Tipping question regarding bartenders with tip jars

I would take care of their tip and not have them put out tip jars.

I would just not allow the tip jars. It doesn't look good, IMO. I am tipping 20% of my bar tab specifically because I will NOT have those things out.

You shouldn't put out tip jars. The guests who want to tip will regardless, but putting out a jar signals that you (as the host) will not be tipping your employees and you're passing that responsibility onto your guests. It's just wrong. Lose the tip jar and tip the bartenders yourself. We gave each of our bartenders $200 cause they were phenomenal.

I'm trying to decide the same thing with the same situation. I'm going to tip the bartender for sure. I think I'll allow them to keep a jar behind the counter should someone just leave a tip but not out like they're asking.

No tip jars, you pay the tip. Your guests shouldn't feel any pressure to open their wallets at your event.

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I'm having a small wedding that is 90% my family, no one is going to be thinking that. The tip jars were not my idea, the caterer supplies the bartenders and they asked if it would be OK. I don't see anything wrong with it.

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Yes, exactly.

You shouldn't allow them to put out a tip jar. You are responsible for tipping. Not your guests.

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That's fine that you don't see anything wrong with it, but you asked a question and 99% of the respondents said it's uncouth to put out a tip jar.

But of course your guests won't care....

Our venue usually has the bartenders put out tip jars, but we’ll be asking them not to for our wedding. I think it’s tacky. We’ll take care of the gratuity at the end of the night.

What is worse than a tip jar sitting out? No tip jar behind the counter and money sitting on a pile on the counter. Recently saw this at a wedding and that to me was worse than anything. Maybe have them put the jar behind the counter so if anyone tips they can put it in the jar. I have never gone to a wedding and not given a tip because I think it is polite.

Around here, it’s really common to have a full, top-shelf open bar and tip jars. I HATE it. There have been times where I haven’t had cash on me at weddings and then I feel like a jerk for not tipping. If I do have cash, I never know what a reasonable amount to tip is. It’s just uncomfortable for me as a guest after you’ve gone out of your way to treat me well and pay for the nice open bar.

Yeah I'm curious about this as well. my venue adds an %18 gratuity to the bar tab and requires a tip jar be out unless we pay an additional $300 tip per bar tender!

I am in the same situation, we will have 3 bartenders but all the alcohol is supplied by us so no tab at the end of the night. I am thinking we will probably tip them each $50-100 depending on how well they service our guests and manage our lines. We are allowing them to put a tip jar out too. I never feel "pressured" to tip when I see one at a wedding. I tip occasionally if I have cash on me, and if I feel like the bartender went above and beyond (this is only at a wedding though, I always tip at bars & restaurants).

We have made it very clear to our venue that no tip jar is to be placed on the bar at all. To us, that implies to our guests that they are expected to tip.

I don't look down on anyone who chooses to allow a tip jar, it's just not something I want to see at an event I am hosting.

We will make it clear to the bartenders though that they are welcome to accept any tips that are offered. My husband and I always tip bartenders at weddings whether the jar is there or not - it's just what we do.

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What the heck?!?

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I would say that sounds about right for how much I make bartending weddings. People tend to be really generous when they aren't paying for drinks and getting tipsy. I usually make 400-500 in tips and that is after splitting tips with other bartenders/barbacks. If I didn't make that much I wouldn't put up with bartending and the massive liability I take on when I bartend.

View Quoted Comment I understand that but %18 gratuity immensely exceedes $300
Why should I pay the inflated price of alcohol so the venue makes money and gratuity so the bartender makes money and a tip??
From my experience serving, gratuity is added to a large tab so that the server isnt shorted on a tip. Thats understandable. I would even tip for a job very well done but I should not be requiered to tip in addition to gratuity

View Quoted Comment Right?!?!?!

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Because I never make just 18% gratuity. That 18% is there as a buffer to make sure I make minimum wage as a bartender and don't get totally stiffed, but if I only make 18% then I'm not bartending. Granted the place I work at does a true open bar - not consumption - but if I were to do the quick math based on number of cocktails I make, I am usually making $2-3/drink in tip money that gets split between everyone (way more than 18%). Remember, when a bartender works they are taking on the legal responsibility for every single person there. If someone were to leave that bar and then walk off a cliff because they were drunk, then the bartender can and usually is held liable. I am from the northeast which is more expensive, but again, if someone offered me only an 18% tip - I'd never work for them again as it isn't worth my time and liability. (If my boss actually paid me the equivalent in pay - that would be another story)