Tipping the Bartender: How Much?

Most of us visit a bar as a way of relaxing. It's easy to forget about the skills that the bartender has learned to provide you with your order. Whether it's taking a cap off a bottle of beer or mixing a designer drink, the bartender has been trained to do their job effectively and efficiently. Your bartender deserves to be compensated fairly.

Many of us do not know the guidelines for tipping a bartender. As a rule of thumb, they should receive 15-20% of the drink price. You may not understand why you have to pay one dollar for them to take the cap off a bottle of beer. Let's look at the bigger picture. Most bartenders receive a minimal hourly wage; they rely on tips to make their living. They may have to share their tips with other staff. If you are at a restaurant where you have been at the bar for a while before going to your table, close the tab at the bar and tip the bartender accordingly. It is also recommended to be consistent with your tipping, do not leave a large tip with the first drink and lower tips later. If you order discounted drinks, tip at the rate of the usual drink price.

Why do bartenders deserve tips? They often get whistled at or fingers snapped to get their attention - they are not dogs. They may have multiple people waiting for their attention while you stop to answer your cell phone right when it's time for you to place your order. They are expected to remember your "usual." They clean up our messes. Let's not forget the endless "woe is me" stories.

There is no replacement for good manners. Show your bartender that you appreciate their hard work.