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Tipping in New Orleans
Louisiana
Restaurants and bars follow the usual US ranges, but New Orleans adds a layer most cities do not: street musicians, and they are working rather than busking for fun.
What to tip in New Orleans
| Service | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurants | 18–20% | On the pre-tax subtotal. Louisiana uses the federal $2.13 tipped minimum wage, so tips are most of the take-home here. |
| Bars | $1–2 per drink | $1 for a beer or a simple pour, $2 once a drink needs more than a couple of ingredients. At cocktail bars, 20%. |
| Street musicians & performers | $1–5 | Walking past costs nothing. If you stop to listen, take a photo, or record — that is when a tip is expected. Performers pay for their own licences and are not paid by the city. |
| Tour guides | $3–5 per person | Per person in your group, not per group. Walking and cemetery tours are often guide-owned operations. |
| Hotel housekeeping | $3–5/night | Daily, in cash. |
| Taxis & rideshare | 15–20% | Fares from the airport are flat-rate; tip on top. |
| Second line & parade performers | $5+ | If you join a second line or a brass band stops for you, cash is the convention. |
What's different here
- •Louisiana has no state minimum wage of its own and follows the federal $2.13 tipped rate. Service workers here rely on tips more heavily than in states that require a full minimum wage before tips.
- •Go-cups mean bar tabs move outdoors. Settle and tip before you wander off with the drink — bartenders lose tips to people who simply leave.
- •Musicians on Royal Street and Frenchmen Street are working, not busking as a hobby. If you stood and listened to a set, $2–5 is the local convention.