Open bar tipping

Since you are providing the bar, you should pay the tip (20%)

I'm generally an overtipper, but I disagree about automatically tipping 20% when it comes to alcohol -- I would do $1 per drink, as I would in a bar. Obviously, that's hard to figure out for open bar for a large number of people. I was going to assume 5 drinks per person, which would end up coming out to 16% gratuity. If I'm super impressed by the bartenders, I'll add to it beyond that. But definitely not having a tip jar out for guests to contribute.

Your guests should not be expected to tip the bartender at an event you are hosting. They shouldn't have to open their wallets for anythjng. Gratuties are your responsibility. I would say $150 per bartender is a good amount.

Edited for clarity.

I'd suggest adding a tip on at the end of the evening. How many bartenders are you having? They should each get an equal amount. As others said, don't depend on your guests since you're hosting the bar!

If a drink is $5, a 20% tip would be $1 dollar a drink. I do think an average bar drink probably is $5 or $6, so one dollar a drink would probably actually be less than 20%.

Hypothetical situation-

$4,000 would be enough for about 666 drinks. 150 people would be 4 or 5 drinks a person, which is pretty standard if you're trying to cover the whole reception. Probably 2 bartenders, so that would be $600-$800. So if you have a strict $4000, you'd need to cap closer to $3400 and a $600 tip.

At every wedding I go to (as in 150 a year), I see guests tipping the bartenders. It's just done.

That begin said, I'd tip them too.

I was going to say want Celia did. Every wedding I've been to with open bars, I see people giving tips. I plan on tipping my two bartenders myself. If my guests decide to tip them also, so be it.

I tipped personally last time I went to a wedding- but I like being well taken care of by the bartender- so I don't mind paying for it but I would have assumed if you hired someone- you would tip them.

I just noticed we actually do have a 20% tip added-so shouldn't bartenders refuse tips from guests if they're already getting a 20% tip up front.

I was wondering this myself. We are providing all the drinks but 2 bartenders come with our package with the venue. I didnt see any gratuity added onto our package so I didnt know what to do. Of Course I will tip them but I had no idea how much. Not to mention I see a lot of tip jars at weddings and I have always tipped them as a guest, its just the right thing to do, I think!

The important thing to find out is whether the 'gratuity' is their tip or their service charge that pays their salary.

I think the guests should still be allowed to tip. I always tip the bartenders at weddings and have never been turned down. That would be an awkward exchange.

Of course guests can still tip if they choose. That's their decision. However, they should not be prompted to tip (no tip jar on the bar) and the OP shouldn't be relying on guests to tip in lieu of proving her own. She is still responsibly for the gratuities at her event. Not all guests tip bartenders. And they should not be expected to.

Im with Celia! If you provided the open bar, it's okay for the guest to pay the tip. Every wedding I've been to I see a jar for tip. No one complains about it. No one "prompted" them to pay. your wedding, your way. *shrug shoulders*