Do you tip the bartenders at an "open bar" at a wedding?

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: dug777
I usually give them my power of attorney as soon as i arrive at the bar, along with my credit cards, unlimited access to my SO's nether regions, and the offer of a backrub if they're feeling stressed.

You guys are the cheapest tippers i've ever heard of

Yep - like all the free booze you can drink isn't worth $1.00 measly dollar per drink.


Yes, you cheap bastards, they may have a gratuity built into the bill, but I don't care about that (since I'm not paying the base gratuity), my tips are going to get me EXTREMEMLY cheap, quailty drinks, you are going to get basic, if not short-pour drinks.

Even if I'm just drinking beer, I will get mine faster and colder than you...

 

[lokiju]

I would.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: dug777
I usually give them my power of attorney as soon as i arrive at the bar, along with my credit cards, unlimited access to my SO's nether regions, and the offer of a backrub if they're feeling stressed.

You guys are the cheapest tippers i've ever heard of

Yep - like all the free booze you can drink isn't worth $1.00 measly dollar per drink.


Yes, you cheap bastards, they may have a gratuity built into the bill, but I don't care about that (since I'm not paying the base gratuity), my tips are going to get me EXTREMEMLY cheap, quailty drinks, you are going to get basic, if not short-pour drinks.

Even if I'm just drinking beer, I will get mine faster and colder than you...

We don't tip here, and service is great, no one gets annoyed if you don't extend the mortgage on your house to pay them for doing the job they're paid to do (granted they get paid a decent wage), seems to me that everyone wins

 

[LordMaul]

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: LordMaul
Depends. One wedding I went to, they had a bowl out for tips if the customers wanted to tip. Others I've been to, there is no place to leave a tip and no one actively tips anyone...higher class weddings, I'd almost say it would be a bit out of place.

a bit presumptous no? I have been to "high" and low class functions and it all depends on the way in which the drinks are served...if it is a "bar" type setting where you go up and ask the barkeep to make you a drink or what not then generally, bowl or no bowl, tips are accepted and welcomed...if you are talking a wedding where waitors walk around with drinks and what not then yes tipping would seem out of place.

Like I said, it depends on the wedding. If they're trying to get drinks to people quickly and have a line of guests at the bar, I rarely see tipping happen and to stop the bartender and give him money to deal with is sometimes treated as more of an annoyance than anything.

Other times, if there is a place for it and it doesn't force them to handle more things than they are tied up with until it gets slow, it is of course an obvious thing to do.

If you're wondering if I'm pulling these things out of my ass or just basing my experience on a friend's wedding or two, I do have a bit more experience than that. I occasionally work with wedding photographers with on-the-job digital artwork (some photographers offer small retouched prints taken earlier in the event to the guests before the night is over, requiring an artist to be present for a short amount of time).

So, I end up attending many weddings of different calibers and denominations. I'm not generally known as "staff," though, so I get to roam the area and am usually given whatever a guest would receive, if anyone even notices I'm working at all. My opinion is just what I have gathered from those experiences, so if my logic is skewed and I've been missing something, OK... You'll keep tipping in whatever manner makes you comfortable anyway.

 

[Kenazo]

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: Kenazo
I'd say no. The hosts will already be paying an amount for gratuity. (or at least they do here)

Cheap prick.. :|

I think it depends on the area in which you live.

I live in a rural farming area, where the average wage is probable under $20k/year. This is just how things are done here.

 

[T9D]

They shouldn't even allow tips at an open bar at a wedding. It should all be paid up front. there should be no obligation on the guests to pay for anything or feel obligated to tip anyone. If I was getting married I'd make sure they were paid well and dont accept tips.

 

[Al Neri]

sure

 

[UDT89]

i usually give $20 halfway through the night for me and my date. he's making your drinks, and usually tipping increases his pours.

if you tip the valet parking guy at the wedding, then you tip the bartender.

 

[Manuwell]

No $ tip here.

When I go to an open bar, I use to order 2 drinks.

I walk out with one and leave the other one to the bartender and tell him "this one is on me".

 

[j00fek]

nope, they are alread3y paid for drink up!

 

[Zolty]

uhh if it's free to you, you should be able to give them something.

 

[SoulAssassin]

If I'm going to be getting the drinks from the same bar/bartender all night I'll usually just throw them a 10 at the beginning of the night making sure they see it and remember my face. If I'm going to to multiple bars throughout the night (say some places have an inside and an outside bar or whatever) then a buck or two each round. I mean c'mon...you're eating and drinking for free that day. The least you can do is throw the bartended a few bucks to make sure you get good service and strong drinks.

 

[Vic]

No. The gratuity is including in the host's bill.

 

[bignateyk]

The host is already paying a hefty amount for gratuity, so id say no. I have never seen anyone tip at any of the higher class weddings ive been to.

 

[Tiamat]

yes. Not much, but I usually tip 1$ every other or every other 2 drinks if i forget

 

[captains]

Originally posted by: bozack
open bar or not they are still getting you a drink, yes I tip generally a dollar a drink

 

[Kntx]

Originally posted by: Coquito
Ten/twenty bucks upfront so he can keep them comming.

Yep, twenty on the first drink gets you to the front of the line all night.

 

[J0hnny]

Originally posted by: Vic
No. The gratuity is including in the host's bill.

That's right. Just checked with a few planners.

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: captains

Originally posted by: bozack
open bar or not they are still getting you a drink, yes I tip generally a dollar a drink

and they are already being tipped >15% for said drink. It probably works out to alot more because the host has to pay a fixed cost/person for the open bar regardless of whether that person drinks anything or not.

Like I said, I have never seen anyone tip at an open bar at a higher class wedding. I could see it happening if it was a cheaper reception because they would likely charge less for the open bar.

edit: if you feel the need to tip someone, tip the host. They are the ones shelling out >15 grand for the wedding and already paying the tip on those drinks. Not that you would actually ever tip the host, but there is no reason to tip the bartenders.

 

[randomlinh]

$1-$2... regardless of beer or mixed drink.

 

[theknight571]

I've never personally tipped at such an event, but I have seen tip jars on the counter and watched people put money in them.

 

[ajayjuneja]

I tip $10 - $20 up front, get served nicely the whole evening.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Vic
No. The gratuity is including in the host's bill.

You're not tipping to support the bartender and put his kids through college. You're tipping for better drinks and better service. It doesn't matter if the host is paying the base tip. Tipping extra gets you extra. Give the guy a $20 up front and you'll be taken care of, you'll be served first as others wait and sometimes you'll get premium brands that are not part of the base liquor package. Last wedding I went to there was no Amaretto as part of the open bar service. I tipped the guy $20 on the first round and my GF got Amaretto sours all night. She was the only one in the place that got them.

 

[Kev]

You have to be beyond cheap to not tip when the booze is free.

 

[moshquerade]

most definitely