule I go by. I give a $5-10 tip on the first drink, and then a buck or so on every one after that.
One exception is when I'm spending alot of quality time at one of the regular hang-outs with friends. We usually start up a tab, and then put a big tip in at the end. If the bartender is finishing up their shift, and we're still hanging out, we make sure the bartender closes our tab before they leave so we can give him/her the tip they deserve. Then, we will start another tab. The bar staff know this about us, and take good care of us because we take good care of them.
That, right there, is the most critical point of all of it. Reward good service, and you will be serviced well.
I'm already paying anywhere from $4 to $6 a pint... so I run a tab and tip at the end. No way I'm dropping $7 for a pint of beer.
Usually a buck per order. If I'm flush with cash (as I often am- cuz I roll like that) a buck a drink.
I feel it out, usually I tip a buck to every $5 I spend...If its a place where I'm well know/ I open a tab, I'll tip em real well at the end of the night depending on how many comps I get.
Also if I had the bartender a 20 for 2 beers and I get two bucks in change after waiting 15 minutes to get my brews you can bet I'm drinking my beer and leaving whatever over priced meat market I stumbled into.
Also if I had the bartender a 20 for 2 beers and I get two bucks in change after waiting 15 minutes to get my brews you can bet I'm drinking my beer and leaving whatever over priced meat market I stumbled into.
I was a regular at a place after graduation. I was the only patron served pitchers and they were priced like a pint. I never had to wait. My drink was normally waiting by the time I got to my chair (when you get there at 4:30 in the afternoon, you get the same chair everyday) and refilled without asking. That kinda service isn't because of my winning smile or personality.
Tip your bartender well, people. Not only does their job suck, it'll probably pay off on your end, too. The relationship one shares with their bartender(s) can often be deeper and more rewarding than the other farces of human connection you put more effort into.
Mike
EDIT: If there is a shift change, close out your tab and tip the guy/girl that's been servicing you. Reopen with the new bartender.
Tip your bartender well, people. Not only does their job suck, it'll probably pay off on your end, too. The relationship one shares with their bartender(s) can often be deeper and more rewarding than the other farces of human connection you put more effort into.
Mike
EDIT: If there is a shift change, close out your tab and tip the guy/girl that's been servicing you. Reopen with the new bartender.
Depends where you go. If I go to a watering hole where the staff knows me (these are getting fewer and fewer, thankfully for my liver), I'll just give a big tip at the end of the night. The staff usually knows that and they appreciate it since the drunker I get the more money I'll give them. I also get comps, so I'll usually leave a 20 dollar bill at the end of the night.
Unfamiliar clubs and bars, a buck a drink, maybe less if the service sucks*. There, I've said it. I have worked for tips and it's way easier to make a living out of waiting up here than in the US since the wages are higher, so the tips aren't a "given" for me. I can think of a particular place where I was ignored for 15 minutes while the bar was empty (l'Ozone Sainte-Foy) and the %$?*& was rude to my date. That guy got no tip from me.
* This has happened maybe half a dozen times in the last 8 years.
Unfamiliar clubs and bars, a buck a drink, maybe less if the service sucks*. There, I've said it. I have worked for tips and it's way easier to make a living out of waiting up here than in the US since the wages are higher, so the tips aren't a "given" for me. I can think of a particular place where I was ignored for 15 minutes while the bar was empty (l'Ozone Sainte-Foy) and the %$?*& was rude to my date. That guy got no tip from me.
* This has happened maybe half a dozen times in the last 8 years.
I tip right from the start. Men get at least $1, women at least $2. If the dude likes the Steelers, Gators, or Pens....$3 or more.
-Mike
-Mike
Yeah, generally $1 per drink. If I order a pitcher I'll leave $2. If my change is less than $5 for a particular order I leave that. If the bartender is a cute chick I tip better. At the bar I used to frequent I once tipped the bartender by letting her keep my beanie, occasionally I'd buy her a shot to take with me. One time I was there and an ex-military dude decided I was his new drinking buddy. The bartender got him to buy me all my drinks that night. The last time I went in there the bartender kept telling my girlfriend (we had literally just started dating) how hot she was and that if she was me she'd be going out with a girl just like her. Yeah, she got a good tip that night.
