Tipping etiquette for bartenders varies depending on the situation. Generally, $1 per drink is appropriate, while 15-20% of the total bill is expected at a bar. It’s becoming more common to tip even if the bartender is the owner, and tipping at weddings or events is a sign of good manners. Most bartenders rely on tips for their income.
There is some controversy as to what constitutes an appropriate tip. When people are paying for drinks one at a time, they usually tip the bartender about $1 US Dollar (USD) per drink. Free drinks delivered to a casino tend to require a tip of $1 to $2 USD.
When a person has a bill at a bar, usually a tip is calculated as 15-20% of the total cost before tax. If it’s happy hour, tip should be calculated towards the high end, as drinks are offered at discounted prices. For example, a tip on a “buy one, get one free” offer should reflect the total price of the drinks before the discount. The bartender is still serving two drinks, and it’s unfair to tip him for just one.
There is some confusion about what to do if the bartender is also the owner of a place. It used to be the custom never to tip the owner since he or she has a larger share of the restaurant’s final profits. This custom is now being replaced, in general, by tipping anyone who serves a drink at a bar. It’s often difficult to know whether or not a person is the owner, and of course, a generous tip at a place that a person frequents can result in free drinks down the line.
Sometimes, an owner refuses a tip or may give employees cash as part of their nightly catch. For the sake of etiquette, unless a customer knows the owner won’t accept a tip, it’s always appropriate to offer one.
When a person attends a wedding with a bartender, even if the drinks are free, the standard bar tip is still $1 USD per drink. Some feel that this breaks etiquette by requiring an invited guest to tip the bartender. In fact, a tip from the guest is not required, but neither is ordering a complex drink. Tipping at a wedding or similar celebration is simply a sign of good manners.
Most bartenders make the majority of their income from tips, and this is no less true at a wedding or special event. While the bartender is likely to be paid slightly more than minimum wage, it’s still a nice gesture to acknowledge the job in question and tip decently accordingly.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
