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Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Booze Tipping on Drink Tickets
Posted by Brian Cook on Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 5:39 PM
I don’t understand Erdman’s problem with that bartender's old diatribe. It’s really quite simple: don’t order cheap domestic beer, microbrews, or drinks with more than a couple of ingredients, always have your money in hand but not visible to the bartender, and, last but not least, don’t talk. Simple rules, dude. Personally, my real issue with the author comes when they get around to the topic of free drinks for the band:
We know, we know, you're gonna be really famous, but you're not there yet, tiger. Tell us you're in the band and which band you're in. By the way, if you are in a band and get free/reduced drink prices, feel free to tip, as most bartenders are also in bands! It's not like we don't know how it is. Oh, and our bands will smoke your band.
The first time I read that, I thought it said “our bands will smoke out your band.” Cool! Fair trade! Oh wait…
Look, I generally dislike drink tickets or band tabs at the bar. As a touring musician, it’s preferable to just have a case of beer backstage. It can be a real pain in the ass to have to wait in line for a drink when you’ve left the merch table unattended or are trying to change your guitar strings before your set or are in the midst of any of the other random work-related things involved with playing a show. I know, I know; it’s a petty issue. Free booze is free booze and we get to drink while we “work.” But here’s the thing: drink tickets aren’t really free booze if you’re tipping on top. I’ve been on tours where my daily budget is four dollars. That’s four dollars a day to eat and drink on a six-week U.S. tour. In that scenario, a tip on a beer means giving up lunch.
The author of the original screed also likes to point out that most bartenders are in bands, too. Touché. But I’ve toured with many musicians who also work in venues and asked what the protocol is for tipping on a drink ticket. The answer, almost universally, is that it’s nice but certainly not expected. I’ve seen many of these same folks pull the apparently nefarious action of “apologizing for sucking” to the club’s bartender when using their drink tickets and reluctantly failing to tip on account of their dire financial situation. It makes me wonder if the author has ever actually been in a band that’s played outside of their hometown.
For the record, I always tip on drink tickets. But this anonymous disgruntled bartender kind of pissed me off by making it seem mandatory. So let’s put it to a vote:
2
@1: Unfortunately, you can't download booze.
I went with option three. I try to tip on free drinks, and it usually works out to getting an extra drink or two at the end of the night or the next time I'm at that venue, whether or not I'm even playing.
I went with option three. I try to tip on free drinks, and it usually works out to getting an extra drink or two at the end of the night or the next time I'm at that venue, whether or not I'm even playing.
3
Stay home if you're broke. Including tour. Leaving home broke is no ones problem other than your own. And yes I've toured, if no money, I went hungry. My choice.
4
@3 that didn't really answer the question. you can drink for free with drink tickets if you are broke. the question is about tipping. should you stay home if you can't tip, but can afford to live?
5
I'll usually use one to get a drink for a friend and ask them if they have a couple bucks so I can leave a tip.
6
How about: bartenders craft a way to include gratuity in the drink ticket? If restaurants can add a tip on for large parties, the technology to fix this problem must exist.
7
Tipping is part of living. I don't take a cab if I can't tip. I don't go out to a sit down restaurant if I can't tip.
9
The drinks aren't free for the band. They are a part of the band's negotiated compensation. Sometimes, the rider might provide that the club has the option of buying out meals and alcohol at a predetermined price.
Of course, a club is not generally going to take that deal if it has alcoholic beverages and food available on their premises, because it is cheaper for the club to just offer those items itself (because the club has already purchased them at wholesale price), rather than paying the band retail price to furnish those items on its own.
If the club opts not to provide the band with a case of beer backstage (or whatever), the bartender's beef should not be with the band members; it should be with club management for creating extra work for the bartender. Why should the band's negotiated compensation be diminished, because of a situation it has no control over?
I can appreciate the frustration of the bartender, because this does create extra work. But it seems like the hostility here is misplaced. Sure, if a band member is in a financial position to tip, that's definitely a cool thing to do. You'd hope that musicians would be more attuned to this stuff that most people. But I don't think the band member has violated an ethical rule by not tipping under the circumstances described (unless they are otherwise acting like an asshole).
