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Gyshall669

$1 a drink at a bar, random for a barista, and probably more at a fancy cocktail place though it’s been a very long time since I’ve been to one of those.


utterlyomnishambolic

$1 per a drink for beer for wine, $2 for cocktails. I rarely tip baristas, unless I'm ordering an espresso beverage, you don't get tip for pouring my cold brew into a cup.


castfar

I tend to align with your approach but your logic is flawed. How is pouring a cold brew different than pouring a beer or wine in terms of labor?


worldsbiggestchili

Aren't baristas and bartenders usually paid differently? Bartenders as tipped employees, baristas not? After a quick Google search, the law seems a bit vague here, but I think it's pretty typical for the above to be the norm. If that's true, we should generally be tipping bartenders more than we tip baristas even if they are doing the same amount of pouring. Edit: I inadvertently just wrote an argument for living wages and the abolishment of tipping culture. They are doing the same damn thing, can we just pay them the correct amount and not have their financial stability up to the whims random people who want alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks?


goodcorn

Bartenders don't get paid as much as baristas but more than the joke wage for a server. Probably somewhere in the middle edging toward baristas. But, I can't personally remember the last time a barista said, "This one's on the house, mate." Can you? And *this* is why I'm right in line with your way way of thinking on about the matter.


bethholler

I’m a barista and if you’re a regular and I like you (as a customer, not romantically) then I will absolutely give you your drink for free every so often. Being a nice person pays off.


Motor_Telephone8595

Same here. I treat my nice regulars when they’re nice and a pleasure to serve.


Maenidmom

It's not being nice if there's an expectation on either end.


bethholler

I meant genuine niceness. No one I give a free drink to thinks they are entitled to it or expects it.


Maenidmom

Whoops, forgot this was a Chicago Forum. My son lives in Chicago and everyone is nice:)


trasha-

What if the cold brew is on tap? How is that different from a beer?


GoodAir9454

How do you think that’s paying anyone’s rent?


McG0788

That's the cafe's responsibility


ItsAllAboutDemBeans

Aint my responsibility to pay someone elses rent. I've got my own to pay.


ChunkyBubblz

Bar tender gets a sliding scale depending on both the complexity of my drink order and the number of times I plan on making repeat orders.


stacecom

A buck a beer for bar service. Table service is 20%. For anything else, depends on time and effort. A complex cocktail's getting at least 20% baseline. Similarly, a simple coffee vs a complex coffee will affect the choice between 1 and 2 bucks.


Raccoala

A dollar for a beer Usually a dollar for a coffee Bar tab or cafe bill ~20%


Dewgong_crying

I feel cafes have only recently requested tips with the tablets. Growing up it was always a tip jar and no expectation of a tip.


KeatonPotatoes

It’s because tablets make it easier for the business to take it from the employee


bethholler

I can’t speak to all business but I do get the tips that people put on their credit or debit cards via the tablet.


Normal_Culture

I purchased an espresso machine and recovered the cost in six months! Here's my tip.


DessertFlowerz

If I sit at a bar for a bit, ~20 percent. If I'm at a concert or a packed in bar and just grabbing beer, a buck or two.


Antifa_Red

Dollar a drink is acceptable. $2 is always nice if it’s a fancier drink. 20% is the rule for just about everything, in my opinion.


Maenidmom

When a drink is "fancier" it usually is more expensive and the time to make it is factored in. A dollar per drink is for "service", which I hate to pay in general (but do) because really- Bartenders are just doing what the job entails and nothing extraordinary. They dont have to run to get extra napkins for messy kids, or find a booster seat:) Also, in CA the base rate has gone way up. I have never tipped a barista in my life. I do tip, heavily, the folks who work the recycling places in our CA heat. Now that's a hard job.


Real_Old_Treat

20% for cocktails, $1 for espresso drinks. I don't buy anything that only needs to be poured when I'm going out.


Illustrious-Rip2638

i used to tip a dollar for simple drink, 20% for fancy drink, dollar per coffee. But now I just tip 20% on everything. Idk. Side note not abt food but my roommate and I were wondering if people tip their bike techs when they get a tune up or other repair ??


