# What do you tip on a drink at a bar?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [January 21, 2008, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332 "2008-01-21T02:34:46Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/1 "2008-01-21T02:34:46Z")
Sorry, I don’t want this to turn into another restaurant tipping thread, or alcohol served at a table. I’m asking about this one specific case.
If you are at a bar, walk up to the bartender, ask for a drink, and pay right there, what’s the usual tip amount? Are you supposed to tip 15%? I mean, I know the beer’s $5 or $6, so I guess it doesn’t add much more to leave a buck (and sometimes I do), but it seems like there’s not as much effort going in as a server has to put in for her 15%. I can understand if it’s a mixed drink or something (and believe me, when I find a bartender who can make a really good drink I make it a point to tip well), but it takes maybe 15 seconds to pour me a beer on tap, and even less to pop a bottle and hand me a glass. Maybe another 30 seconds to clean the glass later. Shit, if I made half a buck (or even a dime-- not that I’ve ever left someone a dime) for 15 seconds of work, I’d be happy.
What’s the deal with this? Any bartenders out there with some perspective on this issue?
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### Author:  [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/2 "2008-01-21T02:45:33Z")
I usually just tip a dollar regardless of the drink, but then again I never order anything more complicated than a rum and coke.
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### Author:  [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/3 "2008-01-21T02:49:38Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee]
I usually just tip a dollar regardless of the drink, but then again I never order anything more complicated than a rum and coke.
[/QUOTE]
That’s my usual MO as well.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/4 "2008-01-21T02:49:58Z")
I usually just tip a dollar - but then, I rarely drink anything other than beer or straight liquor. Still, I always make a point of at least tipping _something_. These are, after all, the people providing you with sweet, sweet alcohol - tipping is simply your way of showing respect to this sacred vocation. 😃
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/5 "2008-01-21T02:55:47Z")
Dollar a drink. Even if all they did pour me a draft.
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### Author:  [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/6 "2008-01-21T03:01:49Z")
I always tip a buck, whether I’m getting a beer or a fancy mixed drink. Does anyone tip more than a buck per drink?
Daniel
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### Author:  [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/7 "2008-01-21T03:13:56Z")
Bartender gets a buck a drink. A cocktail waitress gets what ever silver there is plus a buck for the first drink and then at least a buck there after depending on the level of service.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/8 "2008-01-21T03:17:41Z")
I tip a buck a drink, unless I order an Irish coffee and the bartender knows what she/he is doing-that gets two bucks and my eternal gratitude.
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### Author:  [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/9 "2008-01-21T03:18:20Z")
Hell, I tip a dollar on dollar PBRs. And all the bartender has to do is pop the top.
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### Author:  [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/10 "2008-01-21T03:19:58Z")
Buck a drink, plus the straight cost of whatever they forget to include on my tab.
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### Author:  [@lobstermobster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobstermobster)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/11 "2008-01-21T03:30:19Z")
a chick tract
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### Author:  [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/12 "2008-01-21T03:45:20Z")
[QUOTE=lobstermobster]
a chick tract
[/QUOTE]
You think you’re joking, but I have seen fake bills left around by Jesus Folk. They look like money when they’re folded up, but inside, it says “Disappointed? You wouldn’t be if you’d accepted Jesus as you personal Lord and Taylor” or whatever.
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### Author:  [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/13 "2008-01-21T03:50:10Z")
Usually, the beer is like 4.50 so I'll leave the .50. I might tip a buck every second or third beer.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/14 "2008-01-21T03:53:17Z")
[QUOTE=saoirse]
You think you’re joking, but I have seen fake bills left around by Jesus Folk. They look like money when they’re folded up, but inside, it says “Disappointed? You wouldn’t be if you’d accepted Jesus as you personal Lord and Taylor” or whatever.
[/QUOTE]
These people need to be flogged.
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### Author:  [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/15 "2008-01-21T03:56:52Z")
[QUOTE=saoirse]
You think you’re joking, but I have seen fake bills left around by Jesus Folk. They look like money when they’re folded up, but inside, it says “Disappointed? You wouldn’t be if you’d accepted Jesus as you personal Lord and Taylor” or whatever.
[/QUOTE]
That is so wrong.
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/16 "2008-01-21T04:19:36Z")
I stiff em. Sorry, folks.
Forgive me for the one time in a year that I do this, but \*\*\*GODDAMMIT! \* \*\* I’m not paying $4.00 for a Fucking Beer!
I’m talkin’ bout wading up to a crowed bar, having everyone young and pretty who came later than you get served sooner, being told you can’t open a tab because “They don’t know you!”, and having the sum total of effort exerted by barstaff be “turn around, grab beer, pop top and grab money”. Fuck you. You’re getting paid. You did your job, now I’ll do mine, walk away and drink the mother-fucker.
Now, when I actually \*go out \* somewhere (rarely), I’ll start a tab and tip very generously, especially to Serena, who is the best bartender/waitress/service person I’ve ever come across. Only person who actually earns her tips, in my opinion. And I worked my way thru college in the food service industry.
I brew, bottle and drink my own at home. I share to a fault (just ask my wife) and never accept tips.
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### Author:  [@Brandon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brandon)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/17 "2008-01-21T04:22:29Z")
[QUOTE=tremorviolet]
Usually, the beer is like 4.50 so I'll leave the .50. I might tip a buck every second or third beer.
[/QUOTE]
Seriously? .50 can be seen as more insulting than not leaving a tip period. I have seen bar patrons get on other people's cases for only leaving change, and I have also seen bartenders pick up the .50 and track down the customer to give it back to them. Just my own anecdotal experiences.
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### Author:  [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/18 "2008-01-21T04:35:46Z")
What about for pitchers?
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### Author:  [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/19 "2008-01-21T05:05:29Z")
I don’t do much drinking in bars, so I’m not sure I’m always doing things “right”. As for the last post, I’ve tipped a dollar for pitchers. Dunno if that’s standard.
What if you give them your credit card and pay when you leave? I did that the other night. Are you supposed to tip cash for each drink, or tip at the end? I didn’t have cash so I tipped at the end. I didn’t get an itemized receipt though so I’m not sure how many drinks I actually had. I just guessed and tacked that on.
Oh, and for the OP, I just tip a dollar. I’d rather not, but that seems to be the thing to do. Even on the $1.50 piss that I drink when I can’t taste things anymore. When I’ve ordered 4 $1.50 pisses at once I don’t think I left $10 though.
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### Author:  [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2008, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-tip-on-a-drink-at-a-bar/434332/20 "2008-01-21T05:07:47Z")
I think for a pitcher we usually tip a dollar, perhaps two, depending. I mean, strictly speaking, getting us a pitcher isn’t that much more work than getting us a pint, no? One might say it was less work, since the bartender won’t have to pour us all individual drinks.
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