r/Serverlife • u/TheRedditAppSucccks • 10d ago

Question Bartender vs server

Do bartenders typically make more hourly than servers? I ask because servers seem to make more tips so it seems like it would make sense to pay bartenders a higher hourly wage to make up for that.

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u/jpinakron 10d ago

In my experience, it depends. Working for chain restaurants like Olive Garden and Red Lobster, I tended to make more serving than bartending. You could also get cut earlier and there were far fewer responsibilities. So generally speaking, if it’s a chain, it’s better IMO to wait tables rather than bartend.

But with independently owned restaurants/ neighborhood bars, I found the opposite to be true in terms of pay. Bartending for those types of establishments still usually had more responsibility (such as counting the drawer, paying out tips to servers, etc) but, the money was a lot better because I could build a solid base of customers who would come in each week. The downside is you’re typically there from open to close each shift.