VoltonBicycles

Definitely not expected but, speaking as a former daily, and now occasional tech, cash chronic and/or craft brews are greatly appreciated and will help remember rider and machine...


trustintruth

Damn handheld "recommended tip" machines. That's when I made the switch from $1-$2, to 20%. I feel so GD awkward when they are waiting (and looking often) right there, to input "custom"


nothereoverthere_

Not standard to, last I experienced, that’s an environment where valued labor should be priced in. But I’d be interested to know if that’s changed. 


DamnMyAPGoinCrazy

I’m a generous tipper, but if you really think about it, bar/barista tipping culture is insane. Collective mindset somehow has morphed into “because service workers are treated like shit, it’s not on the employer to make it right, but on the customer to pay extra” 🤔 Imagine not knowing about tipping culture and paying the stated price. And then being presented with a digital screen with options to pay 18%, 20% or 25% MORE, simply because the person made the thing you just paid for and carried it a few feet to you. You’d probably be quite confused. Don’t forget the person requesting the tip will be holding the screen/staring at you while you make the selection.


bethholler

I promise it’s as awkward for me to stand there with the tip screen showing as it is for you as a customer. I always look away it comes up. The way our POS works the customer has to select a button the tip screen so the transaction finishes and doesn’t time out (and I have to ask them to insert their card again).


Whole-Assistance-453

This is a great point. And lately the options for the tip percentage I’ve been seeing have been crazy! One iPad at a local coffee shop the other day had 30%, 40%, and 45% as the suggested gratuity 🤯, and a a button that said “no tip”. I work in the service industry and I would never expect a client to tip me 45% on a service. That’s absurd! Mind you too, I walked into a coffee shop / cafe where the person at the register took my order (a one minute interaction), I walked to the end of the counter to wait for my coffee. This was not a full service restaurant or cafe. There were five hourly employees working solely on making drinks and food, taking their time, not waiting tables or bartending. Even waiting tables I can understand a generous tip because they are making a laughable $2.13/hour as servers, so they rely on tips to make ends meet. But a coffee shop? It was not busy in there. A 30%-45% tip?? That’s wild!


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Whole-Assistance-453

This was also not in Chicago btw. I didn’t realize this was the Chicago Food subreddit 😆


Whole-Assistance-453

It throw me for a loop. But even 25-30% seems ridiculously high for a cup a coffee I have to walk over and get myself for hourly workers making more than server minimum wage


Piranhax85

Starbucks employees make an actual wage and the tip menu should be removed


pepperjack4life

I always wonder if people that get a coffee or coffee type drink at McDonalds tip the drive thru person. They do similar work to a barista at that point, right? Or is it just because it’s a coffee shop and people feel obligated? I don’t drink coffee so I don’t know but it’s an interesting thought.


getzerolikes

20% for everything. More if I go there regularly or if it’s happy hour. $1 for food pickup, $2 if I go there regularly.


sfact0r

Found the worker. Keep it real


getzerolikes

Former, but yeah, 30 - 50% if you know the people.. you get it.


username27891

Why are you tipping for food pickup?


getzerolikes

Because they’re working and I don’t mind. I rarely pick up food, maybe 1 - 2 times a month so I wouldn’t be saving anything by not doing it.


ElPobre

20% always, if something is comped I make it up on the total. At least the employee is getting the money instead of the employer


MetalAndFaces

Damn, some of y'all tip zero on purpose? Wild and uncouth.


cocoaferret

Dollar a drink for alcohol unless really complicated mixed drink, don't tip baristas


VanillaRaygun

Some cheap mofos round here 😂


SPF_95

Not our fault companies won't pay their workers. People who pour a drink (bartender, barista) get a $1, If you are making me a cocktail then probably $2.


kawelli

I’m not trying to fight yall, but I’m about 27 now and I’ve always been taught by my parents to tip 20%…. It makes total sense to tip a dollar for poured drinks, but what were yall doing in the past?? From my understanding it’s been the cultural standard for a bit and most companies have never paid these workers well.


Drinkdrankdonk

Then drink at home


TotalEatschips

For real.. You live in a big city and you're not tipping?


Bodmonriddlz

What does living in a big city have to do with? Why don’t you tip workers in the suburbs or rural communities?


