Tipping at a bar around the world
Tipping at a bar is customary in 7 of the 15 countries we track, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and 3 more. In the United States, $1–$2 per drink, or 18–20% on a tab. It is unusual or unwelcome in the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and 1 more.
Bars, pubs, and lounges with drink service. Customs vary widely — here is what to expect country by country.
Europe
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Unusual | £0 — or offer "one for yourself" (~£1) |
| 🇫🇷France | Optional | Round up or leave 50¢–€1 per drink at the bar |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Optional | Round up to the nearest euro; €1 per cocktail at craft cocktail bars |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Optional | No tip at standing bars; €1–2 per cocktail at craft cocktail bars |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Appreciated | Round up by 50¢–€1 per drink |
North America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Expected | $1–$2 per drink, or 18–20% on a tab |
| 🇨🇦Canada | Expected | $1–$2 per drink at the bar, or 15–20% on a tab |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Expected | 20 MXN per drink, or 10–15% on a tab |
Asia
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japan | Unusual | ¥0 — but expect a seating charge (otoshi) |
| 🇨🇳China | Optional | ¥0 at local bars; ¥10–20 at high-end Western cocktail bars |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | Unusual | ₩0 |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | Appreciated | Round up to nearest ฿100, or ฿20–50 per round |
Oceania
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | Unusual | Generally nothing; offer to "buy them a drink" for great service |
South America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Expected | 10% serviço on the bill at most botecos; round up at the counter |
Middle East
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates | Expected | AED 10–20 per round, or 10–15% on a tab |
Tipping at a bar: common questions
Do you tip at a bar?
It depends on the country. Tipping at a bar is expected or appreciated in 7 of the 15 countries we track — including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, and 2 more — and is unusual in the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and 1 more.
How much do you tip at a bar?
In the United States, $1–$2 per drink, or 18–20% on a tab. Across all countries the usual range is 10–20% of the bill. Amounts vary by country — see the table above for each one.
Which countries expect you to tip at a bar?
A tip is genuinely expected in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates. In these countries staff often rely on tips as part of their income.
Where should you not tip at a bar?
Tipping at a bar is unusual or can cause awkwardness in the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. A polite thank-you is enough.
Should you tip at a bar in cash or by card?
Cash is the safer choice in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and 5 more, where card tips may not reach staff. Elsewhere adding the tip to a card payment is normally fine.