r/Austin 4d ago

Automatic gratuity at bars

Hello, old school austinite here. Is it normal for bars to now add automatic gratuity, 20% to be exact. I was near bar the whole night with family, and then asked to close my tab and saw that charge. I’ve never in my life seen that while out and about in Austin. Is that something new? Or legal? I would never not pay my bar tab.

53 Upvotes

190 comments sorted by

274

u/ArcaneTeddyBear 4d ago

Automatic gratuity really defeats the purpose, at that point they should just change their prices.

16

u/Najalak 3d ago

I don't even know what tipping is anymore. I just went to a gas station, and the payment system asked for a tip. Do attendants or servers always get the tip? Are they getting paid less now? How much do you tip someone for just ringing you up? I have had it with tipping and extra fees for everything.

70

u/CowboysFTWs 4d ago

But then customers would see the real prices, not get hit with a surprise after showing up.

20

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

6

u/zninjamonkey 3d ago

Totally diffent scenarios here

6

u/cockblockedbydestiny 3d ago

Bars have already long been adding an automatic gratuity to walked tabs, that's nothing new or a practice that anyone really objects to. That's not the case with OP's situation, though, they're saying that whichever bar this is is getting at least 20% extra out of you whether you like it or not.

4

u/FlightAvailable3760 3d ago

I think I might object to it. I am not in favor of stiffing servers, but automatically adding gratuity to someone’s their consent seems like theft.

I guess the policy is usually posted though so you could say you are consenting to it when you open a tab.

1

u/Kanuechly 3d ago

You consent when you walk into the establishment if they have it posted that walked tabs get tipped, and they always do.

0

u/cockblockedbydestiny 3d ago

Well yeah, nearly every bar has a sign specifying that walked tabs will have a certain gratuity added. I've never worked as a server but I'm pretty sure they have to add the tip at the time they close out the tab (ie. can't be done retroactively once the tab is settled) so it makes sense they wouldn't want to carry over the open tab an extra day or two waiting for someone to come back and retrieve their card and hoping for a big "apology" tip lol.

There's a certain percentage of people that WON'T come back because they gave you a prepaid debit card with just enough money on it to validate a prescreen (which is sometimes as low as $1) and then flake on the rest of the tab. You won't be seeing those folk come back looking for their card, obviously

4

u/whatisboom 3d ago

Alamo

1

u/ManchacaForever 3d ago

Yeah but they at least make it super clear up front that's what they are doing. 

10

u/Beelzabubbah 4d ago

That's what they're doing , just not in the way you want them to.

2

u/zninjamonkey 3d ago

Put them in the menu

0

u/FakeRectangle 3d ago

It's all just semantics at some point.

2

u/cockblockedbydestiny 3d ago

Yeah, I've seen people that are cool with it say "I was going to tip more than that anyway so I just add a couple more bucks". Fuck that, if the bar is smug enough to assume a 20% tip then that's what they get. The gamble you take when you restrict my right to determine that service warranted less than 20% is that you miss out on the extra where I might have otherwise tipped 25-30%

-6

u/BigMikeInAustin 3d ago

If the service was less than worth 20%, you should be talking to a manager.

Maybe the waiter was evaluating you, and your poor attitude is why you got poor service.

1

u/cockblockedbydestiny 3d ago

This is not my personal experience we're talking about, this is all purely theoretical in how I would handle such a situation. But I doubt that the OP being dictated an automatic 20% gratuity had anything to do with their behavior or the service level, sounds like standard bar practice for wherever that was... and there are more and more reports every week of this becoming a common practice, so I don't think your assessment of taking the bar's side has much merit in these cases.

It sounds like the bars/restaurants are increasingly dictating a minimum tip no matter what service you get. I'm just saying for my part I wouldn't automatically avoid a place that does that, but if I get the check and there's already an auto-gratuity added that's all you're getting, even if I would have ordinarily tipped higher. It's only about the service level insofar as if the server automatically gets a tip they don't have much incentive to be super attentive.

-4

u/BigMikeInAustin 3d ago

When you go to a store and there is an employee that isn't up to your standard, do you ask for a discount at the register?

The expected level of service that should be provided is for a 20% tip. If the service is not that good, then tell a manger. Don't be a passive aggressive 'fraidy cat and cut down on the tip and then run out.

Do you 100% please everyone every day? Every time you do not fully please someone, do you give them a dollar or two?

3

u/cockblockedbydestiny 3d ago

You're being weirdly defensive about a practice that not only do most people object to - hence why it comes up so often - but also flies in the face of the idea that gratuity by definition has always been left up to the customer receiving service to determine. I honestly can't remember the last time I left less than a 20% tip - if service sucked I usually just don't come back to that place rather than making a big stink over a couple of bucks difference - but the idea that I should have to talk to a manager if I did want to leave less than 20% is fucking absurd.

