I recently moved and picked up a bartending job to make a few bucks and occupy time while getting my main gig going in my new location. If the restaurant I'm at were busy all the time I could make well over $50/hr in tips but with ups/downs in volume I average about $20/hr (+ my hourly wage). The place is kind of an average sports bar type place. Upscale places I know servers/bartenders can my hundreds a night or more and, of course, there are low end places where they make little or nothing. With all the credit card tips these days tipped employees aren't able to avoid much of their taxes.