Second restaurant in the last 5 days I've been to that does 20% auto-gratuity

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This is for larger group dinners.

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Auto gratuity is pretty normal for big groups. Usually it’s 18% but I don’t eat out in big groups that often.

Well it was 18% for a long time. Not shocking that some places have raised it to 20%.

I’m assuming these are touristy places and/or places where people are known not to tip well.

I know auto is normal for large groups. We had about 30 of us at a dinner last week. Tonight was 5 of us at Olive or Twist.

I also noticed they only serve 3 happy hour beers now instead of six, raised the price from $3 to $5, and happy hour cocktails are now $8, with their normal prices hovering around $14.

I always do 20%

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Tonight was 5 of us at Olive or Twist.

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Yeah that’s kind of annoying. I guess they do what they feel they have to if they want decent staff.

Just be sure to let them know that you were ready to give a 30% gratuity if it was not for the automatic 20% gratuity.

I tip 20% usually anyways so not a big deal IF they tell me it’s been added already. I get pissed when I leave only to find out they double dipped me. I know it’s my fault but a curtesy heads up that’s it’s added should be standard.

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Are you really upset over 2%?

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I'd be more upset about them considering a table of 5 to be a large party.

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Are you really upset over 2%?

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Same sort of thing was said when tipping went from 15% to 18%

Did I ever mention I was upset? Not once.

I dislike going out to dinner unless it's one of the fee places I willingly enjoy spending my money at. I am very content with having an ordinary meal at home and buying my own beer/making my own drinks.

I'm aware that restaurants are more of a luxury event nowadays instead of a simple night out with family. I'm just pointing out what seems to be another shitty problem with the economy's effect on the service/restaurant industry.

I generally tip past 20% if the service was great. Noticeably, it was strange that we got an auto-gratuity with a party of five, especially at a restaurant that I felt was competitively affordable for the quality of their food/drinks. I was just pointing out that in my young adult life, I know the normal tip amount has always been 18%, and the minor jump to 20% was eye-catching.