I usually tip 20% at restaurants and $1 per drink at the bar. My wife and I don't usually drink beer at a bar, mixed drinks are the norm so that too probably works out to 20-25% depending on locale. Agree with the comment above if drinking bottled beer. If I'm up for spending the money to eat or drink out, I budget the money to tip accordingly. I have enough family who spent time in the service industry that I was taught growing up to tip well, and like LAFF said, if you frequent the same place regularly and tip well, you can expect first class service every time.