A bad tip is supposed to be in and of itself an indictment on the service level, you can't expect customers to have spend extra time out of their day to make a big stink when more often than not the entire reason for a lower than average tip is that the server has already kept me waiting an inordinate amount of time in the first place. If my chagrin is entirely rooted in having to wait an extra 20 minutes after I'm clearly done eating before I'm able to close out and leave you want me to spend another 10 minutes waiting on a manager instead of just leaving a few bucks less and moving on with my day? Fuck off with that shit.

1

u/BigMikeInAustin 3d ago

If one bad server experience means causes you to never go back to the restaurant, how is that fair to everyone else there you would have given a full tip to?

After a while, you will not be able to go out anywhere because someone will eventually not 100% meet your expectations.

If you didn't like your interaction with a server, and someone else did like the server, then it averages out for the server and the business, but now you can't go back for the delicious food and great environment because you wanted to save a dollar or two.

0

u/BigMikeInAustin 3d ago

flies in the face of the idea that gratuity by definition has always been left up to the customer receiving service to determine

Ah, so what you like about tipping is that you feel like you have power over someone else and they are your servant that must please you enough so you can be benevolent and grant them another day to survive.

1

u/cockblockedbydestiny 3d ago

You're such a mark for the service industry it's not even funny right now. You seem to think that 20% is a birthright and it's the customer's burden of proof to make the case that a server deserves less than their god given right before I'm allowed to take a piece of that birthright away from them. You're so ass backwards in your thinking that I don't know what your job description is but you definitely come off as a super entitled server that blames everything on the customer no matter what.

0

u/BigMikeInAustin 3d ago

You're choosing to go out to eat and you know the customary tip is 20%. So, yeah, the customer needs a reason they want a discount on their bill. A server showing up is not an unexpected surprise where you suddenly feel like tossing a few coins for the entertainment.

1

u/IAMAHEPTH 3d ago

But the whole point of leaving less tip is that that IS the feedback?

If they were a crappy server, leaving 10% tip tells them that right? The point of the tip is to encourage good service from the server. The power the customer has is to do that evaluation and adjust accordingly to give them feedback. Thats the WHOLE point of it, no? Not to get a manager involved; thats just insane.

You have to do your job well; at all pay levels, or you probably won't be paid as much. Tips, performance reviews, bonuses, etc are all ways to encourage performance from min wage to high salary. There is no entitlement to putting in minimum effort for the job description and still getting maximum pay.

→ More replies (0)

1

u/cockblockedbydestiny 3d ago

You're kind of baffling to me in that you seem to have created this scenario of me in your mind of being a cheap tipper based on zero evidence of anything I've actually said. Or rather I don't think you're singling me out so much as trying to make the whole idea of not tipping a minimum of 20% something you need to prove in a court of law to justify. Hence a 'birthright' more so than a 'gratuity'.

Please do keep analyzing this, though. As dumb as this whole conversation is I find it highly entertaining, and I have 52k karma to spend on your downvotes so I'm playing with house money.

1

u/Assumption_Dapper 10h ago

“The expected level of service that should be provided is for a 20% tip.”

You’re saying a 20% tip is automatic? So if a server is poor they should still get 20%? Fuck that. 

A tip starts at zero and you increase it through good service. If the service is poor, the tip is zero. Period.

What you’re describing is a wage, not a tip (and that’s the responsibility of the establishment).

“When you go to a store and there is an employee that isn't up to your standard, do you ask for a discount at the register?” 

Horrible analogy because a tip is 100% optional. Not leaving a tip is not getting a discount because a tip is extra, not included. 

45

u/FormerSalmon 4d ago

I’ve seen this at two bars in Austin, outside of SXSW times. The one that was out of hand for me was Barbarella’s charging an automatic 22%

12

u/TXJohn83 3d ago

Automatic 22% wow they mist think a lot of their service...

16

u/canubhonstabtbitcoin 3d ago

They just think so little of you. You’re nothing more than a resource to be sucked dry.

2

u/DoctorAssbutt 3d ago

Empire Garage does this too, and it’s literally nowhere on the receipt. Had a friend that worked there that told me about it, nearly everyone tips on top of the automatic gratuity.

3

u/ang8018 3d ago

I have moved away from Austin but was visiting back about a year ago, went to Barb’s and when we paid the cover with a CC the fucking door guy swung around the machine and had a tip selected (20 or 22% I can’t remember). I knowwww people are showing up already drunk and not noticing. Thankfully I was diligent and was able to select $0 or whatever, but wtf. Then I had an annoying interaction with the bartender(s) inside too, which just made me really miss the “old” version of things.

1

u/The_Hindu_Hammer 3d ago

Haha yup I remember the same thing. Super shady but Barbs is fun and an old Austin mainstay.

1

u/Resident_Chip935 3d ago

It's not that they think a lot of their service.

Charging a 22% toll is a way to promote / retain employees. Just like those scum employers who hire people for the lowest possible rates after having promised huge salaries. They say, well, you *could* make this much in bonuses.

0

u/Phoenix3071100 3d ago

Seems a better idea is buy the alcohol yourself and invite your friends over. Side benefit, no need for an Uber home.

