How much do you tip the bartender (as a guest?)

My FH always tips bartenders are weddings - I've told him that their tips are covered by the hosts but he insists on tipping anyway.

The bride and groom should cover the bartenders tip at the end of the evening. Please do not make or expect your guests to pay for anything

Tbh i usually don't at weddings.

I tip if there is a tip jar. My venue won't accept tips because we are paying the tip. Most weddings I've been to the bartender accepted tips.

Guests shouldn't have to open their wallets to get a drink

However a tip is totally optional and its not a reflection of the hosts being cheap

We always tipped the bartenders because they tend to notice and serve you better (and give a stronger drink)

The hosts are responsible for tipping the bartenders.

Usually around $20. But it all depends on service. We went to one where she saw us walking up and had our drinks pouring, and they ran out of the wine I was drinking and she put a bottle to the side for me. She got an additional $50

FH & I tip bartenders at weddings and if a guests chooses to, I don't see a problem with it since you're providing the alcohol for them.

@stephanie we will be tipping our bartenders at our own wedding. Nowhere will we ask or expect our guests to do so. This is strictly a post about being a guest at a wedding (as stated).

@RealLindseyO we will be tipping our bartenders at our own wedding.

To piggy back off OP, since we are obviously tipping our bartender, is it wrong to have a tip jar out? I just would hate for my guests to feel obligated to tip, thinking that's the only tips they'd receive.

Honestly, I can't say I've ever noticed if there was one at previous weddings I've been to.

We tip when we go, unless the couple tells us specifically that the bartender was pre-tipped. I give $5-10 for the first round because the bartender really takes care of me after that lol. Depending if we drink a lot, we'll tip $1 per drink after that (for open bar weddings).

The hosts might be responsible, but I'd feel like a creep if I didn't tip the bartenders. I usually tip a buck or two per drink.

@courthousecouple I do think sometimes people tip because they are unaware they will already be tipped by the hosts; however, I don't think it's necessary to leave a tip jar out. I think this puts more pressure on people. We always just hand the cash to the person, no jar needed.

@JustPlainCat exactly! FH thinks it's incredibly awkward not to tip even if he knows the hosts already did.

I agree, even if the couple tips and the 20% is included in the gratuity, anyone can tip the bartenders if they would like. I feel like in some cases, such as a buffet, then a lot of times the servers are doing way less work than the bartender, and yet he/she is getting the exact same tip.

So anyone who adds a little tip to the bartender is only showing his/her appreciation.

I also bartend weddings and a lot of ppl think that the gratuity they are being charged goes to the bartenders, or at least partially. We do not get any of it! We have a tip jar out and there have been maybe 2 occasions in the 3 seasons I worked there that the couple actually tipped us as well!

I am in the "Bride and Groom (or whom ever is paying the bar tab) pays the tip.

A friend of mine owns a small bartending service. I cringe overtime that I see the tacky tip jar on the bar.

Edit to respond to Ashley: Wow! Thats sucks, that the bartenders in your experience, are not getting the tips. That is awful! My friend, who owns the bartending service, is a small company. He does not add the gratuity (for himself and his one staffer) to the tab. I think that he should and not put out his tip jar. I can see where that could be different in a venue with their own bartenders.

I have never tipped at an open bar wedding. Properly compensating the staff is part of the host's responsibility. I would not allow a tip jar at my wedding. I don't want my guests to feel like they should be giving money when I will be properly tipping at the end.

I assume the hosts have covered the bartenders tip, but I think it's good to tip as well as a guest! I'm that person who never has cash on them, but DH always gives them a $20.

ETA: I've never seen a tip jar, DH will just hand it to them!

I don't recall ever seeing a tip jar at a wedding. I also don't recall any bartender ever saying "Sorry, I can't accept that" when I slide a couple of bucks across the bar.

My FH always tips the bartender, even at open bars without a tip jar. He says they make better drinks for you if you tip.