How Much to Tip Bartender
Tip your bartender 15-25%. Tip bartenders $1-$2 per drink for simple orders (beer, wine) or 18-25% of the tab for cocktails and complex orders. When running a tab, tip 20% of the total at the end.
Recommended Tip
15–25%
of the service total
Bartender Tip Amounts by Bill Size
| Bill | 15% Tip | 20% Tip | 25% Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| $8.00 | $1.20 | $1.60 | $2.00 |
| $15.00 | $2.25 | $3.00 | $3.75 |
| $25.00 | $3.75 | $5.00 | $6.25 |
| $40.00 | $6.00 | $8.00 | $10.00 |
| $60.00 | $9.00 | $12.00 | $15.00 |
| $100.00 | $15.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 |
Bartender Tipping Etiquette
- +$1-$2 per beer or glass of wine
- +$2-$3 per cocktail
- +18-25% on a full tab
- +Tip more for complex craft cocktails
- +Tip on the first round to get better service all night
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you tip a bartender?
Tip bartenders $1-$2 per simple drink (beer, wine) or 18-25% of the total tab for cocktails. For a $50 bar tab, tip $9-$12.50. Tip on the first drink to establish good rapport for the night.
Do you tip a bartender for every drink?
For cash transactions, tip $1-$2 per drink as you go. If running a tab, tip 18-25% of the total at the end. Either method is acceptable — just don't skip the tip entirely.
How much do you tip for a cocktail?
Tip $2-$3 per craft cocktail, or 20-25% if it's a complex drink that requires skill and time. Bartenders who make great cocktails are skilled professionals — tip reflects the quality of the work.
Need to Split a Tip?
Use our free tip calculator to split any bill with tax and tip between any number of people.
Open Tip Calculator