I learned something new from LIF

"35. Open Bar Attendant: Generally speaking, if you’re a guest, you don’t have to tip. In fact, it may be considered “tacky” for the attendant to display a tip cup. However, if you request something exotic or unusual the bartender has to go out of his/her way for or if you are ordering quite a bit, you may want to hand him/her an amount equivalent to a dollar a drink. By the way, just FYI, the person hosting the event is responsible for tipping 15 to 20 percent."


I found this on one of the articles on the first page..hmmmm I think I've always tipped an open bar attendant. What are others thoughts on this especially since I have a wedding this weekend where I will be posed with the dilemma.

Re: I learned something new from LIF

i used to work open bar.. and many times they would not allow us to put out a tip jar b/c technically pple were not expected to have cash on them and asking for tips was considered rude

Re: I learned something new from LIF

i am a part time bartender and have worked several open bar parties. some of the customers have tipped me well, others did not. And not every host gives 15-20%.. some hardly give any at all.. some are very generous. it all depends..

I dont put out any kind of tip cup dont do that when I bartend regularly..

I always tip whether it is open bar or not. thats just me though.

Re: I learned something new from LIF

i always pick a bartender, give him/her a $20 - in the beginning - then they have my drink waiting for me.

i would think it would be rude not to tip, but i was a waitress

Re: I learned something new from LIF

I always tip, even if its open bar.

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I always tip as well, open bar or not.

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I always tip!

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I tip just about everywhere I go, well maybe not Mcdonalds etc...

Re: I learned something new from LIF

I always tip also that's why I found that statement very interesting. Okay you answered my question..I'll still tip!

Re: I learned something new from LIF

I ALWAYS tip any bartender - open bar or not.

I do however, have a big problem with a tip jar being out for an open bar. It is fine to tip, I just prefer the bartender to be discreet about it.

Re: I learned something new from LIF

I tip the bartender even if it is open bar..

Re: I learned something new from LIF

We had an open bar at our wedding and we specifically told the bartenders not to put out tip jars/glasses. (They did anyway but we told them to put them away. Luckily we caught them before the wedding.) We didn't want our guests to tip; we tipped them ourselves.

I don't tip at open bars. If you're a guest, I don't think you should have to. Unless, as the post says, you're making a special request.

Re: I learned something new from LIF

I always tip- but I was a bartender for years

Re: I learned something new from LIF

DH and I always tip open bar or not.

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Re: I learned something new from LIF

I have worked alot of weddings and other parties

and have NEVER gotten a tip from the host-

other then the shift pay we got- the few cash tips made it worth working the parties- otherwise they are alot of work for not a lot of money- ( in bartending terms- $125 minus taxes- in not a good bartending night IMO)

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Re: I learned something new from LIF

Re: I learned something new from LIF

Re: I learned something new from LIF

Posted by Jagster2000

Posted by Meaghan729

i always pick a bartender, give him/her a $20 - in the beginning - then they have my drink waiting for me.

My husband always does this and ends up tipping more by the end of the night if the bartender always "took care of him" when he went to get a drink.
I think my DH thinks he is in Goodfellas when he goes to a wedding & needs the bartender to take care of him!
I could never not tip.

Re: I learned something new from LIF

I'm a little confused - for those bar tenders that said you were not tipped by the host when you worked at a wedding. Isnt the tip included in what the bride and groom pay to the reception hall.

For example we are paying x amount per head with a 20% gratuity on top of that. Are we supposed to tip in addition to that?

Re: I learned something new from LIF

Re: I learned something new from LIF

Message edited 9/14/2006 11:21:38 PM.