Beef with bartender

[One on One]

All I'm trying to do is have good etiquette and do the right thing. Give me your take on this situation.

I was at a busy club and I got 2 Bud Lights over about 30 minutes from the same bartender and tipped him the standard $1 each time. Shortly later, I got another drink and decided not to tip him. I actually had discussed this with my friend, whether you need to tip on every drink. He said he tipped every other drink usually.

Well, the ******* bartender got pissed. He says, "you gotta tip the bartender! that's messed up, man." That makes me look bad in front of a lot of people. The club was big enough and loud enough that few could probably hear him, but it pissed me off and I left that area.

So, what is the standard etiquette on something like this?

 

[DIESEL]

as a (hopefully ex-) bartender, I can address this:

You both fukked up.

1. You (ideally) tip EVERYTIME you get a drink/beer, especially when it's packed. When you tip well it does this:

a. you get priority over other non-tipping/occassionally tipping customers.

b. you usually will get more liquor in your drink. I usually give my best-tipping customers double shots in their mixed drinks. But my cheap customers will get 3/4 shots but through sleight of hand YOU"LL THINK YOU'RE GETTING A FULL SHOT....it's like the first thing they teach you at bartending school, seriosly...

Therefore...If you consistently do not tip the bartender, the bartender WILL REMEMBER YOU and your drink quality will suffer as a result. Not only that, but I will make you wait twice as long.. and you know what? IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT. IN THE BAR, THE BARTENDER HAS ALL THE POWER. What do you think he makes his living on? Not hourly wage, I'll tell you that.

2. The bartender NEVER BEGS FOR TIPS. That is classless and rude. BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO TIP THE BARTENDER, YOU TIP HIM BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT HE MADE YOU A GOOD DRINK, OR TO INSURE PRIORITY/ SUPER-STRONG DRINKS NEXT TIME YOU COME TO THE BAR.

3. The moral of this story: You take care of the bartender, the bartender WILL DEFINITELY TAKE CARE OF YOU.

 

[ShortyBrown]

Originally posted by DIESEL
as a (hopefully ex-) bartender, I can address this:

You both fukked up.

1. You (ideally) tip EVERYTIME you get a drink/beer, especially when it's packed. When you tip well it does this:

a. you get priority over other non-tipping/occassionally tipping customers.

b. you usually will get more liquor in your drink. I usually give my best-tipping customers double shots in their mixed drinks. But my cheap customers will get 3/4 shots but through sleight of hand YOU"LL THINK YOU'RE GETTING A FULL SHOT....it's like the first thing they teach you at bartending school, seriosly...

Therefore...If you consistently do not tip the bartender, the bartender WILL REMEMBER YOU and your drink quality will suffer as a result. Not only that, but I will make you wait twice as long.. and you know what? IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT. IN THE BAR, THE BARTENDER HAS ALL THE POWER. What do you think he makes his living on? Not hourly wage, I'll tell you that.

2. The bartender NEVER BEGS FOR TIPS. That is classless and rude. BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO TIP THE BARTENDER, YOU TIP HIM BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT HE MADE YOU A GOOD DRINK, OR TO INSURE PRIORITY/ SUPER-STRONG DRINKS NEXT TIME YOU COME TO THE BAR.

3. The moral of this story: You take care of the bartender, the bartender WILL DEFINITELY TAKE CARE OF YOU.

Crap.....I feel for you guys over there. I get $15 per hour during the week base wage and $20 on the weekends (as an average) I work 4 shifts a week and my tips are usually $5 per shift.
I get tips for being nice though, my boss would $hit house bricks if I made extra strong drinks for people just to get more cash ot of them!

 

[Drex]

Wow I could basically ditto DIESEL's entire post there because I'm also a (hopefully ex, soon) bartender. Not that bartending is not a good job (fun, easy, usually good money).

