I was a bartender for almost a decade. Here are the techniques I used to land bigger tips — and the people I tried to avoid serving.

Wed, 11/15/2023 - 05:05

a bartender pours a drink — Starr Douglas was a bartender for almost a decade.
Courtesy of Starr Douglas

Starr Douglas is a former bartender and the founder of a hospitality hiring platform.
She describes ways to encourage a large tip from customers — and people to watch out for.
She suggests performing while making a cocktail and engaging with customers so they feel special.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Starr Douglas, a former bartender who founded FrontHouz. The following has been edited for length and clarity.