|
Review content:
gra?tu?ity , noun, plural gra?tu?ities : something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service ; especially : tip
This definition of "gratuity" from Merriam-Webster is completely lost on the management / bar staff of 49 Grove in the West Village. Given voluntarily? Beyond obligation? Not at this poor excuse for a club if you run a tab with your credit card. "Total f*cking B.S." are the words that came out of my mouth when I closed out my bill and saw a 20% gratuity already added to my total. I'm used to seeing this in restaurants when you have a party of 6 or more, but never at a bar and never for a party of two and never for credit card customers only. Seriously, WTF? Yeah, I know -- some foreigners from Europe don't know that tipping is customary here. Some people get drunk and forget. Some people are just plain cheap. I hate cheap people, too, and it stinks that some bartenders get stiffed. But seriously, WTF? It comes with the territory. If you want steady income, get a day job. Most bartenders I know pull in a lot of coin, so if they're getting stiffed all the time at 49 Grove and need to pull out this b.s. policy, maybe it's because the service there is abysmal? The funny thing is, I'm not afraid to spend money, especially when it comes to booze and hot women. The bartender was cute, nice thingies, etc. and she served up a mean drink. I would've easily tipped her anywhere between 25% and 50% depending on how drunk I got, how nice she was, etc. But instead of having to work for her tip (too much to ask for, apparently), they build it into the tab. You lose, 49 Grove: for a kind word ("I like your shirt", "you have great hair"..whatever...even lie to me, I'll probably believe you), she could've doubled her tip. But she chose to go for the quick (and probably illegal since they don't warn you ahead of time) 20%. I won't be back and instead will be blowing my hard earned cash at some place that deserves it.
Pros: none
Cons: 20% MANDATORY gratuity
|