# Why do bartenders ring bells? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 24, 2000, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bartenders-ring-bells/11040 "2000-04-24T16:31:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![theuglytruth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@theuglytruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theuglytruth)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2000, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bartenders-ring-bells/11040/1 "2000-04-24T16:31:00Z")
I’m told bartenders ring bells behind the bar everytime they get a big tip. The theory behind this I’m told is that it subconciously makes the customers leave bigger tips. I happen to know this is not true, since I almost never tip a bartender more than a dollar. But seriously ladies and germs, what is the deal with this ritual? Is it just a strange tradition? Or is the bellringing something that has absolutely nothing to do with tipping??? ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2000, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bartenders-ring-bells/11040/2 "2000-04-24T16:34:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m told bartenders ring bells behind the bar everytime they get a big tip. That’s how I always knew it to be. > [@](#): > > The theory behind this I’m told is that it subconciously makes the customers leave bigger tips. That sounds like a load to me. It’s more of a “cheers” to the guy who left the tip. > [@](#): > > I happen to know this is not true, since I almost never tip a bartender more than a dollar. I take it you don’t get the bell too often. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2000, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bartenders-ring-bells/11040/3 "2000-04-25T05:06:00Z")
Actually, in the bars I used to go to, the customer rang the bell, and it signified that he (or she) was buying a round for everyone at the bar. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2000, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bartenders-ring-bells/11040/4 "2000-04-25T05:39:00Z")
In my dad’s bar the bell was rung when someone used profanity, and had to put a quarter in a jar as a fine. This custom, I assume, is as lost as my mom’s recipe for the pickled eggs that were in another jar back there. (2nd offence: you had to eat one of the eggs) * * * Your deep sea diving suit is ready, me brave lad. ---
**Author:** ![Gazoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ce73a5/32.png) [@Gazoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazoo)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2000, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bartenders-ring-bells/11040/5 "2000-04-25T05:44:00Z")
At the bars I frequent that have a bell it is generally used to signify that someone has bought a round for the house. Also, for a while Pabst was supplying bells, in exchange for which they asked that the bartenders ring the bell each time someone ordered a Pabst Blue Ribbon. * * * If at first you don’t succeed - redefine success! ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2000, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bartenders-ring-bells/11040/6 "2000-04-25T05:50:00Z")
**theuglytruth** : > [@](#): > > I’m told is that it subconciously makes the customers leave bigger tips. It’s nothing that subtle. You ring the bell so you can call attention to the bigshot who left a large tip. This encourages two things: 1. The bigshot gets the recognition he desires. 2. Wannabe bigshots are reminded that if they follow suit, you’ll create the same racket for them. Bartenders quickly learn that they can benefit from the shrapnel of a large ego. Some people love to overtip bartenders to look like high rollers, bartenders obviously like to encourage these people. But it works the other way, too. I was gently taken to task once by a gentleman who was tipping heavily but didn’t want us [the bartenders] to make a scene. He said, “I’m not trying to impress anyone but you guys.” * * * stoli “There’s always a little dirt, or infinity, or something.” -Feynman ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2000, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bartenders-ring-bells/11040/7 "2000-04-25T14:39:00Z")
In the Yukon it signifies you’ve bought a round for the house. And if you’re a newbie they are not above tricking you into ringing the bell. * * * Wisdom is the boobie prize,they give you when you’ve been --unwise! ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2000, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bartenders-ring-bells/11040/8 "2000-04-25T15:37:00Z")
Actually, it’s just that barbells are good exercise.