Do you tip at a gig?

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 1 Mar 2014 7:46 am

Just curious how non-drinking players approach tipping?
I quit drinking on Jan-1-2012.
Most of the bars I play in since then have a self-serve ice-water station set-up somewhere in the room, and I just drink water.
I find I don't get to know the bar tenders very much anymore, as they are busy, and I don't drink.
The lead singer often reminds the audience to tip.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 1 Mar 2014 10:37 am

Good question Pete.
Doesn't it make sense to simply do the best that you can do?

Instead of a church telling me that I MUST give ten percent, why not make the church so good

. . . that I'll WANT to give twenty percent?

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 1 Mar 2014 11:02 am

Again, just curious what others are doing if, as a Steel player (sideman), you don't drink or order anything from the Staff, and you are there to work, just like the staff, and your band also has a tip jar out because the club owners pay isn't enough on it's own (same reason folks know to tip the staff), and your singer is telling customers to tip the staff, do you still tip the staff?
I always bring a few bucks along for tipping if the situation comes up, but it doesn't always come up.
When I drank I used to tip two or three bucks on the first visit and buck per drink after that... T.I.P.S. - "To Insure Prompt Service" (like when the next set starts in 30sec and you need something from a busy Barkeep).

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 1 Mar 2014 11:06 am

None of the venues that I've played in have ever even anticipated a tip from the band. They would always see to it that we have our 'free' Pepsi..... and always kept it flowing for me.

I don't know about the guys that drank real brew.

On occasion the band leader would encourage the audience to be 'kind' to the servers and bar tenders.

The girls always gave the impression that they enjoyed treating the band members; or, at least ME!

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 1 Mar 2014 3:02 pm

YES, we tip the servers that are assigned to the band at the end of the night. They are working and they are primarily working for tips. Many of them have very good memory's as well, which can work for you or against you.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 1 Mar 2014 3:33 pm

I played a restaurant venue recently that had a special menu for the band with none of the pricey stuff. Right on the Band Menu it said "Don't forget to tip your server." Of course we did tip generously, but I wonder if any the servers put anything in our tip jar. After paying for gas, I'm sure that I made netted less than any of them for the night's work.

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 1 Mar 2014 4:05 pm

This is a topic, that, I never really gave much thought to. I've only worked several gigs at a restaurant, where we were served free food. Of course, we tipped our servers. It only seemed right to do so. I don't believe I have ever tipped a bartender. It wasn't a conscience effort on my part, just a thought that, he and I were working for the owner of the place and sort of working for the patrons, who, we're paying for the entertainment. My ex wife used to tend tables at a place where I played and took home more than I did sometimes. She worked for the tips and I worked for the straight salary. I don't know, maybe she should have tipped me. After all, I helped create the draw.
Realistically, it depends on how you feel about it. If you feel you have to tip, then do it. If not, let it go and don't worry about it.

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 2 Mar 2014 10:34 am

I always tip, and I mention I'm in the band. It's as much to see what the venues policy is on prices for band members, as it is to have the server make the connection of
Band = Tips. As mentioned before, good relations with the staff matters. I even tip at functions where no cash is transacted.
Sometimes I get a vibe of hostility towards the band from the servers. I think they may have a pre-conceived notion that we make more than them, which at a wedding or high dollar function , we likely do, and they resent it. They are there hours before and hours after. We stroll in, play music, get served,eat and drink and leave. We are often the focus of attention, they are not. Even though we are both working, we get applause and enjoy more of an artist/guest status.
In the bars, some, not all bartenders , hate the job, and you're just one more body. They can't be totally hostile to the patrons, but your not seen by them as a patron. I try to build an allegiance, but if they don't want to be friendly, no problem. If it's that hostile, I've been known to bring my own. I usually bring my own non alcoholic drink to the gig, it's easy enough to bring some hooch as well. I'm likely not the first country player to have a flask in his amp or steel seat.
Some of the places are downright predatory regarding sales to band members. Full priced drinks, which are high priced , to help pay for the band! They try to offset paying you by selling their high priced drinks. The servers don't set the policy, and I'll tip if I am served, but after one, I'm done. I'm there to make money, not spend it . Again, I'll bring my own if I care to, out of principal, but I'm discreet about it. Here in New Orleans, it's not illegal to bring liquor into a bar.
The smarter bartenders understand we are partners. Our crowd drinks hard, and they buy the band drinks as well. The Bartenders usually do very well with us. Im a moderate drinker, but I understand the need to move units . If someone offers a round, accept it. People who drink and have the means, enjoy it. You're helping the bar generate revenue, and earn tips.