Of course, a club is not generally going to take that deal if it has alcoholic beverages and food available on their premises, because it is cheaper for the club to just offer those items itself (because the club has already purchased them at wholesale price), rather than paying the band retail price to furnish those items on its own.
If the club opts not to provide the band with a case of beer backstage (or whatever), the bartender's beef should not be with the band members; it should be with club management for creating extra work for the bartender. Why should the band's negotiated compensation be diminished, because of a situation it has no control over?
I can appreciate the frustration of the bartender, because this does create extra work. But it seems like the hostility here is misplaced. Sure, if a band member is in a financial position to tip, that's definitely a cool thing to do. You'd hope that musicians would be more attuned to this stuff that most people. But I don't think the band member has violated an ethical rule by not tipping under the circumstances described (unless they are otherwise acting like an asshole).
11
#5 with the most obvious answer. If you are too broke to tip, you get a comped drink and sell it to someone and use that money to tip. Sorted.
As a performer, I feel like it's good karma to tip the bar. I even tip above what I would normally tip because, hey, it's free. Performers and bar staff are in the same boat, everyone eats if the night goes well and everyone starves if it doesn't. I don't see a need to take an us vs. them mentality.
As a performer, I feel like it's good karma to tip the bar. I even tip above what I would normally tip because, hey, it's free. Performers and bar staff are in the same boat, everyone eats if the night goes well and everyone starves if it doesn't. I don't see a need to take an us vs. them mentality.
12
I do usually tip when I have a drink ticket. It is the same as you knowing the bartender and you tip your friend cuz they gave you a free drink. The funhouse is the best because they have a green room with beer and on the weekends they will give you drink tickets and you get 15% off of drinks and beer in the back. Really, it's rude not to tip.
13
Bands bring traffic and traffic means more tips. Often this is for little to no money to the band. Drink tickets are part of their compensation.
Tipping is great but a band not coming out and playing a show because they can't afford to tip hurts everyone. Ordering some complex drink with a drink ticket then not tipping is one thing, but if all the bartender has to do is pop open a tall boy they can live without the dollar. The band is probably responsible for more people being there than the bartender.
Tipping is great but a band not coming out and playing a show because they can't afford to tip hurts everyone. Ordering some complex drink with a drink ticket then not tipping is one thing, but if all the bartender has to do is pop open a tall boy they can live without the dollar. The band is probably responsible for more people being there than the bartender.
14
$4 a day? Holy shit. If that's the kind of shit money the bar is paying you to profit from the people you draw, FUCK THE TIP. Christ, it's not like you're costing the bartender anything by not tipping.
In fact, I'd say you're morally entitled to grab the tip jar on your way out of that cheap ass drinking establishment.
In fact, I'd say you're morally entitled to grab the tip jar on your way out of that cheap ass drinking establishment.
15
I've been playing in bands locally and regionally for about 15 years now, and tip a buck (occasionally two) per drink very nearly without exception. I'd feel shitty not doing so, since the bartender is expending the same effort they would to get any other patron a drink, and when I'm "any other patron" I always tip a buck.
16
It's worth mentioning that my previous comment pertains to nearly every interaction I have on tour anyways. I treat it as a good filter for who I would actually want to be friends with. Of course sometimes it leads to incidents like The Great San Francisco Couch Debacle of March 2011, wherein I made some tagger kid cry. No remorse.
Look, while we're on the subject of tipping, I need to get something off my chest: unless you are my friend it's very unlikely you'll be getting a tip from me for popping the lid of a beer can. An action that generously takes about 15 seconds isn't worth a dollar. By that rate of pay, you're making $240/hr. Fuck that shit.
Look, while we're on the subject of tipping, I need to get something off my chest: unless you are my friend it's very unlikely you'll be getting a tip from me for popping the lid of a beer can. An action that generously takes about 15 seconds isn't worth a dollar. By that rate of pay, you're making $240/hr. Fuck that shit.
17
When you use a drink ticket, however you're being comped, you are keeping the bartender from waiting on other drinkers who are paying (upping their ring) and presumably tipping. You tip not for the drink, but for the bartender's time and attention. When I tended bar in joints that had this sort of thing going on, I guarantee you this: the guy in the band with his drink ticket who had a rep for not tipping got waited on ONLY when every paying/tipping customer was taken care of first. Want to get back to that merch table quickly? OK, tip.