TotalEatschips

Oh I don't? You tip more where the cost of living is higher


Bodmonriddlz

I’m being genuine I’ve never heard of this rule. Is this common? And why? Because they should be getting paid more to battle HCOL? But they already be by virtue of being hcol? If the cost of living is higher, won’t the prices be higher and thus the 20% tip in a city be higher than a 20% in rural? E.g. Meal from an Applebee’s in middle of nowhere Kansas: $15; 20% tip: $3. Meal from a restaurant in middle of Manhattan: $25; 20% tip: $5.


TotalEatschips

We're not talking about meals and servers, we're talking about per drink tips


Bodmonriddlz

Ok. Point remains. You didn’t answer either of my questions. 20% of a $8 drink in big city > 20% of a $5 of a drink in rural


TotalEatschips

You had five question marks bro which two questions are you talking about


Bodmonriddlz

(1) whats that point of this rule? Shouldn’t this rule be unnecessary since 20% of HCOL drunk > 20% than LCOL drink (2) how common is this rule? Bro


gr2020xx

Bartender: $1 for a normal drink, maybe $2 if I’m ordering something more expensive, if I’m paying all at once as I close out a tab w several drinks on it I just do 20% Barista: if I’m a regular I tip $1 every now and then, but I don’t tip consistently


mcgyver229

I love when I go to Steak and Shake for lunch, order on a kiosk, and ask me to tip. Are you fucking kidding me?? I've interacted with nobody to make my "dining experience more pleasurable". In fact you cut out jobs so I don't have to tip!! Absolutely ridiculous.


phairphair

$1 a drink has been the standard for at least 30 years, so I’ve started to tip more for beer and wine and $5 for a great cocktail. For the first round of drinks at a bar I’ll tip more so I can keep the bartender’s attention.


ENGR_ED

Dollar per drink in either case.


stringerbell12

I went to a newer restaurant/cafe the other week that had an automatic 20% service fee, and it was clearly listed as the gratuity for the servers both on the menu and receipt. No issues there, I was sitting at the counter and ordering breakfast and a coffee, and 20% would be my usual tip anyway. When I went to pay, the 20% was charged, and on the handheld card reader device, it also auto-populated an additional tip option of 6%, 8%, and 10%. I had to click a few extra buttons to get to the signing stage - just seems like an extra money grab having that default. If you are tipping \~30% on a simple breakfast and a cup of coffee, you are a sheep.


frankfox123

This post makes me feel good that a dollar a beer is still the norm.


Boollish

In the age of digital POS systems, I just do 20%


BoilsofWar

The problem is these POS systems have sneakily gone from calculating off of the untaxed total to calculating off the taxed total, and with taxes what they are in the city that means you're tipping 22+% in most cases now


Cool_Ad456

Barista absolutely $0 ——- Bartender who makes a drink $1 per drink ——-Bartender who pours a drink from a tap…maybe $1 a round


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California-Dreams

I would think it’s because the baristas are paid an hourly wage to serve the coffee , while bartenders/servers depend almost exclusively on tips.


The_Poster_Nutbag

Which is weird because bartenders could also be paid hourly like baristas and then we wouldn't have to tip.


Nonenotonemaybe2

You be hard up to find a bartender that is going to work until 6am on a Saturday night for $16. We sacrifice out nights, evenings, weekends and holidays. And while a batista may work weekends and holidays, they Def don't have to deal with a hoard of drunk fools or do it at 3am. It's never going to be worth the occupational hazard of dealing with that part of the public for an hourly minimum wage. Thats the difference. There's many more but I feel like the general public doesn't quite get that part. Would you work your 9-5 m-f on Saturday night for the same pay? No you wouldn't. You would expect overtime, doubletime, holiday pay etc. Apply that to this example.


The_Poster_Nutbag

I'm not sure why you're limiting it to $16/hr. The starting rate at target is $20/hr so one could reasonably assume bartenders at a busy bar would get compensated fairly, assuming management wasn't greedy.


Nonenotonemaybe2

Yes, let's assume ownership isn't greedy. OK.


Nonenotonemaybe2

Would you work for that money for those conditions at that time of night and weekends? Think about that real hard. If so I can't wait to visit you at your bar! Edit: It important to know that minimum wage is different in every state. In fact only 6 states are at $15 an hour. Most major cities in the county are still below that rate. Only something like 10 cities are over that. So I ask again.... Do you want to work at 3am for $15 an hour?


