How much should a bartender be tipped after we order a drink? If multiple drinks, can we tip at the end?

Answer 1

[in america] I work as a waitress/bartender so I'd say for drinks, the easiest way to do it would be to tip $1 a drink. But it depends...did your bartender show you good service, talk to you and make your drink(s) right? If so than leave an extra buck or few.
If you order just 2 drinks for say you and a partner, than I'd expect like 2-5 bucks. Your tab is only going to be like $6-15.
If you plan on drinking more than one than tell them you'd like to start a tab under your name. That way you only get one bill. And when that comes around, if you can't remember how many drinks it was, just do the general %15-25%... If you already paid and want another drink, just ask (but I warn you, if you already paid for a drink and gave a crap tip(like a quarter) or none at all, don't expect your drink to be strong, or to get good service-sorry)
It also depends on what drinks you ordered. For instance beer is usually cheaper and the bartenders don't have to do much work. On the other hand, if you ordered something that takes longer to make(margarita, martini, etc.) than maybe throw in a lil extra--especially if they made you a special request drink.
Some people say tipping is optional and in one twisted way it is b/c it's your money. But at the same time, if it was optional, do you really think you'd get that great service anyway. I know if I didn't rely mostly on my tips and just got a certain amount an hour, than I wouldn't really care too much. I mean we always have to be in a good mood and smile, and go by the rule"customer's always right", we do this because it's a way of showing our appreciation for you tipping, only ahead of time!
Anyway I hoped this helped. And the bottom line is yes, you should tip your bartender, b/c most of the time they depend on their tips too, so they'd appreciate it. Also, if you were to ever go back to that place and you tipped well, you'd be taken care of-if ya know what I mean... Thanks :-D

Answer 2

Any bartender will be happy with a higher tip. Running a tab and tipping at the end is sufficient. FYI... if this is a place you plan to frequent in the future and you would like to receive the best service again tip accordingly. If it's not acceptional service.. Don't tip so high. I think an 'expected' tip has gotten out of control in some places and some staff doesn't see the need to actually perform as they should - but they still expect to get the cash. 15% is a good rule of thumb for average service. If someone has gone above and beyond the minimum there is no reason you can't tip more.

As far as per drink - a dollar is nice on a drink. If you have a large party a couple bucks or more is nice (again - $50 round might be nice to stick to the 15% unwritten rule).

It's really up to the customer. I know, as a customer, I'd appreciate it if people would stop over tipping for bad service.


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Edit: For the person that said it depends on how much money you have...

If you don't have the money to tip, you should stay home. Bartenders and wait staff generally work for minimum wage or less. Their livelihood is based on their ability to perform their service and its outcome (your appreciation in the form of a tip). No money? Buy a six pack and stay home.

Answer 3

It all depends on how the service is. "TIPS" (to insure proper service) I have been a Bartender for 13 years. Sometimes I get a tip after every drink and others I get tipped when they leave. It all depends on the service you recieve. If I was having multiple drinks, I myself tip $5 when I leave. If I only have 1 or 2 drinks then I would tip $1 or $2. Again, depending on the service. If you think they are worth tipping more then great. There's nothing wrong with tipping when you leave. I think it''s better.

Answer 4

Tip at the end if running a tab. Tip a buck a round unless you are ordering multiple drinks then $2 to $5 is good
tip every round and remember the service angle,your bartender should be pleasant and happy to serve you, if not it is very reasonable to stiff him/her or low ball the tip.Not tipping on your first round will create a bad atmosphere and may slow down your service.I always tip 5 to 10 bucks on the first round if I am planning to stay in that bar a while. (watch out for shift change) with or without a tab.

Answer 5

$1 a drink. If the bar does tabs, then ask to run one, than it is ok to tip at the end. Not going to get great service if you are paying for your drinks as you go, but not tipping as you go. The bartender doesn't know that you are planning on tipping at the end. I personally serve people I know tip me before I serve people that I know do not. Nobody enjoys working for free. A lot of people don't understand that I am working for you. If your boss didn't give you your paycheck, i'm sure you would be a little upset- same idea.

Answer 6

I usually tip $1 if im ordering the drinks individually, and when I'm running a tab, I tip about 20% or more...I'm a Bartender so I know what its like to work for tips, So I usually tip more than usual. And I usually run tabs.

Answer 7

Well, really depends on what kind of environment you are in and how much money you have.

:)

Generally a 10-15% additional tip on top of whatever charges already imposed would be reasonable.

In a bar, applying similar rule would be smart.

But when you are ordering more than once, i think its ok to give a bigger tip(more than the above rule - prob 20-30%) when ordering your first drink. Then go back to the same bartender when ordering for the following rounds. So, at the 2nd round you could tip 10%. And after that prob not tip necessary anymore. Unless the bartender is especially nice and you can give another tip at the end.

Btw, i come from a culture where tipping is not common practice. So the above are based on personal practice, not cultural standard.

Answer 8

As a bartender myself I always tip after each drink and the amount I tip depends on the service. But keep in mind that the more you tip the more "freebies" you will get, free drinks and shots etc... Also, offer to buy the bartender a drink, that can get you a free drink/shot.

Answer 9

The ettiquette according to me is...I usually tip a $1 a drink. If I'm running a tab, I'll tip 15-20%. If ordering multiple drinks cash, I tip per order, not at the end, after running some mental tally of consumption.

Answer 10

Well that depends on how good the service was. Tipping is at your discretion. In the hotel bar where I work, I find after a round of drinks has been ordered, the customer will often say "and have one for yourself", the equivalent of tipping.