What do you tip a normal bartender?

Question

Just wondering because im not sure if it is per drink or every other drink or just on mixed drinks?

Answer 1

Working in and being friends with plenty of bartenders, I can tell you that it kind of depends on how you're paying for your drinks and how well you know the bartender.

If you are running a tab, a one-time tip is fine.  If you are paying as you go, it's good to tip maybe $0.50 - $1.00 per drink, depending on how good their service is.

If you are a regular at a bar, you may become comfortable enough with your usual bartender to tip a few bucks here and there, but not every time.

Lastly, let me just say that if you ever accidentally walk out on a tab, you should definitely return the next day and not only pay your tab, but tip the bartender WELL, because they are the ones who have to pay for your drinks at the end of the night.  Not suggesting you would, just saying that I've done this before.  I once forgot to pay my tab and realized it the next morning.   I dropped by and gave them money for the $40 tab, plus a $20 tip for the inconvenience I might have caused the bartender.  I got a few drinks on the house from that bartender the next time I was in because they were touched by my gesture.

Answer 2

Always tip in accordance with there attitude, the peppier the better. Any good bartender will be more then friendly, because there main source of income is tips.

I usually just leave a tab open by leaving a credit card with the bartender and depending on how good the service was tells me how much to tip. I have tipped five to two-hundred depending on the service.

Just for y'all thinking that two-hundred was a little excessive, it was at a work party, the bartender was excellent and the tab was over a grand. In the ends she was worth it.

Answer 3

Well it usually depends on the how attentive they are towards you. I usually tip them a 5......depends on how really drunk i get...........so i couldnt really tell you.,.........

Answer 4

it is customary to tip a quarter per drink

Answer 5

What kind of service do you want from the bartender?

Having been a bartender for a number of years I can say that tipping well will *always* be noticed... as will those who don't tip enough or at all.

Answer 6

$1 per average drink. If they make you a good (strong) drink, I take that tip up to $5. And if you tip well once, you will get better bartender service and stronger drinks to follow. You get what you pay for. Cheers!

Answer 7

I prefer the abnormal bartenders.

If it's a crowded place and people are 3-deep at the bar, tip him five bucks and he'll remember you the next time you want a drink. Tip two bucks per drink after that.

For beer, give him the change.

Answer 8

Always give a dollar on the first drink and see if they make them strong enough for you, if not a dollar every other drink is common.  

Do not tip a quarter as one of the other answers suggests you will look extremely cheep.

Answer 9

wow, a quarter per drink?

Don't listen to that guy.

Bartenders, just like servers, pay taxes based on their sales, so when you don't tip (or don't tip enough), they're paying for the pleasure of serving you.

Keep in mind that even if you only order beer, that bartender is usually responsible for leaning and maintaining those lines, changing the kegs when they run out (which is NOT easy, especially for girls, and always takes place in a literally freezing cold room), washing the glass that beer is served in, if not personally paying a barback to do it for them, and then, as previously mentioned, paying taxes on the sale of that beer.

Mixed drinks obviously take a little more work (a jack and coke considerably less than a mojito), but you should tip a bartender AT LEAST a buck a drink (IF the drinks are normally priced... nightclubs and fine dining restaurants tend to be higher priced), and if you run a tab, where they have to remember your name and personally take care of your credit card, you should always tip more. Ordering food or drinks for your whole party at once (YOU try remembering and making 6 drinks at once, and keeping track of what they'll all cost together AND putting them on the right tab), again... more. Talk their ear off when they're busy and vent to them about all your problems? Keep tipping.

One of a bartender's greatest tools is his or her memory. They'll remember you and how you tip next time you're at the bar or next time you come in.

Answer 10

well, if you have found a 'normal' bartender, hurrah for you! What normal is on anything I am not sure. If you are a regular in a bar, I would think you could tip them at the end of your night and depending on what you got is what you give. Most bartenders get better tips when the clients are drunk, so you need to be aware of what you are doing. If you go to a different bars, I think I would tip by determining the service of the bartender. It kinda matters if they remember what you are drinking, you know, like which beer, and what type of drink and the particulars you like in that drink. Hey, tipping is just simply a nice gesture that we do to show we appreciate someones service. Do what works for you and that is probably the best thing.