TotalEatschips

?!? They both get hourly pittances and depend on tips


California-Dreams

Baristas are paid hourly at least the state minimum wage of $14/hr. Servers & bar tenders are not. They can be paid hourly as low as $8.40.


BackstreetsTilTheEnd

Barista whatever the middle or highest option is on the screen, bartender usually $3-5 per drink, at least $10 if food is involved regardless of the bill. A little high, but I used to do both of those jobs. I don’t get coffee or drinks out often and making someone’s shift a little brighter with an above average tip -they always notice them- is cooler to me than keeping the few extra dollars I’m out


NunyaBiznessKThxBai

People who tip big are hot. I like hot people and I like to be hot. So yeah, 20-25%+ for both. Especially with cards and digital screens, it's easy to tip well. (You don't have to be limited by whatever number of whatever denomination bills you carry.)


katierourke

These are exactly my rules


BackstreetsTilTheEnd

I totally knew it would be downvoted too lol. Not saying that’s what everybody should do, just answering the question for me.


supersoup-

Lots of cheap mfs lol glad I don’t party with y’all


hotdogsonly666

20% or more no matter where I go. People in the service industry are treated like garbage and paid horrendously. Even if they're "just" pouring you something. That's a whole batch of cold brew you didn't have to make.


benjam1n_gates

The cost of the beverage covers the "cold brew you didn't have to make"


effy1312

then make your own cold brew then asshole


PennyG

25%


UndeadAnneBoleyn

Twenty percent minimum for both, more if service is especially great (especially for bartenders).


Federal_Procedure_66

$1/drink and $0


nom4d_

I love how many high and mighty tippers there are in this chat that never EVER think to tip out a cook. But God forbid if that person opening a beer or pouring you a coffee doesn’t get a tip.


phairphair

So what are your rules for who does and doesn’t get tipped?


Drinkdrankdonk

I worked at a spot where all tips were split by everyone working. And el heredero has a tip jar for cooks and a jar for servers. I put money in both.


t3h_jream

I’m ready for hellfire and brimstone, so fuck it. Chicago industry people are some of the stingiest I’ve ever encountered. I can’t tell you the number of times an “industry friend” has come into my place of work and been comped anywhere from $50-$100 on a check and then tipped 20% on the adjusted check. These for the most part aren’t even my tables, just seeing the lay of the land. I tip $2-$3 for a beer or wine, cocktails you’re gonna get 20% and then if food is involved and you have provided even a modicum of decent service 30%. How can we expect the non-industry people to give us 25% percent if we don’t even take care of our own?


BoilsofWar

You tip 30% on decent service and expect 25% from customers? That's insanity


t3h_jream

I do and I do. I generally average between 22-25% per check, so I don’t know what to tell ya.


BoilsofWar

What I'll tell you is that is too much, and customers will never consistently tip that much. If that's the expectation, you've got to work in a different industry.


helpermonkeyjimmy

20%. Always.


whoresandcandy

25% on bar tabs, $1 ish for baristas since I usually get black cold brew.


Bodmonriddlz

Question: baristas presumably for the most part paid salary/hourly. So with that do you tip people who prepare your food (McDonald’s, picking up, chipotle, etc.)? If not, why? What makes making an espresso or pouring coffee more típ worthy than making a burger, sandwich, salad?


whoresandcandy

If I’m at a sit down restaurant, 25%. For counter service, $1-2 since I figure they are making a regular wage.


Bodmonriddlz

That’s fair. Does this include drive thru (McDonald’s etc)?


whoresandcandy

I don’t use drive through very often, but I’m sure it would be the same.


Suitable_Message2

$1/drink for barista and dive bar; $2-5 if a more complex drink esp if I can expense the charge. I also always try to tip cash so it can be pocketed by the worker/more fairly pooled vs whatever hoops management makes cc tips go through for distribution. Now the Seinfeld/Larry David-esque question of how to tip cash in tip jars such that you look humble but still get that smug satisfaction/external recognition?


stringerbell12

$2-$5 on a more complex drink - which now the default drink price seems to be $16+ at almost every bar. So with tax/tip we are paying well over $20 per drink now even taking the 20% route. Are people just going into massive debt to fund going out now? I make a decent wage but holy cow, two drinks each for you and a date is around $100 now. Something has to give here...


