How to Tip the Bartender

In the service industry, tipping can be a starting place for heated controversy. For those who have been on a first date and witnessed a bad tipper, there are usually no second dates. Those who work in the service industry, be it bartender, cocktail waitress or anyone who makes a living on tips, there is an unspoken rule that one will always tip others well.

The Tipping Rules for Bartenders and Other Servers
The rules for tipping any server is not rocket science by any stretch of the imagination. However, it is a very subjective decision for most people. That being said, it can be tough for someone not in the know if they are tipping correctly.

The Tipping Rules of Acceptable, Good and Great
The first thing you need to understand about tipping your bartender or any other server is that there is a difference between acceptable, good and great tipping. Most bartenders will tell you that tipping a dollar per drink is acceptable. If you are buying a round for the table, then tipping 20 percent should be the acceptable rule. A good tip for the bartender or server is to round up and add a few dollars. One method is to take the first number on the total and double it, and then add a couple of dollars. Therefore, it the tab is $40, make sure that tip is at least $8 and then add a couple of dollars.

Watch Your Bartender Closely When Tipping
A good bartender will let you know if you are tipping well. You can gauge his reaction and know if you have left enough tip. A half hearted tip, say some loose change left for the bartender will probably get the patron a half hearted 'thank you' for their effort. However, a generous tip will get a sincere 'thank you' and a true appreciation from your bartender. That appreciation could turn out to be advantageous for the patron as well. Some bartenders will remember a good tipper and gift them with a stronger drink and preferential treatment. The key to this is to make sure that your bartender knows that you are a good tipper early on. Be subtle and don't shout across the room that your a good tipper. Make that first drink tip a good one and subsequent drinks just might be much better than you expected.