Ken Campbell · Post by **Ken Campbell** » 2 Mar 2014 10:53 am

Always tip and a fair amount too. Compadres.....

Tim Fleming · Post by **Tim Fleming** » 2 Mar 2014 6:33 pm

I tip a buck a drink (alcohol or not) or 20%, whichever is more.
T

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 4 Mar 2014 7:05 am

Question

If tipping is just shy of required on-the-job behavior, then can it be taken as yet another expense like gasoline?

For the record, I definitely tip good service but sometimes wonder why the cost of everything else has gone up when, for the most part, musician's wages haven't changed all that much compared to decades ago.

But maybe that's a topic for another post.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 4 Mar 2014 10:06 am

Everybody likes a waitress with big tips.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 4 Mar 2014 11:57 am

I always tip 20% of the normal charge whether it's a "freebie" or not. If I'm just drinking H2O or pop, I make a point of giving the waitress a $5 tip at the beginning of the evening and let her know that will cover my total TIPs for the night.

Having the staff "in your corner" helps w/ future service and gigs. Most audience members see and speak w/ their waitress more often during evening than they do with band members. I like to give the serving staff another reason to compliment the band.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 4 Mar 2014 4:06 pm

Anyone remember that old Dee Mullins song: "Love Makes The World Go 'Round but It's Money That Greases The Wheels?

Some people don't get it. Tony Glassman "Get's It".

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

David Shepack · Post by **David Shepack** » 5 Mar 2014 9:10 am

I agree with you all. But on the other hand, at most of my gigs, the bartenders make as much as the whole band. The servers make more than me. The servers invest in a white shirt and a bow tie. I bring in $10K worth of equipment. I have had bartenders and servers tell me that they have their best nights when my band plays. I tip but we rarely drink much.

Dylan Keating · Post by **Dylan Keating** » 5 Mar 2014 1:17 pm

I know a lot of people who work serving/bartending at live venues here in Calgary and have heard them complain about touring bands who are rude to them or don't tip. Often they will complain to the bar owners about this. I don't think whether or not you tip will make or break if you get asked to play again but it won't help your chances to be cheap to your server. Bar staff talk amongst eachother and most of the time it makes it's way back to whoever owns the venue. I try my best to still tip 15-20% if my bill is comped or discounted. I think it's worth it in the long run.

Clete Ritta · Post by **Clete Ritta** » 5 Mar 2014 7:56 pm

Always.
I quit drinking last year, but still like to leave them a tip at the end of the night.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 11 Mar 2014 5:45 pm

I ALWAYS tip,ESPECIALLY when the food/drinks are free!! "TIP" is an acronym meaning,"To Insure Promptness".

Bill L. Wilson · Post by **Bill L. Wilson** » 11 Mar 2014 8:54 pm

I've never tipped in a bar, that I'm playing in. I only drink 1or2 free cokes, and most of the time, carry my own well water from home. The guys I play with, all drink beer, and whiskey, so I guess they tip. I do know that they have to pay full price for drinks. Seems like a big waste to me, by the time I drive 280mi. round trip, and get home@4:30am, with the few bucks I do make, I'd like to think, I made a little more than breaking even. Although, I'd probably do it, just cause it's fun to play.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Do you tip at a gig?

Interesting insight............

Tip

Always

No Tipping.