Bar buybacks

[jakethebake]

Is this an actual bar policy? Or is this like a tip the bartender instead of paying for the drink kinda thing?

[jakethebake]

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Rather than being any type of program (buy 4 get 1 free) it was more of a "thanks for your business" type thing. Take care of the regulars by giving them a free drink now and then.

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Sure, most places do that occasionally. This buyback thing sounds more regular though.

[hoopsie44]

[ QUOTE ]
Is this an actual bar policy? Or is this like a tip the bartender instead of paying for the drink kinda thing?

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No, this is actual bar policy and can determine what bar you go to. I remember in college saying " let's not go there they don't buy back enough". Many bartenders end up getting fired because they buy back way too many drinks attempting to get a larger tip from a grateful (and drunk) patron.

[chaas4747]

In Kansas it is actually illegal to give free drinks as a bartender. That being said, when I was bartending, and someone was a good tipper, the ratio was about 1 to 4.

[bosoxfan]

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Weird. I must be going to the wrong bars.

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I don't think this is the case.

[turnipmonster]

I rarely get buybacks in manhattan but it's standard in brooklyn. come to think of it, I did get several buybacks at kgb bar in manhattan the other night, but usually at jazz clubs they don't buyback (except for detour).

--turnipmonster

[nothumb]

I've never heard of this as an explicit practice, I tend to get a lot of free drinks though. But I know all the bartenders, so I'm not sure it counts.

Last time I went out in Manhattan I got some freebies too, but my first order was ten shots of JD, so I think I made a friend. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

NT

[jakethebake]

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Weird. I must be going to the wrong bars.

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I don't think this is the case.

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[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Rob Blackburn]

In my experiance its more prevelant in the NE, though I have gotten buybacks regularly at certain places in Atlanta, and Tampa. It seemed most of the places in the NE we went they all bought back. I haven't gotten one at a single place in Houston yet, but I don't go out like I used to.

My question is whats a good tip for a buyback, double the normal tip? triple?

I never got a set habit for it, I'd like to find the sweet spot where I don't look like a cheap ass, nor do I look like a overtipping jag off.

[jakethebake]

I used to tip a buck a beer plus w/e change. Then a few years ago I moved up to tipping the change + $1 or $2 every other beer. Recently I've just made it $2/beer.