18
Fuck this noise alltogether. Drink tickets/band beers are the only compensation I get from playing shows other thand the $30 from the door split between the band members. I'm doing a job and getting paid like shit. not once has a bartender ever tipped me for a good show. they haven't even bought any merch. this is a ridiculous debate to have. tip on that shit if you want but its not even close to required.
19
i completely agree w/11 AND 13 on this. we should tip drink tix... i ALWAYS do unless the bartender's an a-hole! totally understand also if times are REALLY tight and all you want is a tall boy... bartenders shouldn't be offended by not getting tips from the band/ dj/ performer for that
20
yes but not when that drink ticket is to open the tab on a can of pabst. drink tickets do not equal any drink. so yes on a well drink no on a can of beer.
22
If you can't afford to put a fucking dollar down for your server, you shouldn't be in a bar. I don't care how fabulous or important your band is. That's just embarrassing. You're not living on four dollars a day; you're living off the good graces of other people. Your fans like you because you're you, but the service people you work with are there because they're doing a job. Tip the man a dollar. A fucking dollar!
23
The tip should come at the end of the night in a bulk form after the band has been paid as a thank you for having us sort of thing. Most of the time the bar I'd doing the band a favor by giving them a place to stay and exposing their music to the bar's regular customers. Bands that do not promote well or are not particularly good should tip more for the opportunity and because their music probably chased out would be patrons.
24
If you're rude or take too long, no tip for you.
Otherwise, even for specials, I tend to tip a buck.
Don't like it?
Get another job where it isn't an issue.
Otherwise, even for specials, I tend to tip a buck.
Don't like it?
Get another job where it isn't an issue.
25
I hate our tipping culture. I get tipping a waiter that's gone out of his way to accomodate my needs. But someone pouring me a beer - how is that different from ordering a coke at Dicks? Or maybe I should start tipping the fast food employees too.
(and yes, I know tipping actually started in bars - basically as a bribe for faster service, and was paid before you got your drink. I think I'd be ok with that system - want to skip the line? drop money in the box)
(and yes, I know tipping actually started in bars - basically as a bribe for faster service, and was paid before you got your drink. I think I'd be ok with that system - want to skip the line? drop money in the box)
27
@22 whoah, dude. from the final paragraph: "For the record, I always tip on drink tickets."
now, a bit of honesty on my end: my $4-a-day tour was when i was 19 and didn't drink, so it wasn't really an issue. still, i've done many a tour where i was living off of $10 and i did drink. that was rough when it came to tipping. and in those cases, we often did as @23 mentioned and just tipped out a $20 at the end of the night.
@9 solid points. i think that's what's so frustrating. if there's a contractually agreed upon hospitality budget of, say, $100, then that's coming out of the band's payout. and if the contract asks for a case of beer but drink tickets are given out instead, how does that factor into the budget? i know what a case of High Life costs, but what is a drink ticket worth? if it's full bar price then we're talking a $20 case of beer vs. 24 $3-$4 drink tickets. that's kind of a bullshit move on the club's part as it eats away at the band's hospitality budget/split-point/profit margin and ultimately means the club is still profiting off of what is supposed to be "hospitality."
again, this isn't the bartender's fault, but i would expect the bartender to be a bit more understanding of why $1 for opening a beer that's essentially a pre-paid staff shift drink is kind of ridiculous.
now, a bit of honesty on my end: my $4-a-day tour was when i was 19 and didn't drink, so it wasn't really an issue. still, i've done many a tour where i was living off of $10 and i did drink. that was rough when it came to tipping. and in those cases, we often did as @23 mentioned and just tipped out a $20 at the end of the night.
@9 solid points. i think that's what's so frustrating. if there's a contractually agreed upon hospitality budget of, say, $100, then that's coming out of the band's payout. and if the contract asks for a case of beer but drink tickets are given out instead, how does that factor into the budget? i know what a case of High Life costs, but what is a drink ticket worth? if it's full bar price then we're talking a $20 case of beer vs. 24 $3-$4 drink tickets. that's kind of a bullshit move on the club's part as it eats away at the band's hospitality budget/split-point/profit margin and ultimately means the club is still profiting off of what is supposed to be "hospitality."
again, this isn't the bartender's fault, but i would expect the bartender to be a bit more understanding of why $1 for opening a beer that's essentially a pre-paid staff shift drink is kind of ridiculous.
