The Waitress and auto tip dilemma

[iamkhai]

So now that my trip is done and the guys and I have collectively come together on our experience, one thing that stuck out to me this trip was the lack of our waitresses (with an exception noted later) actually well, waitressing. Most of the time we got our bottle service, they brought out the menu (which was really just on the table), asked us to pick our bottles, returned with the bill, then returned with the bottles ordered. They would then pour one drink, and then the rest of the night we wouldn't see them. On the contrary, our runners and security were there all night ensuring the best possible time. The runners were amazing at making sure everything was clean and we had drinks.

The exception to this rule came at Light. Our waitress Malissa (yes Malissa with an A) was there the entire night except when she had to go get another bottle for one of the tables she was working. She memorized everyone's names and drinks. On top of that when one of us would point out to her that another needed to wait before another round, she would ensure they were drinking water. And she danced and conversed with all her guests (she had 3 tables that night) throughout the entire evening. She truly was there the entire time.

So what are you to do when you have a waitress who is amazing and always there and then you go someplace else and you see the waitress for all of 10-15 minutes when you first arrive? And for comparison sake our tables at the other clubs we went to were mostly dancefloor, which was better than what we had at Light.

[Cle]

I'm split on this. Here's why - this hasn't happen in awhile but i've seen it - If you have a waitress that isn't flirting all night, you've got room to bring people in, if she isn't pouring drinks for you all night - you don't need to worry about the bus boy taking away full glasses. This was common awhile ago where the waitress would fill glasses full and the bus boys were to come by every 10 minutes and clear the table with new glasses, this is bad news.

On the other side it does make a great time when you have a bomb ass waitress that just wants to hang out and have a good time on her shift.

[Chali2Na]

At this point, I consider the auto grat to be a cost of doing business. It's unfortunate, because we're all forced to do it thanks to there being enough assholes who wouldn't tip at all otherwise. Believe me, I know people who work in clubs with no auto grats. It can get ugly sometimes.

That being said, I'll sign for the 20% (or write it in, as is the case at XS, which doesn't auto grat) and then see how the night goes. If the waitress is nice, comes by often, hangs out, chats, isn't pushy, etc. I'll toss a few more bucks to her. Reward the good ones with a little more, and punish the bad ones by sticking them with the minimum.

[iamkhai]

One thing I will say about this is that the waitresses only get 15% and the other 5% goes to the busser/runner. This makes me feel a little bit better about it, but at the same time, if I am tipping you $300, I expect good service. I tip a host $300 and I get bumped to a better table and he brings people to the table to party all night. I tip a waitress $300 and she bolts the moment the bottles are brought out.

[JuiceJH]

idk, id rather the waitress not pour the drinks, they pour heavy to try to finish the bottle so you buy a new one $$

[sfnate]

At this point, I consider the auto grat to be a cost of doing business.

agreed

[dj_advantage]

Were you up in the Mezz at LIGHT or were you closer to T1/T2 table? I can see how things can get really hectic at the more popular tables especially at the more popular night clubs. But we had a Mezz table for my bachelor party and it wasn't really that packed up there so our waitress who was awesome as able to spend more time, was attentive, and was very chill.

[iamkhai]

Were you up in the Mezz at LIGHT or were you closer to T1/T2 table? I can see how things can get really hectic at the more popular tables especially at the more popular night clubs. But we had a Mezz table for my bachelor party and it wasn't really that packed up there so our waitress who was awesome as able to spend more time, was attentive, and was very chill.

I've been to Light twice, the first was a T2 table and second was a T1. At the T2 table our waitress had 6 tables she was responsible for, but still was attentive all night and was there. This second time we were at T1 and our waitress only had 3 tables. Light has by far had the best waitresses/runners I've had. Marquee Day Club was good, and is a good 2nd as far as attentive waitstaff, but Light has done the best so far. The rest of the clubs, they seem to just bring a bottle and leave. I actually talked to a manager at Light after the trip to tell him about the amazing service and he said he really tries to hammer home that the waitstaff should be there all night. The girls that don't, typically don't stay there very long.

[dnix]

absolutely no excuse for this at a DF table. Ive been to most venues multiple times, and IMO this isnt a venue issue, its an individual server issue. just my limited experience though

[DeX]

Did you see a lot of bottle presentations that night? I've had this happen before on a couple occasions because some tables had big spenders and they used up 3-5 waitresses for presentations all night long.

[OmarLittle]

Best waitress experience - Hyde. Hands down.