How much you tip a bartender doesn’t change when you use the 20% rule. As inflation affects the dollar, a tip would become $2-3 for a beer or $3-5 for a mixer drink. A 20% tip is easy to follow if you’re not sure. Your best bet is to keep your tab open. Paying as you go means endlessly opening and closing your tab. If you do pay as you go, tip the bartender well on that first drink, adding an extra dollar or two.
First, realize that tipping expresses gratitude for good service. Bartenders work hard and manage several orders at once. Tips should range from 15% to 20% of the total price. Always leave a little extra for great service. Check if the bar automatically adds a tip before deciding your tip. Think about leaving cash rather than adding it to a credit card tab.
Expect to pay more if a tip jar is not allowed to make up for lost tip income. Tip 5 to 20% of the total bill. Studies show a bartender’s tips should equal two to four times their hourly salary.
Good Tipping Practices
What is a good tip in 2023?
The standard tip is 20%. Less than 20% is considered a bad tip.
You should tip 18-20% of the pre-tax bill for waitstaff. Tipping makes up a large part of income for service workers. In the UK, tip 10-15% or expect a service charge.
Tip your bartender 15-20% of the total bill. Tip your taxi or rideshare driver 15-20% of the total fare. When staying at a hotel, tip housekeepers a few dollars per night and bellhops per bag carried.
Delivery drivers say a good tip is 15-20% of the order cost. This accounts for their time and effort.
When enjoying good service, show appreciation by tipping 18-20%. Calculate tips beforehand with a calculator.
The top countries for tipping restaurant, hotel and taxi staff are the Bahamas, USA, Ireland, Italy, and Canada. Australians and Japanese people tip the least.
What is the proper amount to tip a bartender?
The standard tipping amount for bartenders is between 15-20% of your total bill. For example, if your bill comes out to $20, you should tip your bartender around $3-$4. If you’re only ordering a few drinks, you can tip $1-$2 per drink.
The $1 for 1 drink rule is acceptable—except when you’re ordering cocktails. You should tip $1 per beer, but $2 per cocktail. If you’re sitting at the bar and getting service, even just water for 20 or 30 minutes, it should be 20 percent. The rules change for a well-made cocktail.
In the U.S., the standard tip is typically $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of the total tab if you’re running one. That’s the extra mile that well-earned tips reward.