🇨🇳China · Bar / Pub
How much to tip at a bar in China (2026 Guide)
OptionalCash preferred
¥0 at local bars; ¥10–20 at high-end Western cocktail bars
Tipping calculator
¥
Cultural notes
Standard Chinese bars and KTVs do not have a tipping culture. The exception is the small cluster of cocktail bars on Shanghai's "World's 50 Best" lists where international clientele and Hong Kong-trained bartenders make a ¥10–20 cash tip on a ¥100+ cocktail unobjectionable. Bottle service at clubs may include a baked-in 10–15% service charge.
Common mistakes
Buying the bartender a drink in the Western style — uncommon and usually politely declined.
Frequently asked questions
Are tip jars common at hotel bars?
Some 5-star hotel bars in Beijing/Shanghai have them, but they are aimed at foreign guests. ¥10–20 is plenty.
How about local Chinese pubs?
Do not tip. The owner often pours your drink themselves.
Tipping other services in China
- Sit-down restaurant¥0; 10% service charge sometimes added at hotel/luxury restaurants
- Counter / takeaway¥0
- Café¥0
- Housekeeping¥10–20 per day at international 5-star hotels; ¥0 elsewhere
- Porter¥5–10 per bag at international hotels; ¥0 elsewhere
- Concierge¥50–100 for substantial help; otherwise none
- Taxi¥0
- Rideshare¥0 — DiDi has no in-app tipping for standard rides
- Food deliveryOptional ¥1–5 via in-app "reward rider" (打赏骑手)
- Grocery delivery¥0
- Hairdresser¥0
- Spa¥20–50 at high-end hotel spas; ¥0 at local foot-massage shops
- Tour guide¥100–200 per day private English guide; ¥50–100 per day for drivers
- Tattoo artist¥0
- Valet¥10–20 at international 5-star hotels; ¥0 elsewhere
- Airport baggage¥5–10 per bag for skycap-style airport porters; no tip for hotel-shuttle drivers
- BuskerSmall change (¥1–10) if you stop to listen; payment via WeChat QR is more common
- Movers¥0; ¥20–50 per worker for stairs, heavy items, or long hours
- Tradesperson¥0 — the quoted price is the price
Tipping at a bar in nearby countries
Last verified: · Sources: chinasurvivalkit.com