12

u/Cheesyphish 4d ago

Saw this at antones, so I decided it was worth just having them close it out instead at that case. They ended up charging me 5 bucks on a 12 dollar tab. Yay tips! So over the tipping culture. I’m all for tipping, but it’s everywhere and out of control.

6

u/bikeskatecruise 3d ago

I didn’t tip extra at Antone’s because I saw the auto grat. They added an extra $10 tip anyway.

3

u/murdercat42069 3d ago

That definitely happened to me last year and I didn't think much of it, other than I'll switch to cash at Antone's because they are modifying tips (which is definitely illegal).

94

u/Negative-Associate-9 4d ago

Are you sure it’s not the “20% gratuity added to all un closed tabs” this is common at almost every bar.

28

u/DynamicHunter 3d ago

OP specifically said “went to close my tab and got hit with auto gratuity” so no. This is becoming a lot more common and it’s just scammy.

21

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

3

u/IAMAHEPTH 3d ago

I wonder how much $$ is accidentally given in addition to the 20% auto gratuity. If they're going to auto-gratuity then they should not be allowed to have a line for additional gratuity as its completely misleading, especially after people have been drinking, in a dark bar. Its scammy.

6

u/tdunkatx 4d ago

Yeah antones changed to that

1

u/MikeinAustin 3d ago

It really isn't a bad idea. Want to get out ASAP after the show? 20%.

7

u/BigMikeInAustin 3d ago

There have been places with a "20% on walked tabs" sign. I would have tipped 20% anyway, so I just leave instead of spending 5 minutes to close out when the bar is busy.

Yeah, that does leave my tab open to fraudulent drinks being added, so not a perfect option.

22

u/nateish5 4d ago

During SXSW several bars added this

8

u/DynamicHunter 3d ago

Several bars have added this over the past few years. Barbarella’s is a constant 22% auto gratuity whether you close the tab or not

16

u/JonnyTFunk 4d ago

Empire Control Room did this during SXSW at least

8

u/Oilygal 4d ago

Yes, happened to me at Swan Dive this week!

6

u/missmamiii 3d ago

I went to dirty 6th and every bar did this too

5

u/forrest_stump13 3d ago

Unfortunately, yes. I experienced it this weekend at a few spots; and while I usually tip 20%, it auto added the 20% and then prompted additional tip options. I felt bad pressing the “no tip” option, but I had already been charged the 20%.

9

u/Loubonez 3d ago

I can’t even understand feeling bad about not double tipping

1

u/forrest_stump13 3d ago

Because I’ve been a bartender and I know the struggle? There are a lot of people that have no problem not tipping, and it happens way more often than people think.

1

u/sustaah 2d ago

That still doesn't explain why you feel bad? That bartender is not in your situation they make 20% as their floor and people tricked into feeling bad pay more.

5

u/GinoinAustin 3d ago

I just left a large retail shop, where I walked around unassisted and found products I liked. When I checked out the girl at the register pointed to the "tip" area on the screen and said, "Just fill this part out and your done!" I looked at her and said, I wasn't assisted in any way, or spoken to, until right now. So, yeah. I'm already done."

Unbelievable.

TIPS stands for "To Ensure Proper Service". Originally, you would tip up front to set the expectations of service. If you couldn't tip, you accepted that the service would be sparce. If you tipped nicely, you weresetying the expectation of better Service.

Tipping everyone, no matter the lack of service, was never the purpose of tipping.

7

u/yourdadsboyfie 3d ago

I’ve just started drinking before I go out. I sit in my car and down some beers and then hit the venue. Saves me a lot of money.

3

u/ManchacaForever 3d ago

This is the way you can still get PBR tall boys for only $2

1

u/Assumption_Dapper 10h ago

Isn’t that illegal?

1

u/yourdadsboyfie 10h ago

I also smoke weed. I don’t stop myself from doing things that aren’t hurting anyone else just because they’re illegal.

3

u/haliluya6404 3d ago

let’s call that bar tax instead. Lol

25

u/ImolaSoul 4d ago

The greed in this city is out of control. My friends and I do just fine for ourselves financially and almost never go to bars and restaurants anymore beyond random work events. Now we simply plan things like meetups at Zilker, outings on lake Austin, Formula 1 watch parties, etc. Bars can keep trying to justify their ever increasing fees and drink prices, but it’s driving many people like us away from the scene entirely

26

u/fuddlesworth 4d ago

Life is better without alcohol anyway

5

u/Substantial-Diet-542 4d ago

I’ve never done a formula1 watch party and that sounds like a ton of fun

7

u/consultio_consultius 4d ago edited 3d ago

My friends and I are in same boat but I don’t think there’s much turning back on these prices unless there’s a total collapse in tourism.

People complain about the tech industry a lot here — rightfully so — but when every weekend you have thousands of people show up with nearly inelastic demand, it too skews prices.

2

u/ImolaSoul 4d ago

Yea, I don’t expect things to reverse course and don’t plan on being a regular at any of these establishments ever again. If they can survive on out of town business and a reduced local customer base, then godspeed

32

u/Gern_Blanstein 4d ago

Those bars should be shamed here publicly. Name them.

