15 - 18% vs. 20 - 25%
Gratuity adds up. If you want to be the type of bartender who believes that making a good drink is all you need to do your job properly, then you should also accept the fact that, if you’re lucky, you will only average 15 - 18% of your total sales in tips. That means that if you were to have $500 in sales, you would make between $ 75 - $ 90 in tips.
This is why it’s important to be more than just a server of drinks. If you rang the same amount and looked at the value of each person coming in and realizing that they are there for the cameradarie of the other clientele, including you, you would make between 20 - 25% in tips. So what, you say?! Well, consider this. That would mean that instead of making between $75 - $90, you would be pulling in between $100 - $125 per shift! That’s a swing of $25 - $35 more per shift. And believe me when I tell you that your sales at the end of the night will be much more than $500 per shift if you are a true bartender. But, just so we keep it simple, let’s keep it simple by keeping it at $500 in sales.
If you were to look at this on an hourly basis, and you average eight hours per shift, just being somewhat entertaining behind the bar vs. someone who just pours a drink gives you $3 - $5 an hour raise. If you were to look at that on a weekly basis, working an average of 35 hours per week, you are looking at an additional $105 - $175 per week in take-home money! That’s like working an additional shift without even working; all because you payed attention to you customers! Wow…what a revolution!
In all seriousness, if every bartender was to look at the true fundamentals of bartending and practice them, there would be a lot less turn over and a lot more money being made in this industry. People in the industry have used the excuse of the abundance of laws and cost as the death of the bar business as we used to know it. However, I am a true believer that this is only a small portion as to why we have seen such a slow down. It also has to do with the type of attitude behind the bar. If you show you want the business to come in, it will. It is up to you to make this happen.
And the percentage of tips vs. sales will let you know if you’re doing it the right way!
show us an example of how to and how not to tend to the public in order to make more tips if you can act it out it would really help in my development thanks i really like you like your you tube videos
Hi Stephan!
Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to this. I, quite honestly, took some time off from these projects due to the lack of responce I’ve been getting from them. I appreciate you taking the time to look at everything we’re doing.
In regards to your request, here are some things you can do to see your tips increase:
1. Every individual you have contact with at the bar should be considered your number one customer. Bartenders tend to get so focused on quantity over quality, they forget what their main purpose is as someone serving the public. We are there to satisfy the needs and wants of each individual coming into the establishment. Make sure you take the time to ask how the customer is doing. You are not only there to fill a glass. You are there to be a friend to all those who come through the doors. Your job is not done once you pour them a drink.
2. Be an entertainer by having conversation with the bar. Start conversations with strangers, so they can begin the mingling process in your bar. Once a customer has the comfort of knowing they belong, they will be more apt to have a good time. This will ensure more in regards of a tip.
3. Mixology is only a small portion of what your job entails. When you really take a deeper look on how often you need to know how to pour more than a beer or wine, you will realize that to make more in tips means you have to be a maestro to a room. Remember that you must be able to get along with many personalities at the same time to ensure complete satisfaction.
4. Be yourself and enjoy where you are at that moment. Don’t show that you are looking at the clock every five minutes waiting for your shift to end. This is a huge turnoff to those who are coming in to visit you while you’re working.
If you are just getting started in this line of work, I highly recommend you getting my book, “Extra Dry, with a Twist: An Insider’s Guide to Bartending”. This will give you the foundation you’ll need to be very successful in this occupation. You can get this anywhere books are sold online, (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.)
Please, keep me updated on how everything’s going with you. I look forward to talking with you soon. If you have any questions that you would like answered, feel free to call me at 330.322.1325. I am only available during the day. Still working nights doing what I love to do most.
All the Best,
Shaun P. Daugherty