I pay $4 for a pint of ale or lager, $5 for a pint of stout at my local brewery/bar.
It's $6 or $7 per mixed drink. My Gin & Sprites usually are $6, depending on the bartender, I'll get 'em for $4. This is the result of good tipping.
The same bartender lets the DD have all the juice or soda he wants for free, and in turn gets some good tips from all of us. That's just common sense to me. Be nice to them, and they're great to you.
Unrepresented
Something Borderline Offensive
Yeah, it didn't stop me either, but I thought I'd throw it out there for the sake of discussion.
I think it's ridiculous how much you have to tip here, especially in a busy pub or club. I mean, I dunno about drink prices in the US so much, but here i'm still paying $5-8 a drink (lets say average) then expected to tip a buck or more on top. I was paying that back home and you never tip.
My girlfriend even works as a server at a pub and I think it's stupid. She makes 1-2 hundred for a nights work on top of her wage average, a busy night more. I mean, I know they don't get paid top dollar, but adding that on they get well over average.
If you're tipping someone $1 a drink at least at a busy venue and they're serving someone every few minutes, it adds up quickly.
I'm all for tipping someone a bit extra on a quiet night at the pub if they've been looking after you etc, but I hate how i'm made to feel like a prick when some guys cash cowing off me, ha.
PS. I also find it funny the amount of desperate guys who tip girls waaayy more in a lame attempt at getting laid. The amount of times my girl gets guys thinking they'll 'tap that' by giving her more money is stupid, the best part is if she plays up all nice and friendly moreso than usual they'll give some really stupid amounts of money. You're all getting played and ripped off guys
My girlfriend even works as a server at a pub and I think it's stupid. She makes 1-2 hundred for a nights work on top of her wage average, a busy night more. I mean, I know they don't get paid top dollar, but adding that on they get well over average.
If you're tipping someone $1 a drink at least at a busy venue and they're serving someone every few minutes, it adds up quickly.
I'm all for tipping someone a bit extra on a quiet night at the pub if they've been looking after you etc, but I hate how i'm made to feel like a prick when some guys cash cowing off me, ha.
PS. I also find it funny the amount of desperate guys who tip girls waaayy more in a lame attempt at getting laid. The amount of times my girl gets guys thinking they'll 'tap that' by giving her more money is stupid, the best part is if she plays up all nice and friendly moreso than usual they'll give some really stupid amounts of money. You're all getting played and ripped off guys
beer - usually dollar and change if they give back change, if bartender is cool, 2 dollars. (per drink that is...)
Mix drinks - 2 dollars, if bartender is cool, $3.
Water - 1 dollar... always
Few times i showed up to a bar and went up to get a drink... When ordered i found myself only having enough for a drink and no tips as i haven't gotten to ATM yet. I usually promise to tip for this drink next time i get a drink. Well next time i usually tip 2x for the first (so if i would have tipped $2 for the drink and $2 for next drink I'll leave $8-10 for inconvenience.) Few bartenders after that would take the 2nd drink they gave me and add more alcohol to it or completely remix it while saying "sorry man, i thought you where just a *jerk* who doesn't tip."
*They don't say jerk, they use other words.
Mix drinks - 2 dollars, if bartender is cool, $3.
Water - 1 dollar... always
Few times i showed up to a bar and went up to get a drink... When ordered i found myself only having enough for a drink and no tips as i haven't gotten to ATM yet. I usually promise to tip for this drink next time i get a drink. Well next time i usually tip 2x for the first (so if i would have tipped $2 for the drink and $2 for next drink I'll leave $8-10 for inconvenience.) Few bartenders after that would take the 2nd drink they gave me and add more alcohol to it or completely remix it while saying "sorry man, i thought you where just a *jerk* who doesn't tip."
*They don't say jerk, they use other words.
