> Hi, I've been lurking here for a couple weeks since I started
> tending, first-time poster. I recently got my first bartending gig,
> banquet department at a hotel. It's pretty fun so far, and I'm
> enjoying learning the craft. One thing bothers me: our hotel bills
> clients a 19% gratuity for hosted bars. However, we don't get all of
> it; it seems several percent simply goes back to the hotel. As well
> as being lame because bartenders get less money (we're not supposed
> to accept tips for hosted bars, so the grat is virtually our whole
> income), it also seems unethical to bill customers for gratuity, when
> it isn't a gratuity. So anyway, I was hoping someone could tell me if
> this is actually illegal in any way, or if it's just unfortunate.
> Thanks guys.
>
> -john
What percentage goes back to the hotel? As long as you're still making
minimum wage, it sounds technically legal, albeit shady.
Here's the Department of Labor fact sheet for tips and legalities.
http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/whdfs15.htm