Tipping Bartender

annielouise

We are wanting to take care of all tips for the bartender so guests don't have to tips as they get drinks.  How did you decide what to tip, or did you tip at the end of the evening?  We want to get an idea what we should plan to tip.  Also, how did you go about letting guests know that tips have been taken care of?  I know someone (I think Tiffany??) had a heck of time with her bartender still asking for tips and we really want to avoid this problem.

Here's a little insight:
-We are having 92 guests, 75 which are adults 21 yrs plus.
-We are providing beer, wine and possibly a signature drink. 
-Shun me if you may, but all other straight/mixed liquor drinks will be available for a cash bar-however, we still don't want guests to have to tip for those drinks.

bsn1752

We're paying 20% of top of our bar cost (for wine and beer... cash liquor too).  Our rough estimate is about $220-250.  We have about the same amount of guests.

Hope that helps!

NMac2010

I'm not sure there's a formal way to tell people "Hey, don't tip the bartender". If people want to slip him/her a few bucks for a tip, they're going to. You can't really control that.

Tiffany618

Not me, I think it might have been Marissa.

Our bartender was part of our venue staff and we paid 20% gratuity on top of our total bill.  We didn't tip extra.

bsn1752

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_tipping-bartender?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:377e608c-d2c3-4797-894b-d0c1b69b4299Post:8994a0a2-18c8-42ca-8751-3d91c6a52194">Re: Tipping Bartender</a>:
[QUOTE]Not me, I think it might have been Marissa. Our bartender was part of our venue staff and we paid 20% gratuity on top of our total bill.  We didn't tip extra.
Posted by Tiffany618[/QUOTE]

Same thing with us... it's in the contract, 20% gratuituty of alcohol "sales" go to the bartender.  We have a pre-set amount of alcohol and have the ability to buy more the day of (if we run out and that will be my MIL/dad's job, if it happens).  With the alcohol we've pre-purchased, it'll be $220.

bobbileighb

We are planning on putting a sign/menu at the bar that says the following drinks are hosted by the bride and groom then we will list what we will have available ( our venue is BYOB so what we serve is all that is available) and at the bottom it will say something to the tune of gratuity included. Eat, drink and be married.

FebDallasBride

When we do any kind of hosted bar at our venue, I tell my bartenders not to put out a tip jar, as it is automatically added to the tab. Some venues are very strict on this, whereas others are lax. I know I've had some clients get very upset knowing they were tipping on top and STILL seeing a tip jar out.

I would definitely let guests know that certain drinks are hosted by you, but the others will be on a cash bar basis. If they are ordering something from the cash bar, this should be left at their discretion as to tip or not since that drink won't be costed into the overall event price. Just my 2 cents...

AmberMarieTX

I will know my bartender personally so I will just tell him not to put a tip jar out. I plan on paying him on the side with an agreed amount, with the knowledge of him not having a tip jar out. If someone wants to give him money, that's fine, but I will let him know to graciously decline from someone if they try to do it again or something so they don't feel obligated to do it everytime.