Steve has no problem with the mandatory 18% tip included in the bill for parties of eight or larger at Dave & Buster’s. He does, however, have a problem with getting charged 18% for mediocre service for a dinner party of seven, not eight. Maybe most diners are having too much fun to notice that there isn’t an invisible eighth guest at their tables.

Last night, I met with my co-workers to have dinner and say goodbye to one that was being deployed overseas. Someone chose Dave and Busters ([redacted]) for our gathering and as we were handed menus, I saw that it stated: “For your convenience, an 18% gratuity will be added to your bill for parties of 8 or more”. I have no problem with that as its a lot of work to take care of that many people, but in our case, we were only 7 so I figured, that’s no problem either. So, I was a little surprised when I got the check for my wife and I and found the 18% added in. I checked with the others at the table and they too had this added in. I was pretty pissed off but I did not want to make a scene and embarrass my friends and co-workers.

I’m not sure what the recourse should be, but I know that the waitress made $30+ and was not entitled to such a lavish tip for the mediocre service she provided.

The solution is simple enough: call or visit the restaurant during an off-peak time and ask to speak to the manager. It’s tricky, though, since making his case will depend on whether the system at Dave & Buster’s still has the tabs for their party of only seven in the system.

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