Anyways that bartender was an a$$hole to say that to you. I would never say something like that to a customer BUT you should have probably left something at least. Even a couple quarters for just 1 beer is fine really, though a buck is better and you'll get your drink right away if you tip me a buck each time for 1 beer.

And dave here is an off-topic tip for you. This might sound dumb but dont drink bud-light, coors light etc. in a club/crowded bar because it makes you look like every other Tom, Di ck and Harry in there (EVERY guy is standing around with a bud in their hand). I've actually had women come up and ask me what I am drinking on more than 1 occasion because I'll drink a Molson or a Red Hook etc.

 

[DIESEL]

Originally posted by ShortyBrown
Crap.....I feel for you guys over there. I get $15 per hour during the week base wage and $20 on the weekends (as an average) I work 4 shifts a week and my tips are usually $5 per shift.
I get tips for being nice though, my boss would $hit house bricks if I made extra strong drinks for people just to get more cash ot of them!

it all depends where you work, I guess.

In any club I've ever worked at, it's usually at or close minimum wage plus tips.

Also, although the boss will tell you not to over-pour, it's usually such a free-for-all that if you're a good (fast) bartender YOU WILL NOT GET CAUGHT. And by over-pouring your good customers, and stiffing the cheap ones, it always balances out in the end.

 

[ShortyBrown]

Originally posted by dave134
All I'm trying to do is have good etiquette and do the right thing. Give me your take on this situation.

I was at a busy club and I got 2 Bud Lights over about 30 minutes from the same bartender and tipped him the standard $1 each time. Shortly later, I got another drink and decided not to tip him. I actually had discussed this with my friend, whether you need to tip on every drink. He said he tipped every other drink usually.

Well, the ******* bartender got pissed. He says, "you gotta tip the bartender! that's messed up, man." That makes me look bad in front of a lot of people. The club was big enough and loud enough that few could probably hear him, but it pissed me off and I left that area.

So, what is the standard etiquette on something like this?

I agree that this guy was a turd. Bartenders who expect tips just because are in the wrong job.

 

[Drex]

Originally posted by ShortyBrown
Crap.....I feel for you guys over there. I get $15 per hour during the week base wage and $20 on the weekends (as an average) I work 4 shifts a week and my tips are usually $5 per shift.
I get tips for being nice though, my boss would $hit house bricks if I made extra strong drinks for people just to get more cash ot of them!

Dont feel bad, in a 6 hour shift on certain nights of the week I'll walk home with $200. That's $33 an hour plus the $5.50 wage I make an hour, oh, plus full-time benefits for only working 32 hours a week. And I dont even work at a club.

 

[ShortyBrown]

Originally posted by DIESEL
it all depends where you work, I guess.

In any club I've ever worked at, it's usually at or close minimum wage plus tips.

Also, although the boss will tell you not to over-pour, it's usually such a free-for-all that if you're a good (fast) bartender YOU WILL NOT GET CAUGHT. And by over-pouring your good customers, and stiffing the cheap ones, it always balances out in the end.

I am from Australia....I understand that you guys who work in the hospitality industry have to work your guts out for tips because the basic wage is up the $hit right?

I can't pour fast because I am too clumsy!
I used to give my good regulars at my old job a little extra, but that was when I was allowed to free pour, big no no at my current job.

 

[One on One]

Originally posted by Drex
Wow I could basically ditto DIESEL's entire post there because I'm also a (hopefully ex, soon) bartender. Not that bartending is not a good job (fun, easy, usually good money).

Anyways that bartender was an a$$hole to say that to you. I would never say something like that to a customer BUT you should have probably left something at least. Even a couple quarters for just 1 beer is fine really, though a buck is better and you'll get your drink right away if you tip me a buck each time for 1 beer.

And dave here is an off-topic tip for you. This might sound dumb but dont drink bud-light, coors light etc. in a club/crowded bar because it makes you look like every other Tom, Di ck and Harry in there (EVERY guy is standing around with a bud in their hand). I've actually had women come up and ask me what I am drinking on more than 1 occasion because I'll drink a Molson or a Red Hook etc.