I think it's ridiculous how much you have to tip here, especially in a busy pub or club. I mean, I dunno about drink prices in the US so much, but here i'm still paying $5-8 a drink (lets say average) then expected to tip a buck or more on top. I was paying that back home and you never tip.
My girlfriend even works as a server at a pub and I think it's stupid. She makes 1-2 hundred for a nights work on top of her wage average, a busy night more. I mean, I know they don't get paid top dollar, but adding that on they get well over average.
If you're tipping someone $1 a drink at least at a busy venue and they're serving someone every few minutes, it adds up quickly.
I'm all for tipping someone a bit extra on a quiet night at the pub if they've been looking after you etc, but I hate how i'm made to feel like a prick when some guys cash cowing off me, ha.
PS. I also find it funny the amount of desperate guys who tip girls waaayy more in a lame attempt at getting laid. The amount of times my girl gets guys thinking they'll 'tap that' by giving her more money is stupid, the best part is if she plays up all nice and friendly moreso than usual they'll give some really stupid amounts of money. You're all getting played and ripped off guys
Bartenders also have to deal with drunks and on occasion, talk to them. I think they deserve their pay and tips.
Oh i definitely think they deserve better than minimum wage, but when i'm already being pocket raped over drink prices, I think it should be management who's giving them an extra few bucks an hour.
10 bucks a drink (mixed) is just stupid to me. Back home it was 2 jager bombs for $15 and no tip needed, and take into account currency difference!
I'm going poor here going out for a drink, and considering alcohol is actually cheaper off the shelf it makes no sense
10 bucks a drink (mixed) is just stupid to me. Back home it was 2 jager bombs for $15 and no tip needed, and take into account currency difference!
I'm going poor here going out for a drink, and considering alcohol is actually cheaper off the shelf it makes no sense
- Dec 23, 2008
- 157
- 0
- Disclosures
- Staff Producer / Audio Engineer: Blue Tower Studio, Denver, CO & Mighty Fine Productions, Denver, CO
the bartenders and servers of the world deserve every penny they make (really, a lot more) for dealing with the likes of.. well, the folks they have to deal with day in and day out.
i have had a couple ridiculous experiences on gigs. usually, the staff realizes that the band is there working, just like them, and will give up some pretty prompt and friendly service knowing that we only get a short break. this one bartender with a fake french name at an upscale place explained to me plainly and clearly that since i'm not paying for drinks, i am his absolute last priority when he has a full bar, and i sat there on my whole break trying to get a drink, unsuccessfully. not only did he not get tipped, he almost got his punk ass kicked at the end of the night. maybe he could realize that my band was a big part of the reason his bar was so full. douche. never played there again even though they kept calling.
also, if the drink prices are too high, i'll tip like crap. $5 for a plastic cup of yellow beer? "you got change for a buck?" sorry bout your luck, barkeep, go get a job somewhere decent.
i have had a couple ridiculous experiences on gigs. usually, the staff realizes that the band is there working, just like them, and will give up some pretty prompt and friendly service knowing that we only get a short break. this one bartender with a fake french name at an upscale place explained to me plainly and clearly that since i'm not paying for drinks, i am his absolute last priority when he has a full bar, and i sat there on my whole break trying to get a drink, unsuccessfully. not only did he not get tipped, he almost got his punk ass kicked at the end of the night. maybe he could realize that my band was a big part of the reason his bar was so full. douche. never played there again even though they kept calling.
also, if the drink prices are too high, i'll tip like crap. $5 for a plastic cup of yellow beer? "you got change for a buck?" sorry bout your luck, barkeep, go get a job somewhere decent.
Oh i definitely think they deserve better than minimum wage, but when i'm already being pocket raped over drink prices, I think it should be management who's giving them an extra few bucks an hour.
10 bucks a drink (mixed) is just stupid to me. Back home it was 2 jager bombs for $15 and no tip needed, and take into account currency difference!
I'm going poor here going out for a drink, and considering alcohol is actually cheaper off the shelf it makes no sense
$10 a drink? Where the hell are you drinking at? Must be a nice place.
And tipping isn't done where you're from?
I've seen quite a few people at bars I've been to that make me glad I'm not a bartender.
