Give your favorite server or bartender a boost with Virtual Tip Jar

You can add to the tip jar from your phone or other device and give your favorite server or bartender a shot in the arm. (Photo by Kai Leek/Flickr)

You can give your favorite server or bartender a tip from afar with a recently-launched Virtual Tip Jar. Not a bad way to help your local pub or restaurant during these difficult days.

Gina Nobles, who plans to open PG&J’s Dog Park Bar in 2020, saw the initiative moving forward in other cities and decided to take the lead here in Louisville.

“The idea is if you work in the industry, fill out the form that populates a spreadsheet,” Nobles tells Hello Louisville. “If you want to leave someone a tip, you can view the spreadsheet to find out how to send them a ‘tip.’"

Nobles cited similar concepts in Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Portland as inspiration for Louisville’s Virtual Tip Jar.

Her primary challenge has been in getting the word out to hospitality professionals who are out of work, have lost hours or are otherwise challenged during the coronavirus lockdown. If you’re one of those workers, simply fill out an online form to be added to the spreadsheet. (Click “Next” at the bottom of the page to access the form.)

For those who wish to “tip,” take a look at the Virtual Tip Jar spreadsheet and send a tip via Venmo or PayPal to anyone you want to help out, as listed in the spreadsheet.

“This virtual tip jar is for local service industry staff: employees at bars, restaurants, salons, etc., to post their Venmo or Paypal information so that customers, neighbors and the Louisville community can continue to support them through this quarantine/social distancing period,” Nobles said.