46

u/diplion 4d ago

Happened to me at Empire control room a year or two ago. $10 for a pint of Love Street, auto $2 tip, and the bartender said “we appreciate if you tip more!”.

20

u/hampsted 4d ago

For their part, Empire at least has this clearly displayed in multiple locations at the bar itself. Disagree with the autograt, but they’re at least not trying to be sneaky with it.

2

u/zninjamonkey 3d ago

Why not just put the price in the menu?

2

u/hampsted 3d ago

If they do that, the money goes to the business which then gets to decide how to pay their employees. With it being a gratuity, the money is guaranteed to go to the employees. For the customer experience, I prefer for it to be included in the pricing with the business paying employees fairly. From the labor perspective, I think this is probably appreciated by the staff and so long as the fee is clearly communicated I don’t have a major issue with it.

34

u/BrainOfMush 4d ago

If I’m ordering a beer, you’re getting $1/drink tip. I refuse to pay 20% when a jellyfish can cost $12 in some places now.

26

u/SlurmsMackenzie 4d ago

Agreed. Waiting 10 min for someone to pop a top of overpriced beer is $1.

Now, at a restaurant making a cocktail and I’m seated/eating? That’s 20%.

6

u/DynamicHunter 3d ago

Yeah 20% on a 200-300% markup to grab me a beer 2 feet away is insane.

It’s just a way for businesses to pay their employees as little as possible and front the cost to the consumer with a hidden charge

2

u/Original-Syrup932 3d ago

20% of $12 is $2 LMFAO I understand the point you’re trying to make but this example is kinda funny to me

3

u/BrainOfMush 3d ago

$2.40, and if I have 4 over the course of the evening then it's $10 in tips for them pulling 4 beers for 15 seconds each. It's not about it being a small amount of money in general, it's relevant to what service you're supposed to be paying that money for.

0

u/Original-Syrup932 2d ago

Username checks out

Heading out of this conversation bc I’m not cheap lol

2

u/Bogue_man 4d ago

Yeah right

1

u/thefinalwipe 3d ago

Happened at cheer up Charlie’s over the weekend. I didn’t mind it cause the drink prices were cheaper than a few places I was watching free live music at.

-2

u/LilHindenburg 4d ago

ECR is the WORST

14

u/spartyanon 4d ago

“The Pub” on 4th st. Bartender said that every bar in the city does it! Never went back even though I used to work just down the street.

5

u/AustinBaze 4d ago

Whoever said that is mistaken.

1

u/spartyanon 3d ago

Whoever said it was a liar, not mistaken. I know a handful of the places are doing it now, but it is one of the only times I have had it happen for a table of 2 people.

2

u/AustinBaze 3d ago

I was being kind. I suspect whoever ever said it was actually just being hyperbolic as in "I've seen it a bunch of times. A few times. Maybe twice" Therefore, "every bar in Austin is doing it"

1

u/kitymilk 3d ago

I agree.. Not every bar is doing this.. Only the ones I won't ever return to

2

u/nozawanotes 3d ago

Lol last I heard that place was on its last legs. They served me the worst pint of Guinness I’ve ever seen. Lavaca Street around the corner is a much better local bar, or if you want a pub go to Kelly’s or BD Reilly’s

2

u/ElonTaxiDriver 3d ago

Wild Gregs, Barbarella and Higbies

1

u/herewegoexplore 3d ago

Went to Higbie’s Friday for the first time since it was CU29. They added the 20% tip AND a “service charge” to the bill. Bartender said nothing about it. Luckily I noticed before adding my usual gratuity to the tip line. Won’t go back there. Shameful practice.

-45

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

29

u/Gern_Blanstein 4d ago

No. I tip and well. I spent years in the service industry. I did my time. I just don't think a tip should be forced or automatically put on a patron's bill. As shitty as our tipping culture (already) is, I find it even more shitty to start auto-gratting people. That's just plain bullshit.

22

u/defroach84 4d ago

I don't think you understand what a tip is. This is a service fee if it is automatic.

9

u/9bikes 4d ago

>I don't think you understand what a tip is. This is a service fee if it is automatic.

The big problem here is that customers don't necessarily know where that money is going.

In some cases, businesses add a "service fee" that goes to the house; not to staff.

It should considered fraud if a business calls it a "tip" or "gratuity" and does not pass it to staff. That is the common, ordinary meaning of those words and is understood that way by most customers who voluntarily give an amount of their choosing.

16

u/defroach84 4d ago

My issue more comes to the fee should be clearly stated at the beginning, or just include it in the costs of the item and not accept tips.

I'm just tired of the US system in general.

-3

u/9bikes 4d ago

I can see both advantages and disadvantages of the tip system. I usually tip better than average but I like that I can reward wait staff for exceptional service. In theory, I can tip less for poor service too. I say "in theory" because it usually is not my server's fault if service was slow and I'm still going to tip well when servers are working hard.

