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Tipping in Boston
Massachusetts
Tip 18–20% at restaurants, 15–20% for taxis, and $3–5 per night for housekeeping.
What to tip in Boston
| Service | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurants | 18–20% | Boston has excellent seafood restaurants. Standard tipping applies. |
| Bars & pubs | $1–2 per drink | Boston’s pub culture is strong. Standard per-drink tipping. |
| Taxis & rideshare | 15–20% | Uber/Lyft widely available. Boston taxis also common. |
| Hotel housekeeping | $3–5/night | Boston hotels can be expensive. Tips still expected. |
| Lobster shacks / clam bars | 15–18% | Counter-service seafood spots: tipping optional but appreciated. Sit-down: standard tip. |
| Stadium food & drinks | Not required | Gillette Stadium concessions are standard — no tip required. |
What's different here
- •Massachusetts requires employers to pay tipped staff $6.75 an hour in cash before tips — above the federal $2.13, but still less than half the state minimum wage. Tips make up the rest, and the employer only has to top up if they do not.
- •Restaurants here commonly add an automatic gratuity for parties of six or more. Check the bill before adding anything on top; double-tipping is the most common visitor mistake in any city that does this.
- •Boston is compact enough that short rideshare trips are common. A 15–20% tip on a $9 fare is under $2, and rounding up is the local habit.