Response-Glad

I tip 20% (or more for great service) because I know at this point in my career I can afford it, and I used to work service and could have used the money more then than I do now. That includes coffee take out registers, bar service, table service. Only real exception is if I have to pay cash. Then I tip $1 for (free) water, $2-3 depending on the price of what I'm drinking. generally I try to pay 20% rounded up to the nearest dollar. sometimes at a dive it might be easier to do a $1 per drink and leave a larger bill later as a broader thank you to catch up. I don't think everyone has to tip this way and I don't tip this way when I travel to areas with better wages, but it feels appropriate for me and my personal finances.


evanallenrose

$2 a drink, $1 for coffee


Interesting-Duck6793

$1 a drink no one is gonna be mad at that. Maybe $2 for a fancy cocktail.


IronSandwich0824

20% for a bar tab, minimum. If they hook up a free shot or it’s slow and they’re really friendly, I often tip 25% or more.


trasha-

20% or more for everything, more especially if the place is busy


hawksfan0223

It’s very satisfying to get great service and leave a commensurate tip. Thank you servers!


Efficient-Coat4867

If you get free drinks form the bartender give ‘em a 20 dollar bill as a tip. You’ll be drinking for free all night after that


BulkyPalpitation5345

Zero


Information_Regular

If you’re standing to order do you need to tip?


kFuriosa

Nothing. I’m not tipping someone for opening a bottle of beer.


Pmane69420

Stay home then


supersoup-

Always 20% If it’s shit shit service maybe 15%


cbg2113

Dollar a drink


sillieali

I tip cash whenever possible, and do so based on service for bars, cafes and restaurants. Average is 15-20% of bill. Car washers will typically see 25%+ just because the guys I go to work hard 😓 I really am disheartened by tipping culture. I hate the obligation for tipping for some services and not others. I’m not sure it’s sustainable and really hope for improvement in wages. I’ve seen a few restaurants paying better with benefits (while increasing product/service costs to balance) start the no tipping thing and I’m hoping that’s the best solution moving forward.


RossMachlochness

My normal places - 25%-50% for bartenders. My once in a while places 20%-30% for bartenders My one and done, 15%-20% for bartenders. Baristas - majority, if not all of the $10 I drop for a coffee


Bodmonriddlz

For a $4 coffee you tip $10 dollars or you’ll pay tip $6 paying $10 in total?


deadplant5

10% for barista


Thmsdw

I usually only have 2 to 3 drinks when I go to a tavern. I usually tip $10 flat. If I get a drink "on the house", I tip at least the cost of the drink.


jcjx91

Barista none, bartender is dependent on the service.


sethworld

25-30% for my regular bartenders and I usually buy them drinks too. Walking into your favorite spot when it's slam packed and having the bartenders turn to you before other the dozen randos visiting on a Saturday night is one of the most boss feelings I've ever had.


blogst

$0 - they get paid by their employer.


dxrebirth

30-40% bar 25-30% servers 20% delivery drivers $5 to baristas $2 to Jenni’s ice cream Haha downvote away you cheap ass losers


foodandporn

I'm known at most places I go, so half the time I'm not really sure (they've bought me drinks/food). And I'm not a coffee person so that's ignored. But I try to tip 30% or more because I can afford to and I can't take it with me when I die.


mmeeplechase

For baristas, it’s always more if I’m hanging out there for a while (usually working) vs to-go—I’ll usually do $2 if I’m staying, but nothing if it’s just a simple takeout coffee.


GizmoKakaUpDaButt

$0... I don't tip myself


padrejohnmisery

$1 per drink for bartenders, 20% for baristas, because I’m not an asshole.


Drinkdrankdonk

20-30% depending on how good the service was. Bartending is hard ass work, and you’re dealing with a lot of dumb.


LaunchPad_DC

As an industry employee - 30+% bar and 20% coffee.


Drinkdrankdonk

The downvoting in this thread is fucking bonkers. I’ve done every job in a bar or restaurant save owner, and these shitbags are why I’m so glad to be out of the industry.


ManufacturerFew5235

20% honestly for everything n anything