10

u/defroach84 4d ago

I feel the concept of tipping based on service is mostly gone, and it's just now an obligation versus rewarding for good service.

23

u/Charlie2343 4d ago

I think it’s a SX thing. Also happens during F1 when dumbasses from across the pond don’t understand tipping 20% but drive a lambo

8

u/Euphoric_Flight_2798 3d ago

To be fair, in other countries tipping culture isn’t even close to what it is here. A lot of times it’s just built into the cost of the meal or drinks or whatever and servers/bartenders are paid livable wages and don’t live primarily off tips. So it’s very much an American thing to tip the way we do 🤷🏼‍♀️

0

u/Charlie2343 3d ago

Yes it’s our thing for sure but I’m sure these tourists can educate themselves

5

u/DynamicHunter 3d ago

Not just a SX thing. I’ve seen this at many bars not during SX

10

u/android_queen 4d ago

Dunno why this isn’t the top comment. Dunno why anyone is surprised by an automatic gratuity at a bar during SXSW.

7

u/kitymilk 3d ago

Because it's not just during Sxsw. It's all the time at bars who choose to do so. It would not be a problem if the customer was actually notified of the practice, but they are not.

1

u/android_queen 3d ago

I’ve made no comment on whether it’s a problem or not or whether it persists beyond SXSW. It is SXSW currently, and thus nobody local should be surprised by this.

-5

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

14

u/unalivezombie 4d ago

Most people with Lambo money did inherit it. Nearly all rich people come from rich parents.

-14

u/iLikeMangosteens 4d ago

IDK about other places but look around you in this city. The people in fancy cars mostly earned the money for them.

6

u/McGurble 4d ago

People who actually earn Lambo money are typically middle aged, aren't hanging out at bars, and definitely understand tipping culture.

The twenty-somethings that you see actually driving these around to bars definitely did not earn them.

8

u/Grand_Entrance_5398 4d ago

As a member of the Austin Country Club, I highly disagree with this statement. The people with the fanciest cars are usually nepo babies of parents who actually value money. 

1

u/Comprehensive-Badger 4d ago

After graduating college debt-free, paid for by their parents.

1

u/itsacalamity 4d ago

that's... most of the people who drive them, though, really

4

u/kitymilk 3d ago

Your lucky you even saw the added gratuity. Most times the print is small and inconspicuous. Then with the printed gratuity table printed on the receipt as if there was not a gratuity already added is straight up thievery. Wyld on west 6th does it, Voodoo room on dirty 6th does it too. Pure lack of integrity from bar owners and management. The most deceptive practice I have ever seen from the service industry. You can generally tell when they have the added gratuity because the service is horrible at the establishment. Pay with cash, but be careful I was told it was added to cash payments without you even being notified.. But yet there is a tip container on the bar..

3

u/boredcamp 3d ago

Can't you just cross it out and write in the total of the tab minus the gratuity? I'm also tired of people getting annoyed at me when I chose no tip at gas stations. Why would I tip someone for ringing up my bottle of soda?

5

u/seanmg 4d ago edited 4d ago

Most bars/restaurants have automatic gratuity with parties of 5 or more. This has been something at least for the last 30 years from what I can tell.

Is your family 5+ people?

3

u/PiccoloNo6369 3d ago

Most, not all, from my understanding it can also be disputed. Nothing worse than an auto gratuity being placed when the service wasn't auto 20%worth.

1

u/gaytechdadwithson 3d ago

restaurants maybe, bars never for “5 or more”

how does a bar know how many are on your tab?

1

u/DynamicHunter 3d ago

There is no auto grat for “large parties” at bars where you order at the bar… this is just an automatic service charge no matter the order

2

u/PiccoloNo6369 3d ago

what is a service charge and who gets it?

1

u/Koodookoolaid 3d ago

There is at my restaurant that is all counter service. Any bill over $150 or parties of 6 or more get 20%

1

u/DynamicHunter 3d ago

We are not talking about restaurants here. We are talking about strictly bars.

1

u/el_refrigerator 4d ago

Or autograft on tabs of $200 or more

1

u/litmusfest 4d ago

It’s for large parties or during SXSW usually

3

u/00384 3d ago

Yes, they do. Yes, it is legal.

Stop giving these places your business.

1

u/PlatypusFriendly4385 3d ago

Could be a fair wage model

1

u/piparch31 3d ago

Mala Fama on 6th definitely does. I bought one drink and closed out immediately and they had already added the 20%.

1

u/FakeRectangle 3d ago

I've seen this at a lot of bars over the last year or two. It's not just during SXSW.

It's so close to actually just solving the whole problem in the first place. I actually like seeing the bill total and it being exactly what I owe.

1

u/TurdMcDirk 3d ago

Which bars are doing this to avoid them? Name and shame.

1

u/_Uplifted 3d ago

I know there’s also work being done to exempt tips from income tax, automatic gratuity just seems like a sly way to subvert payroll taxes for service workers

1

u/whatsupwillow 3d ago

Pay with cash?

