My roommate in college was a very good server and he made bank. I don’t mind paying that extra $50 in tip if the server can make a $250 dinner into a $300 experience.
I know a waiter/bartender in Breckinridge, who has made over 100k a year for the last three years.
Still priced out of any accommodations within an hour of that place.
Apparently a similar position in Leadville would pay a lot less. So a lot of people are making that hour plus commute (living in Leadville, working in Breckinridge). Apparently at 2am in the winter it’s quite the ride.