Nightlife wouldn’t be complete without the bartender or “mixologist,” as we like to call ourselves. But even with the name holding so much responsibility, why does it seem like we can never catch a break in the college market?
Drinkers need to understand that bartenders are not the richest people in the world. The hourly pay of a bartender isn’t even minimum wage. Most bartenders work for about a little more than $4 an hour. This means that you need to tip. Even more so, bartenders deserve to be tipped.
Just because the club or lounge is offering a drink special doesn’t mean your tip needs to be dismissed. If the bar was offering two-for-one drinks for $7, know that a $2 or $3 tip would be greatly appreciated.
Bartenders notice when patrons don’t tip, which could result in being served last at the bar. Or, if served at all, the drinker could receive a subpar drink.
“Two things I hate about being a bartender are customers who call my name from across the bar and people who don’t tip,” said Jasmine Clemons, a bartender at Top Flite nightclub. “Especially people who don’t tip.”
Those friends you barely talk to but are sure to show their face and yell your name when they notice you behind the bar is one thing many bartenders hate. Wait, stop right there. Don’t pull me over to ask me to “hook you up.”
I know your type. You’re the type of customer who came in the club before 11 p.m. to get in free and try to scam your way to a free drink. On top of that, you want me jeopardize my job to pour you a drink half-full of top shelf liquor. This customer thinks saying “Thanks girl, you look good” is a sufficient tip. Realize that you’ve been labeled as the “wave and get back to work patron.” Don’t be alarmed if you’re left at the bar thirsty and lonely.
College students are the worst when it comes to the proper treatment in a bar exchange. People can understand if you’re living off financial aid with a minimum wage job. But maybe you shouldn’t be the one buying drinks in the club. Please don’t come to the bar and ask how much is “blah blah” and “so and so.”
This automatically sends a signal to a bartender to not expect much from you. If you want to know a price, the local convenient store has price tags in front and on all bottles of alcohol for your viewing pleasure. This is not a garage sale. Bartenders aren’t here to barter a top shelf price down to a well liquor price.
In the words of my mother, “If you have to ask how much it costs at the bar, then you obviously cannot afford that drink.”