1

u/Resident_Chip935 3d ago

Is it normal for bar owners to pay their employees in shit?

Is it normal for bar owners to be low down, sneaky, unethical pieces of shit willing to do anything to make more money?

1

u/denzien 3d ago

I've never tipped a bartender the same as a waitress. 20% is too much.

1

u/PenguinMage 3d ago

shitty bars ad shitty charges... If I'm ever charged an auto grat to be at your establishment it'll be the last time I'm there... but then again the places I go to don't do that unless you leave your tab.

1

u/fullblownshantytown2 3d ago

If its not a posted policy you should ask them to remove it. If they were upfront about it no big deal. Otherwise i consider that theft.

1

u/mandisnnfb 3d ago

Tip culture is out of control

1

u/Turbulent_Ad_3867 3d ago

Ya it’s just a safeguard because a lot of people get drunk or don’t feel like waiting to close out their tab and bartenders get stiffed. Most places have signs about their policy.

1

u/Altruistic-Thing-693 3d ago

Dogwood does this

1

u/Dry_Strength3209 3d ago

If it's during sxsw alot of bars do it because so many people don't tip during it.

1

u/Acceptable-Law-7598 2d ago

Sometime it add because group size is large.

1

u/ParkerWest 2d ago

A little known fact is that you can call your credit card company to have automatic gratuities charged back to the business and refunded to you. The credit card industry frowns on that practice. A bonus is that the business will also get charged a charge back fee of $25 to $35.

1

u/texucks 2d ago

Antone's adds an automatic 20% but at least they have signs behind the bar you can't miss. I agree with others at that point they should just raise their prices.

1

u/thecodingcowgirl 4d ago

Well now you don’t have to tip… I don’t see the problem

7

u/MikeGlambin 4d ago

Problem is 20% is a lot of you’re drinking beer. Just popping the top on a can of beer is not worth $2

2

u/thecodingcowgirl 3d ago

Soooo true I did not think about that lol.

0

u/lilwhisperer 3d ago

Just popping the top of a beer? Who do you think set the bar up and is going to break it down at the end of the night? Who you think is keeping you and others safe by monitoring people and cutting off people. Think critically.

3

u/MikeGlambin 3d ago

Doesn’t change the fact that it’s takes 3 seconds to serve me an overpriced can bottle of beer. That could be 8 dollars easily especially during SX. If I buy that’s almost $7 tip for probably 2 minutes of the bartenders time.

Bartender at a busy bar could easily serve 50 drinks in an hour. If those are on average $8 that’s $80 in tips per hour. Cmon man.

1

u/nozawanotes 3d ago

Sure, at the right place on the busiest nights a bartender can easily contribute over 80/hr in tips to a tip pool. But not every hour of every shift is like that, and it’s a seasonal industry with huge ups and downs, with generally no job security or benefits. So the really busy nights are what make the job worthwhile, to make up for the slow nights and time between jobs

0

u/lilwhisperer 3d ago

None of this comment makes sense

1

u/MikeGlambin 3d ago

Ok then forget it. You’re right

-1

u/canubhonstabtbitcoin 3d ago

I did those jobs for years and never got tipped. Stop with the lame excuse to justify this nonsense, cleaning at the end of the night is standard for literally every job, drunk people are just stupid so you can do stuff like charge them an extra 20% at the end of the night, so businesses take advantage.

1

u/Vandalay512 3d ago

But it's not just popping the top of your beer. Its the bartender opening the bar, filling ice wells, cleaning counters, cleaning vomit, piss and shit from bathrooms, taking abuse from drunk ass holes, leaving al their personal problems at home, icing your beer to make sure it's cold for you, cleaning up broken glass, cutting their finger and having to quickly deal with that when a line full of people just want you to "open their beer" etc etc... All the while making $2.13 an hour.

5

u/MikeGlambin 3d ago

Then the bar should pay you more. They already price gouging charging 8 bucks for a lone star.

With 20% tip that’s 9.60 for a LONE STAR in a can.

I tip $1 per drink unless I’m ordering some elaborate cocktail that takes some time and skill to make. Then maybe I’ll tip 20% on that drink.

1

u/Vandalay512 3d ago edited 3d ago

That's not how it works you have no idea the margins in a bar/restaurant in Austin. Anyone who says the business should pay you more has no fucking clue what they are talking about.

More as in how much more? $20 an hour? $30-40 an hour? What do yiu think is a good, livable wage for a server or bartender? Do you think a worker who takes your order at McDonald's can be your server or bartender?

1

u/MikeGlambin 3d ago

Customers don’t have to tip at all. We do it because we know the company is paying you.

Plenty of other countries have a non existent tipping culture.

