Las Vegas Blog

Tipping is a touchy subject, especially when you're on vacation. You have the people who don't think even the best waitress you've ever had deserves more than the hourly minimum wages she's working her tail off to please even the pickiest customer's every need, and then there are the people who drunkenly throw around $100 bills, making the rest of us look bad (but also sober). Can't we all get on the same page here, people?

Concierge
This is one of the first people you leave a tip for in Vegas, other than the driver who got you to your hotel in the first place. (In which case, a $5 spot will generally suffice if you're coming from the airport.) Your concierge, however, is one of the most important people you'll meet in the hotel; they know what's really going on in Vegas, and if you're willing to pony up for the info, you're going to be rewarded.

• To get show tickets, tour discounts and the best spa appointments and beauty services tip between $5 and $20, depending on the hotel you're in. They'll be pretty honest with you on their views on the Vegas shows to see and avoid the more persuasive you are with your greens.
• Looking for a room upgrade? Some hotels can hook you up better than others. Word on the street is that hotels on the Strip are particularly keen on hooking you up - generally if you slide a $20 across the counter, the front desk can work something out for you. That's right, $20 usually does the trick.
• Don't be extremely obvious and draw attention to the fact that you're buying your services. People like a little finesse. 

Bell boys
Generally the rule is $1 per bag. They can also help you get taxis or make certain arrangements of the sort, in which case, a little something extra is advised. 

Dealers
The main bosses in Vegas. Here are a few of the do's and don'ts of tipping dealers in Vegas.

• Don't tip in the middle of a hand during a card game. 
• Don't tip in the middle of a craps roll. Idiots.
• Wait until all bets are off the table before you "toke" (as they call it, just a fancy word for tip) a dealer. 
• Tipping between plays/spins is fine, tipping when you are ready to leave is just fine too.
• Tips to dealers start at $1, but we say if they're dealing you a hot hand, you oughta' share the wealth.

Waitresses, Bartenders and Room Service
Yes, just like anywhere else, the people that serve your food deserve a tip. Definitely don't deny them that!

• 15-20% to the restaurant waitresses, some places do have gratuity included though, usually when you're in a large party.
• Room service gets about the same respect - 15-20% of the bill.
• Buffets - they don't mind a few bucks here and there either!
• Graveyard shift, your food is probably cheaper, but the service is just as good, and hopefully your intoxication makes your wallet a little looser for these poor souls who have to deal with you and all your friends instead of just the opposite.
• Bartenders - you know the drill. These drinks are more than what you pay at your corner bar back home, but that doesn't mean that they get the same $1 you give to someone who pops the top off a Bud Light for you. Honestly, you shouldn't even give that much to someone who lets you drink a Bud Light, but the people mixing specialty cocktails, providing bottle service or putting up with Vegas partiers deserve the real deal!

Cocktail Waitresses
Even if you're getting comped drinks, you should be tipping the cocktail waitresses a little bit. Good tips will keep the booze flowing more regularly and a little more liberally than that stingy crowd of gentleman across the casino floor. Any waitress will probably avoid guys like this while keeping the glasses full(er) for the people leaving even just a dollar or two.

Maids
Rule of thumb is $1-$2 per day, and you can wait until the end of your stay or leave it every morning. The nicer your room/more hotel parties you hosted, the more you should consider upping the tip.

Bouncers
Slipping a tip to the bouncer at the Vegas club of your choice might help you (yes guys, we're talking to you) get in a little faster. Those lines can be long, and you wouldn't want your hair to go flat before you even get through the door to offend at least one girl! Strippers probably fall into this category, too, but we'll let you decide what works on that one.

When it comes to tipping in Vegas, don't go all Mr. Pink  on us. Yeah, you might not be a regular, but that doesn't mean that you aren't going to reap the benefits (or suffer the consequences) for tipping all the service men and women you're coming into contact with on your next trip to Sin City. The ultimate sin is not tipping the guy that can help you make it back to your room at the end of the night when all of your friends have left you to fend for yourself. For more tips on surviving Las Vegas, be sure to keep following Early Vegas and all of the blogs full of helpful pointers and the latest news. Tell us below what your thoughts are on tipping in Vegas, or hit us up on Facebook, Twitter or even Google+!