I've never heard of the "50 cents" guideline, and I've always tipped bartenders 15 percent of the final bill.

That doesn't necessarily mean I'm doing it correctly, but I have to admit this is the first time I've even seen this issue discussed.

Toscana is a nice Italian restaurant. Keep in mind it's Tuscan-style Italian--heavy on the vegetables and grilling, short on the red sauce and meatballs. You won't find a chicken parm dinner here(for those, head to the North End). Still, it's a nice place.

50c per drink seems a bit light to be honest. I've never broken it down, but let's say I get three beers at $4 per, for a total of $12. I'd give the bartender $15. So i guess it's more like $1 a drink.

It's really based on percentage, much like food. So even $1 a drink is too light for a glass of wine or mixed drink. 15-20% is the rule of thumb. Fifty cents would be viewed as "cheap", so I wouldn't go there ever. Make it at least a dollar, even if the percentages indicate otherwse.

AlanM

It depends on your order but $1.00 per two drinks, should be fine, and is customary, when you order at the bar. Tipping is based on service so great service should indicate a better tip and poor service should indicate a smaller tip but most of us still just tip the 15-20% for any type of service (except for exceptional service).

Also, if you ask for a tab, then you can just tip the customary 15-20 % of the bill at the end of drinking and or eating. (One dollar bills are always nicer than 4 quarters- Americans are fonder of green then change. That is why we have a hard time accepting or using the one dollar coins.)

Keep in mind there are two restaurants with very similar names:

Toscano: On Charles Street, Beacon Hill: quite expensive, pretty good food but you’re paying more for the location and the very nice room.

Trattoria Toscana: in the Fenway area, much better food IMO, but MUCH simpler room, no reservations, tiny space.

I would never "start off" a night tipping a bartender $1 for two drinks. AT LEAST a dollar a drink, more if they're mixing something complicated. Later on, after I've tipped a bit, if they’re just grabbing a couple beers, not exactly hard work, yes then my tip rate goes down. If I run a tab from the beginning, I calculate 20%, but that could go up or down. Definitely never less than 15%.

I would not go by a strict percentage with bartenders. If I bought a $10 glass of wine I would probably give the bartender $1, if I bought a $5 glass of wine I would probably give him $1, too. Around a $1 a drink is about right, but this is somewhat flexible up or down depending on the circumstances and how much change is involved. Even 50 cents a drink might be OK sometimes. For example, if you were in a "downscale" bar or pub and ordered a couple of bottles of beer, a $1 tip, while not overly generous would not be completely out of line.

I have not been to Toscano's on Charles in 3 years. I have been here many times and always walked away very happy. If you are looking to have a few drinks before dinner, this would not be the place. I would have one at The Taj. From The Taj it is a nice 10 minute walk.

A big thankyou to everyone for taking the time to reply, it's much appreciated.

I suppose the tipping thing seems a bit of an odd question, but over here in Britain it's pretty much unheard of to tip bartenders, in fact I've never seen it done over the 17 years I've been drinking!. At least now I have an idea of what's considered an acceptable tip for when I visit. Given the feedback on Toscana's I think I'll book a table.

Thanks again for all your help