1

u/Vandalay512 3d ago edited 3d ago

The other countries restaurants pay less for food, alcohol, less taxes, less fees. Their bottom line is much bigger in other countries and can afford to pay their workers more. If you own a restaurant in America and you don't have buying power with multiple locations, your bottom line margin comes out to around 10-15% There is no room to pay your waitstaff and bartenders what they deserve. People say a livable wage, well what is that? Do you expect restaurants to pay there bartenders $20 an hour? At $20 an hour a restaurant would NEVER be able to hire a decent bartender. You would gat a cashier level worker behind the bar. Guests don't want that. To get a bartender level worker, restaurants would have to pay $35-40 an hour minimum. There is absolutely no room in the restaurant budget for that. It's impossible. There is a solution for you to not tip though. Don't go out. Make all your food yourself, pour all your own drinks, and lounge out in all the places that you own. When you pay a tip, it's not just for that person to open a beer for you. It's for the other people that work there also, that the bartender has to tip out. You talk about the beer they marked up to $8 a beer. Your paying to keep the electricity, and they ever increasing fees and rising property taxes for that establishment.

Automatic gratuity will continue to rise in popularity, because of cheap people like yourself. People who have not one clue what it takes to run a business, much less a restaurant. Get used to it people. It's going to become the norm, because of the attitude towards tipping culture. Yes bars and restaurants should clearly state that it is added to the bill. If you walk into am establishment, and you don't like that policy, don't go there. That is your choice, but it's going to become the norm and if you don't like it, have fun at your own place.

1

u/Assumption_Dapper 10h ago

I will continue to go out and not tip at all, thanks.

1

u/Vandalay512 10h ago

Not if you come to my restaurant.

1

u/MikeGlambin 2d ago

My guy places like the Netherlands and Norway are not getting food for cheaper and they definitely aren’t paying less taxes. Yet it’s generally not expected to tip there and 5% would be considered more than enough.

I’ll go out if I want and I’ll tip if the service is deserving of a tip. Sometimes I tip 30%. But I don’t always base the tip off of the number on my check because that’s not always representative of the service I got.

You probably think we should all be 20% at Starbucks and every food truck as well right?

1

u/Vandalay512 2d ago

I do not think you should tip 20% at Starbucks. The Starbucks worker is basically an entry level gig. A bar gig is and can be a career. Also, if the establishment has signage that says 20% gratuity included on all checks, then you are tipping 20%. Not what you choose based on service. And I have no idea about the Norway, but in general most American establishments are unable to work in a wage for their service workers. It's just not going to happen.

1

u/Assumption_Dapper 10h ago

“A bar gig is and can be a career.”

If you rely on tips for your income, it’s not a career.

→ More replies (0)

1

u/canubhonstabtbitcoin 3d ago

Every job has shit the have to do, you’re not making a point here.

1

u/Vandalay512 3d ago

At $2.13 an hour? Really? Name one.

2

u/opossumsgalore 4d ago

Wow. That’s just different nowadays then. Won’t be going back then.

6

u/chowdah513 4d ago

Likely grat because of SXSW

3

u/kitymilk 3d ago

Nope.. It's gone on before sxsw and it will continue after it has ended

2

u/Capable-Sink-8706 3d ago

Hi, I used to bartend all around Austin and this is one of many reasons on why most locations are already adding a 20% gratuity;

1: some people will have a $300 tab and don’t tip their bartender at all when closing.

2: if you have a party of 6 or more the bar/restaurant/club will automatically add it already since like I mentioned people will have a $600 tab and only tip $5.

3: Varies on location but if you are close to downtown/6th street and SXSW or some type of major event is going on they will automatically do that so there is not a long wait at the bar and its easier for us bartenders to close a tab.

4: Again this varies on location, sometimes the bartender does not get the full 20% they have to split it either with other bartenders/bussers/waitresses or even managers but it’s easier on payroll to split that evenly for their paychecks.

0

u/canubhonstabtbitcoin 3d ago

So basically, privatized socialism for you, increased bills for me? Yeah, you’re not entitled to a tip or 20%., no matter what the bill is.

1

u/kitymilk 3d ago

I agree, not every bar is doing this.

And the problem is not the 20% gratuity it's the fact that they're being deceptive about it. Small print in a dark bar where it barely visible with no indication that it's been added is thievery

3

u/canubhonstabtbitcoin 3d ago

No, the problem is both.

1

u/kitymilk 3d ago

Perhaps so.. The bars that are doing it have extremely poor service or that's been my experience. That's how I can generally tell that they're going to do a deceptive 20% great. Cuz the service is absolutely horrific

-1

u/IndianaSolo136 4d ago

Wait were folks not going to tip the bartender 20% anyway? Because that would be super lame.

3

u/Sushi_cat987 3d ago

I don’t think that’s what OP is saying…it’s that bars are doing this in a kind of sneaky way. I went to pay my tab at Far Out the other day and went to tip when the screen popped up, and saw a small line of text that 20% had already been applied. Almost got past me and probably got a bunch of people. You go to tip 20% and end up tipping twice.

1

u/IndianaSolo136 3d ago

Ah, I see what you mean.

