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Let's talk about the tip

Let’s talk about tipping. Bottom line, if you can afford to go to a winery, you can afford to tip the musicians. Every. Dang. Time. Make their day and stick a five, ten, or twenty in the tip jar. These artists work hard to put a smile on your face, so consider all the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into a single performance — including rehearsals, set-up, and all of that sad break-down when the music’s over.

So pay it back like a pro.

Most sources say a buck or two is appropriate if you linger at the venue for 15-20 minutes, but if you’re there for an hour or two, $5 or $10 will be much appreciated. Oh, and they may not mention it, but the owner of the venue will definitely notice and appreciate you tipping the artists as well, especially if they’re not charging a cover to get in.

Or you can show the money on Venmo.

In the situations where adding a tip on a credit card isn’t an option, and you don’t have a single single on you, consider asking the band if they use Venmo or other money-sharing app. Internet savvy musicians will sometimes place a Venmo code on their tip jar for audience members to scan with their smart phones.

A note for establishment owners.

If you’re the proprietor of a venue hosting a band, you don’t want to come across as cheap or ungrateful — word gets around, believe me! So consider tipping each member of the band or ensemble $25 - $75 per person. Live music costs a lot for a good reason. The musicians provide talent, entertainment, and roll with the punches of the event to bring folks into your venue.

“We bring a lifetime of passion and devotion to the gig, so positive recognition goes a long way,” says local musician and composer George Quirin.

We asked George about song requests, “Yeah. Sometimes I haven’t played a particular tune in a long time or maybe it’s just not really in my wheel house, but I’ll go out on a limb to play it and make the customer happy, so it’s nice to be rewarded with a little extra.”

Keep in mind that musician and bands keep their energy levels up for hours at a time while your bar is doing some top-notch earning. If your budget is tight, or it’s a slow day, it’s ok to skip the monetary tip. Show your appreciation by sending them off with a gift card to your establishment, or bottle of wine for later.

Like winemakers, musicians have with a lifetime of commitment and dedication under their belts. They hope to be tipped, but they don’t expect it. Tipping is a nice gesture to verify your happiness with their services.

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See our complete list of upcoming music and wine events in the Santa Ynez Valley.