Tip the Bartender?

[noseybuddy]

I just went to a Christmas Party that a friend of mine was giving. It was at her house, well it really looks like a mansion, and they had a bartender. So we go up to the bar and order some drinks. Now would you tip the bartender or not. I wanted to but everybody else said it wasn't necessary since he was bartending in the person's home. What do you do? Tip or no Tip.

 

[ReggieB]

I don't know this for sure, but I would have thought it was the responsibility of the host to tip the bartender at the end of the evening.

 

[Alice's Mom]

I agree with ReggieB that it is the hosts responsibility to tip the bartender, not the guests.

 

[mick67]

I always tip the bartender. When in doubt, ask where the tip jar is...the bartender will either show you or tell you that tips are not necessary.

 

[William Jefferson Clinton]

Don't be stingy. Tip the gosh darn bartender. My Lord, how hard is it? You are at a party of your friend's. What gift did you get him/her? Probably nothing! Or maybe a Chocolate Babka? What harm could come for making a person serving you feel a little better with throwing tham a bone? Merry Christmas!!!

 

[Honu]

No. At a private party, the host tips the wait staff.

 

[William Jefferson Clinton]

No. At a private party, the host tips the wait staff.

It is not against etiquette to tip a bartender or wait staff at a private function. The receipt will most likely contain a gratuity in the final bill but what that figure is, or what the staff receives, is not known to the customer. Most times it is well below the normal 15%. You can preach whatever you want Honu, but service people are worth the extra tipping in my opinion!

 

[dg39]

At a private party the host/hostess normally does tip the staff, but, we as guests always do too. We've been to quite a few parties and have thrown some where most guests have tipped on there own. But, then again, we tip most people who do a service for us. Its just a nice gesture..

 

[disneymcgraw]

I would have tipped the guy.

 

[noseybuddy]

I also thought it would be a nice gesture. Especially with the holiday coming. I didn't think it would be such a big deal to leave a tip, but the people I went to this party with, just weren't into it. I don't know if they thought it wasn't proper or they just didn't want to part with the money.

 

[Honu]

It is not against etiquette to tip a bartender or wait staff at a private function. The receipt will most likely contain a gratuity in the final bill but what that figure is, or what the staff receives, is not known to the customer. Most times it is well below the normal 15%. You can preach whatever you want Honu, but service people are worth the extra tipping in my opinion!

Hmmm, I don't see where I implied they weren't worth a nice tip. The question is where that tip should come from. If the host isn't tipping above and beyond the bill, that's a shame. Guests shouldn't and shouldn't feel obliged to give anything more than a compliment for good service at a private party.

 

[noseybuddy]

DH and I are disagreeing over this one. He says no not necessary and I say so what's the big deal.

 

[Micca]

I would think that the bartender would negotiate a rate with the host commensurate with what they earn per hour plus tips. Party guests in someones home should not be expected to pay for anything.

 

[shortbun]

Not necessary but nice. Either way, you're ok.

 

[LoveWDW]

"Caterers, Banquet Managers, Waitstaff, Bartenders

Those falling into the above category usually have gratuities of 15% to 20% included in their contracts. An additional tip may be provided for exceptional service, at your discretion. Never allow your bartender(s) to accept tips from guests. "

This is from: http://store.allisonnichole.com/tigu.html on wedding etiquette, but it is probably the same at any private party.

When I attend a private party, I don't expect to have to pay for anything. If the bottles are sitting out for help yourself, or if the host serves, or if the host has hired servers and bartenders- I don't expect to have to pay or tip- the servers or the bartenders. The host should have arranged the tips as part of the contract, especially in the host's own home.

I worked as a server at private parties when I was in college, I carried trays of food around and offered them to the guests. Tipping by the guests was never expected, and it never happened.

 

[ducklite]

I used to tend bar at peivate parties for extra cash. Sometimes once or twice during the night I'd get a tip from a guest, but it was generally the hosts responsibility to offer a tip over the set amount they wre paying if they chose to. Some did, some didn't. Some hosts specifically told me not to accept tips from their guests, others encouraged it. It was really case by case.

It was actually a lot of fun, easy work, and the nice thing was a guaranteed wage as opposed to working in a bar or restaurant basically for tips. Plus they usually had catered food and all but once I was told to eat!

Anne

 

[disneychrista]

IMO, if you feel the need to tip anyone do so. Never feel obligated to do so in any circumstances.