Tipping the Bartender (drink)

[ChargerMatt]

How much do you tip? Normally I tip somewhere in between 20-30%, have tipped 50%, and have tipped a penny before (once).

So how about you?


I have a feeling someone is going to attack the tipping a penny, so I'll defend it now. I walked into a bar I've been to quite a few times. It was a busy night and I ordered 4 strawberry stoli bombs. When we drank them my buddy (who doesn't drink much) asks if there is alcohol in the drink. We all felt the same way, but it was coming from someone who doesn't drink.

$24 for 4 shots and I got 4 shots of red bull.

I tipped a penny and wrote a note explaining on the back of the receipt.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by ChargerMatt

How much do you tip? Normally I tip somewhere in between 20-30%, have tipped 50%, and have tipped a penny before (once).

Former bartender here... I imagine the bartenders must love, love, love to see you coming, because 15-20% is normal in the US, while 10% is more common in Europe, and any tip at all is considered rude in Japan. Sorry to say, but you don't get any respect from bartenders by overtipping. They'll smile to your face, yeah, and take your big tip, and then talk about you behind your back. Not kidding.

Originally Posted by ChargerMatt

$24 for 4 shots and I got 4 shots of red bull.
I tipped a penny and wrote a note explaining on the back of the receipt.

I never understand posts like this. If I got a drink that was missing the alcohol I would send it back to the bartender and ask for a remake. If that didn't produce the result I wanted I'd ask for the manager. Politely. Whatever the mistake was, tipping a penny without making your complaint known in a timely fashion did not give the establishment a chance to correct it, and did not get you any value for the money you spent.

[WinterStar]

Bartender here...tip 20%. Never tip a penny unless you want ******* written across your forehead...leave nothing instead.

[altlover85]

I thought it was $1 a drink, if not $2, if you thought the drink was good.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by altlover85

I thought it was $1 a drink, if not $2, if you thought the drink was good.

I pretty much think as you: normally about a $1 a drink or $5 for a round of drinks, something like that..

[Oildog]

Depends. I usually tip around 20% at places I am familiar with. Other spots where Im notknown I tip 20% unless the service is slow then I tip 10%.

[Pfhtex]

If you are cash-and -carry, a buck a drink. Otherwise 20%. I tipped $20 on a $50 tab the other night because the bartenders took their time and kicked my ass with service, making me 2 Old Fashoineds, a George Burns, and something called a Sympathy For The Devil. And a Session Lager. And I walked home.

[JLB001]

20%

[sophialee]

20-30%

[ChargerMatt]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Former bartender here... I imagine the bartenders must love, love, love to see you coming, because 15-20% is normal in the US, while 10% is more common in Europe, and any tip at all is considered rude in Japan. Sorry to say, but you don't get any respect from bartenders by overtipping. They'll smile to your face, yeah, and take your big tip, and then talk about you behind your back. Not kidding.

I disagree. While I may not get "respect" for it, the next time I come back if I go to the same waitress she is always overpouring... and I love a strong drink.

Originally Posted by OpenD

I never understand posts like this. If I got a drink that was missing the alcohol I would send it back to the bartender and ask for a remake. If that didn't produce the result I wanted I'd ask for the manager. Politely. Whatever the mistake was, tipping a penny without making your complaint known in a timely fashion did not give the establishment a chance to correct it, and did not get you any value for the money you spent.

It was a bomb.

Chug and done. There's no sipping involved. Therefore I had nothing to show the manager. But I do see your logic about not getting any value for the money I spent... excellent point.