September 21, 2006

  • How to Tip a Bartender

    How to Tip a Bartender Properly

    Tipping
    not only well, but appropriately is a good thing to know how to do, and
    can be difficult. Many people (dates, co-workers, etc.) view how a
    person tips as a judge of character. Knowing when and how to do it will
    ensure good service and allow others to know you're "socially groomed."


    Steps

    1. Assess the crowd. When in a busy bar and waiting for the first round, being patient is key.
    2. Be ready to pay. Once the bartender has asked you for your
      order, have your money out and ready to pay. Don't wait until all of
      the drinks have been made, and the bartender gives you the total of the
      round to begin to take your wallet out. It not only annoys the
      bartender, it annoys others waiting for drinks too.
    3. Recognize that standard practice is to tip $1/Drink, however
      this should change depending on how much work the bartender has put
      into making your drinks. If you are drinking all wine or beer, it's an
      easy round for him/her to make. If you have martinis and especially
      frozen drinks, giving the bartender a $5 tip is a great way to start
      off.
    4. Handle free drinks carefully. Most bartenders expect tips on
      free rounds. When you're at an open bar, it is customary to tip. (If
      you tip a lot at the beginning of the night, you're likely to get
      faster service).
    5. If a bartender is bad or rude, don't tip him/her. However,
      keep in mind he/she may be very busy, so if he is getting you your
      drinks, and doing it quickly regardless of his/her personality you
      should tip. Conversely, if the bartender is rude due to being rushed by
      other customers, this means that they are collecting tips from that
      many more customers. If they choose to provide service to a large
      quantity of people rather than providing quality service to you, you
      may tip accordingly.


    Tips

    • When a bartender remembers your drink without asking, it's worth a better tip!
    • If you get another drink without having to ask, tip him or her!
    • Always ask the bartender their name on the first round,
      explain to them you don't want to use "Barkeep, Bartender, Barmaid YO!,
      HEY YOU!."
    • Nothing goes farther than manners, if you are polite and patient, a person who is rude yet tips will be served after you.
    • When ordering bar specials be sure to remember it takes the
      same amount of work no matter the cost to you. So tip appropriately at
      the full price of the drink.
    • Consider the tip part of the cost of the drink. Servers and bartenders depend on tips to make up most of their salary.
    • Tipping higher at the 1st round will ensure the bartender
      comes back to you quicker the next time you come back, especially at a
      busy bar. Be careful though, if you then come back with a $1 or no tip
      at all the second round, your tip from the 1st round has been
      forgotten.



    Warnings

    • Don't fight with a bartender, the chances of you winning are
      slim to none. The best thing to do is to ask to speak to a manager.
      Losing your cool will get you thrown out or get the police called on
      you. Remember, the cops will always believe a sober bartender over a patron with alcohol in their system.
    • Don't complain about the prices. Chances are, the
      bartender is not the owner and doesn't set the prices. Not to mention
      it makes you look extremely cheap.
    • Bartenders in the US are taxed by the government as if they
      received 12% of the drink's price. If you give them $1 on a $10 dollar
      drink (10%), the government still assumes you gave them $1.20. Tip
      accordingly.