I do not drink anymore, but I still give them my customary $1 per drink.
I am not buying rounds. It was either a long island, $5, or a beer, $2. So I am sure the $1 covered their percent. However, for me, I would ALWAYS leave a tip. Water, beer, booze, whatever.
It does pay. The bar I used to go to all the time would see me walk up, hold up one or two fingers for how many I wanted, and mouth the 'bud ice' then she'd get to me before everyone else who'd been waiting in the long ass lines.
Tip the servant waifs. It pays off in the long run.