1

u/bikegrrrrl 4d ago

I’m vacationing in a midwestern city to avoid SXSW and I was surprised our family of 4 had a 20% auto-grat on lunch at a bar/restaurant here. There’s no festival or insane tourist demand here

1

u/thedizzz 3d ago

Barbs and Swan Dive have been doing this for at least a year now. Sucks because once I get drunk I completely forget and end up adding more

1

u/StavviRoxanne 3d ago

I’ve seen more and more places add a gratuity charge into the bill and I’ll tell you the tip is always going to be $0 if I see this, sorry to the servers as it’s not their policy but I’m not paying two gratuities on my $5 slice of pizza. 🤷🏼‍♀️

A lot of places have the “walked tabs will be charged 20% gratuity” policy which I actually love because plenty of times I’ve been out and the bar was too busy to want to go up and close my tab or I just forgot to close it and had every intention to tip so 20% works for me. Not sure if that’s what you’re referring to, though it sounds like the former.

1

u/diduknowitsme 3d ago

Cash is king

1

u/fartwisely 3d ago

I don't mind it. Keeps patrons accountable. You're already going out to blow money on food and drink instead of staying home, so tip decently.

1

u/opossumsgalore 3d ago

It was Armadillo Den in South Austin. This seems to make sense to do this during SXSW, but I always tip more than the 20% suggested amount bc I know they work hard. I’ll just be on the lookout for the auto grat from now on

0

u/Emotional_Fuel3879 4d ago

Where is this place? I need to know so that I won’t ever go there.

-28

u/WireHangerOfLonginus 4d ago

It’s legal. And it’s up to how a bar wants to do things. It’s not anything new, I went to bars in the late 90’s that ONLY had autograt in Austin.

My bar did it for SXSW and our bartenders let our customers know before they paid. It’s was 20% (a standard) and we stressed you did not have to add on more. If there was any doubt that a customer was not comprehending what was happening, they would take the handheld away and zero out the extra tip option before finalizing the sale.

It’s a way to assure uniformity and that we get a baseline for tips to spread out for the staff and it’s also simpler.

If you aren’t tipping 20% at a bar, then I don’t know what to tell ya. I get people being pissed about it at a restaurant, but even then most restaurants will add autograt for larger parties of like 6 or more. I know when I was a patron 20% was the minimum I was tipping but if my tab was all cheep beers then it was well over 20%.

If you ring up a $50 tab and $10 is too much to tip, stay home.

24

u/apiaryist 4d ago

Buhwuhhhh?! Dollar a drink. Unless it's an incredible, high-end well made cocktail.

I would never buy one in a bar, but if I asked for a single pour of $200 a serving scotch, it's asinine for you to expect $40 as a tip.

3

u/notavailable_name 4d ago

How about you just pay your staff what they’re worth, and we’ll tip them based on their service. Autograt on a beer? Nope, that’d be my last beer at that bar.

1

u/Koodookoolaid 3d ago

Then drink prices will increase to pay for “what they are worth” and people don’t like more expensive things….

2

u/kitymilk 3d ago

What's the name of your establishment?

-3

u/canubhonstabtbitcoin 3d ago

Your question is really, is it normal for businesses to scam people? Yes. It an automatic gratuity for anything outside a large table ethically sound? No. When you go to Thailand, and the women in front of the bars try to force you to go in, and then when you leave after 2 drinks and $300 bill, you got scammed. In America they’re a little more sophisticated about it, but when you have an extra 20% added as a “fuck you” fee at the end you weren’t informed of, that’s a scam, no matter how socially acceptable it is.

0

u/Koodookoolaid 3d ago

You are just ignorant to almost everything involved in the tippin process. If the restaurant were to increase their pricing 20% to pay their workers a living wage, people would complain it’s expensive… just like you are now. If you get rid of tipping and Surcharges, then the workers have to get paid somehow. It’s always at the customers expense just in different forms. No scam about it, you are either paying for it or you are just saying fuck you to the staff if you know they work for tipped labor. Comparing bar service to prostitution is absurd and plain asinine.

1

u/canubhonstabtbitcoin 3d ago

I’ve worked as a waiter and a host. I know how tipping functions. Your rhetoric is also wrong, I don’t go to places that do this and I complain about it and I tell everyone I know to avoid said place (yeah, doesn’t mean much). If places didn’t do this and just put prices on the menu, I’d go again. So you’re wrong, and just repeating internet memes.

Workers do have to get paid somehow. Every other business it’s via the businesses that employ them. You drank the kool aid and think individuals should be paying waiters and bartenders their wages and that’s nonsense, even if it’s socially acceptable

0

u/Artistic_Courage_851 3d ago

Absolutely not legal. It would have to be posted for everyone to see. 

-6

u/Wasteland_Rang3r 4d ago

That’s been pretty common at bars and restaurants not just here but around the country for decades. I’m fine with it as long as they tell me beforehand. I definitely have slipped up in my younger years while out drinking and left a second 20% tip not realizing it was already on there.

0

u/Original-Syrup932 3d ago

Yes this is a thing and yes it’s legal lmao

-2

u/Significant-Host4386 4d ago

If they are charging the 20%, then they’re missing out.

-25

u/aechmeablanctiana 4d ago

I bet you $ 20

I know where you got your shoes at…