29
@22
Ah, spoken like a person who has never been in a band, at least a touring one. Sorry, but not going to the bar isn't an option when that's where your show is booked. Sure, I'd love to play the Vera Project more often, but am willing to take what I can get. Most bars only give band members 2 drink tickets anyway. I'm built like a linebacker, so two drinks isn't really gonna impact my evening too much and I'll soon be paying out of pocket for my drinks, which I always tip on (discounting above mentioned criteria). Why is it necessary for me to tip on free drinks as well when I'm ultimately trying to make money?
Ah, spoken like a person who has never been in a band, at least a touring one. Sorry, but not going to the bar isn't an option when that's where your show is booked. Sure, I'd love to play the Vera Project more often, but am willing to take what I can get. Most bars only give band members 2 drink tickets anyway. I'm built like a linebacker, so two drinks isn't really gonna impact my evening too much and I'll soon be paying out of pocket for my drinks, which I always tip on (discounting above mentioned criteria). Why is it necessary for me to tip on free drinks as well when I'm ultimately trying to make money?
30
http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/d…
all of this back and forth on bars and etiquette, I think this is the end of the line for the discussion.
all of this back and forth on bars and etiquette, I think this is the end of the line for the discussion.
32
@22: No. If drink tickets are your compensation for services provided, you don't owe any fucking tip. That's like the old company-owned mining towns that paid laborers a shit salary and then took 50% of it back in rent for the company-owned shacks they had no choice but to sleep in.
If the bartender has a problem with this arrangement, take it up with the bar owner, not the band.
If the bartender has a problem with this arrangement, take it up with the bar owner, not the band.
33
@29, it's folks like you that make me glad I don't go to shows anymore. Not that I would ever have gone to a show by bands like yours. Entitlement much? Asshole behavior by goons at rock shows gets really old after a while.
Tip your server.
Tip your server.
35
@33
That was a stupid comment. You wouldn't go to a show anyway, but now you won't go see my band? Good. You're fed up with asshole rock attitudes, I'm fed up with the way square culture seems to be permeating into everything I enjoy. Some of us like sketchy situations and feeling uncomfortable sometimes. For the final record, I almost always tip on a drink (or else I feel gnawing guilt) but I think it's absolutely bullshit that tipping on every single drink be compulsory.
There's a real fine line between entitlement and a person putting their foot down on how and when they give gratuities when it's cutting into the money they're supposed to be making. Could some bartenders here please raise their hands and tell me how upset they'll be when they don't get $2 from me for my two free drinks, especially when I'm probably going to order another ten that I will tip on.
@34
Touché!
That was a stupid comment. You wouldn't go to a show anyway, but now you won't go see my band? Good. You're fed up with asshole rock attitudes, I'm fed up with the way square culture seems to be permeating into everything I enjoy. Some of us like sketchy situations and feeling uncomfortable sometimes. For the final record, I almost always tip on a drink (or else I feel gnawing guilt) but I think it's absolutely bullshit that tipping on every single drink be compulsory.
There's a real fine line between entitlement and a person putting their foot down on how and when they give gratuities when it's cutting into the money they're supposed to be making. Could some bartenders here please raise their hands and tell me how upset they'll be when they don't get $2 from me for my two free drinks, especially when I'm probably going to order another ten that I will tip on.
@34
Touché!
36
I'd hardly call the service at Than Bros standard for a restaurant, you know? After you order and then they bring the soup, do they ever return?
I've been rewarding their rudeness lately by stealing chop sticks and spoons. Kind of like an anti-tip.
I've been rewarding their rudeness lately by stealing chop sticks and spoons. Kind of like an anti-tip.
37
I always do tip on drink tickets, but it's sort of the same logic as one bartender tipping another bartender for opening a beer. Technically, you're both employees of the club, and I hadn't actually ever thought about it that way until now. That said, I'll likely continue to tip, because I'm Haley Joel Osment.
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