Another tip question (open bar).....

[aceduecetrey]

What do you people tip when provided an open bar? An event such as a wedding?

Personally I have been a bartender and currently own a bar, so I know I over tip very badly. I was at a wedding 2 or so weeks ago in NC and it was beer and wine only (sucked big time for me), but they had no tip bucket set up and I inquired why and they informed me they were not allowed to. Pissed me of pretty good and I made sure they left with a decent amount in their pockets.

 

[raidermattk]

I usually go a buck or two a drink

 

[DNoonan]

a buck a drink, sometimes a bit more or just a 10 at somepoint in the evening if I am going to the same person

 

[fhmesq44]

Beer and wine, usually a buck every couple drinks, liquor, depends how he is pouring. If it is liquor and I am drinking it I will usually throw a $5 in the first drink and make sure he sees it and then $1/drink after that

 

[Doug]

buck a drink has been standard for a long time.

 

[TheFalls]

tipping every drink is preposterous...especially at a wedding. i know i paid the bartenders at my wedding like $350 a piece for a few hours work...

they didn't need one tip to turnout ok.

i'll tip maybe $5 total at an open bar wedding....and i waited tables for a few yrs.

 

[Doug]

If they are getting $350 for the wedding that is different.

How about bartenders at an RX bash ? I think they would only get their casino wage.

 

[KennyB]

When I host a party I don't allow the bartender to leave out a tip jar. I don't believe it is in good taste if I am having a first class party. However, with that said, I always make sure that at the end of the night I always take good care of my bartenders.

When I go to a party and there is no tip jar I am a pretty big drinker and I am pretty demanding so I usually hand the bartender a 10 at some point.

 

[oldirtyku]

What do you people tip when provided an open bar? An event such as a wedding?

Personally I have been a bartender and currently own a bar, so I know I over tip very badly. I was at a wedding 2 or so weeks ago in NC and it was beer and wine only (sucked big time for me), but they had no tip bucket set up and I inquired why and they informed me they were not allowed to. Pissed me of pretty good and I made sure they left with a decent amount in their pockets.

They were not allowed to b/c its probally in the open bar price. When I did my wedding they charged 22% on the tab is split by all the servers/ workers etc.. If you have a 10-20k tab and these guys are making bank.

They do this b/c people don't want there guests tiping at a wedding or party.

 

[Cracker]

If there is liquor, then a generous tip on the first drink equals good drinks the rest of the night. after that maybe $1 every other drink or so.

 

[aceduecetrey]

If there is liquor, then a generous tip on the first drink equals good drinks the rest of the night. after that maybe $1 every other drink or so.

This is key, the first tip should always be the biggest!!! Then sporadically dish out a $5 through the night and you will never wait for a drink and even if they have the "no shots" bullshit rule, you will be doing as many shots as you wish!

 

[FairWarning]

I would tip $2-5 on the first round, and $1 afterwards, unless shots were ordered, Then I get more liberal.