Help.....Tipping out?

Question

I work at a buffet and get to keep all of my tips, but I am starting a new, (2nd), job on Tuesday night and we have to tip out to the bartender. I've never had to do this before and don't mind doing it as long as my drinks are made correctly and quick. The problem is......How much is fair. I was asking around at my other job to waitstaff that had to do it in the past and have gotten several different answers. I've heard.....2%, which doesn't seem fair, 15% of my tips, 10% of my total sales. I asked my new boss and she says it is to my own discresion........so any ideas?

Not sure if it matters but I live in Texas. One person I asked lived in Cali & worked in a casino before and the other lived in New Orleans, and worked in fine dining, not sure if that makes a difference. This is a " little restaurant/pub on the Marina with boat docks.

Answer 1

1% seems low to me..I guess I figure the alcohol is usually what makes my tip higher so I like to go 2% It amazes me how stingy some servers can be when it comes to tipping out but they will be the first ones to cry over a stingy customer..My motto is Tip how you want to be tipped..As a good server I more than make up for that tip out at a table and I figure Karma works both ways..I know this seems unfair too but I'm being honest the best tipping servers always got their drinks faster..

Answer 2

Usually you want to tip $2, or 10% of your alcohol sales...whichever is greater. You want to be especially careful if the tips are not anonymous...the lower your tips, the slower you'll get your drinks. You can always ask the bartender what kind of tips they usually get. Don't ask for specific numbers....but ask them if other servers usually try to tip 10% or 15% or...what?

Answer 3

I use to tip the bar 3% of my alcohol sales.

Answer 4

I am a bartender for a corporate restaurant and have been for 15 years.  The standard should be 1% of your sales.  If the bar has made many drinks for you all shift long it would not kill you to add at least a couple more $$ on top of that.  We work hard for our tips also.  But to answer your question 1% of your sales is FAIR.  So if you sell $500 for your shift, then $5 should be fine.

Answer 5

I have always done 10% of you alcohol sales.

Answer 6

hey...well at my job we tip out 3$ to the bar tender...10% of your sales can be alot way to much!!! espically if your not doing well on tips for the night, i would do 2 or 3$ ask other servers at your job that way you dont seem cheep lol...but you know def leave it to you discresion if they make alot of drinks for you and your made alot of money for the night leave them a little extra. 2-3$ is nothing but 10%of your sales can be alot!