Can you recommend some beers for me? I don't know many beers so I don't know what to ask for.

Also, I'm really forced to tip a dollar because it's a packed club so all the drinks are even on the dollar, no change. I'm not going to carry around quarters. What pisses me off is that this guy should have recognized me as having tipped him before and not given me ****.

 

[ryoshi]

Actually, I only tip if the bartender has earned it (i.e. cut through the crowd to get my drink, was extra nice, hooked me up otherwise, etc.).

I have the attitude that Mr. Pink does from Reservoir Dogs. A tip shouldn't just be expected, especially if they haven't done anything extraordinary to earn it.

They served you a drink, big f*cking deal. That involves opening and handing you the drink and occasionally mixing it for you. Nothing that should entitle them to more money each time around.

If a girl looks down at you for this, hold strong in your opinion. If she doesn't respect you for it, politely instruct her to go to hell.

 

[iqqi]

Originally posted by ryoshi
Actually, I only tip if the bartender has earned it (i.e. cut through the crowd to get my drink, was extra nice, hooked me up otherwise, etc.).

I have the attitude that Mr. Pink does from Reservoir Dogs. A tip shouldn't just be expected, especially if they haven't done anything extraordinary to earn it.

They served you a drink, big f*cking deal. That involves opening and handing you the drink and occasionally mixing it for you. Nothing that should entitle them to more money each time around.

If a girl looks down at you for this, hold strong in your opinion. If she doesn't respect you for it, politely instruct her to go to hell.

excuse me ryoshi but you are ignorant.

most service workers (waiters, bartenders) do not make minimum wage because their wage IS the tips. that's why there is a standard (18% or more). It is decency and it is just common knowlege, and if you don't want to be served then stay your ignorant cheap ass at home.

 

[Dee-Zy]

Good point. To top it off, they get taxed on their sales so if you don't tip them - they LOSE money. Bartenders and waiters live off their tips. No tips = no rent.

 

[Drex]

Originally posted by dave134
Can you recommend some beers for me? I don't know many beers so I don't know what to ask for.

A lot of bars will have a display of what they have for bottles lined up behind the bar. Look for that first and pick one out or you could ask the bartender if they have any microbrews in a bottle. If the bar sucks and they have no display and no microbrews then try askin for a Molson. If you still have no luck, find a better bar!

 

[ryoshi]

Originally posted by iqqi
excuse me ryoshi but you are ignorant.

most service workers (waiters, bartenders) do not make minimum wage because their wage IS the tips. that's why there is a standard (18% or more). It is decency and it is just common knowlege, and if you don't want to be served then stay your ignorant cheap ass at home.

I don't give a sh1t if they decided to take a job where they depend on an unstable income. I've been a waiter and such and I figured that if I'm just doing the bare minimum, they shouldn't have to reward me. I didn't f*cking hire them so why should I have to pay them for simply getting me a beverage? Besides, if I were to tip them for everything based on common knowledge or decency, why wouldn't I tip a McDonald's worker? They get sh*tty pay and it's a far worse job then being a bartender but you don't see people tipping them do you?

 

[Drex]

You are just cheap; stop trying to justify yourself.

 

[diplomatic_lies]

Originally posted by ryoshi
I have the attitude that Mr. Pink does from Reservoir Dogs. A tip shouldn't just be expected, especially if they haven't done anything extraordinary to earn it.

In that case, the bartender also has the attitude you're not worth serving, and will serve you last.

Hey, if you were a bartender, I'm sure you'd treat the highest tipping patrons first, leaving cheapasses last. Unless, of course, 1 drink is enough.

 

[Derek Flint]

Doorman, Bouncers, Bartenders, Waitresses etc... can be your allies when it comes to pubbing and clubbing, especially if you are a regular at certain places.


Get to know them by name. Tip them well. You'll be given priority when it comes to getting in, getting drinks or if some s#!t goes down, the bouncer you made friends with might save your a$$ etc...

I went to a new club a few weeks ago and I made it a point to tip the bartender $1.00 for the $4.00 Amstel Lights I was drinking.

After about 3 times of doing that, he would have my beer ready for me as I was approaching the bar.

Went in there again last night and he remembered me and I got priority service in a very crowded environment where it usually would take much longer to get served.

Again, bar service people can be great allies when it comes to DJ'ing. They can also provide Social Proof.

Women will think "Gee, everyone here at this club sure seems to like that guy"

Another point: You're out to have fun. If you're going to be cheap, stay home.

 

[DIESEL]

Originally posted by ryoshi
Actually, I only tip if the bartender has earned it (i.e. cut through the crowd to get my drink, was extra nice, hooked me up otherwise, etc.).

I have the attitude that Mr. Pink does from Reservoir Dogs. A tip shouldn't just be expected, especially if they haven't done anything extraordinary to earn it.

They served you a drink, big f*cking deal. That involves opening and handing you the drink and occasionally mixing it for you. Nothing that should entitle them to more money each time around.

If a girl looks down at you for this, hold strong in your opinion. If she doesn't respect you for it, politely instruct her to go to hell.

Tough talk, but you're still not getting it. THE BARTENDER IS IN CONTROL. If you don't tip you better be buying beers because you are going to get some weak ass drinks.

So you get fukked for being cheap, because that's what you are... and it's actually preferable that you leave and never come back, because no-tipping punks like you are a waste of a bartender's time.

I usually ignore a$$holes like you at the club. For real, I will see you, be doing nothing, AND TAKE MY SWEET TIME TO SERVE YOU. or tell one of the other bartenders to take you. Why? BECAUSE I AM NOT YOUR FUKKING MANSERVANT. If you're not taking care of me, I will not waste my time taking care of you. Like I said, I don't want you to come back to my club. Cheap-*******s are welcome NOWHERE. If you are going to drink on a budget DO IT AT HOME.

Oh yeah, waiting tables and bartending are two totally different animals.

D

 

[ryoshi]

Originally posted by Derek Flint
Doorman, Bouncers, Bartenders, Waitresses etc... can be your allies when it comes to pubbing and clubbing, especially if you are a regular at certain places.

Actually, some of the staff at clubs, bars, etc. that I got along with best were the ones that I paid the least. If it's repore that you're after, it works with other people as well as it does the chick you may be with. You cannot and should not buy friends.

In fact, I've become very close to strippers using the same ideas and they work exclusively from tips. I'll tip them for their stage dances but will not buy couch dances or anything extra. I can walk into a strip club and spend less then $20 and hang out with the girls after their shift in which they will often buy me dinner. Then you have the big spenders getting played for their cash, not actually gaining repore.

I actually have bartenders, bouncers, waitresses, and others giving me free things all the time simply for coming correct and being "cool" with them and tipping occasionally. Perhaps it's just my magic charm.

 

[Derek Flint]

Originally posted by ryoshi
Actually, some of the staff at clubs, bars, etc. that I got along with best were the ones that I paid the least. If it's repore that you're after, it works with other people as well as it does the chick you may be with. You cannot and should not buy friends.

In fact, I've become very close to strippers using the same ideas and they work exclusively from tips. I'll tip them for their stage dances but will not buy couch dances or anything extra. I can walk into a strip club and spend less then $20 and hang out with the girls after their shift in which they will often buy me dinner. Then you have the big spenders getting played for their cash, not actually gaining repore.

I actually have bartenders, bouncers, waitresses, and others giving me free things all the time simply for coming correct and being "cool" with them and tipping occasionally. Perhaps it's just my magic charm.

No one is saying that one should "buy friends"

The point of my post was to take care of the people that take care of you.