Miami bartender thought $300,000 tabs were wild. Then she saw what someone tipped a waitress in a single night

A bartender at one of Miami’s most exclusive nightclubs has shared some eye-opening stories from nearly a decade working in the city’s high-end nightlife scene. Chloe, who has been bartending at LIV Miami for about nine years, recently posted a TikTok video. It gave viewers a glimpse into the massive amounts of money that flow through the famous club on any given night.

LIV Miami, situated within the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, is renowned for attracting celebrities, world-renowned DJs, and guests who spend substantial amounts on bottle service and entertainment. With 18,000 square feet of space, state-of-the-art sound systems, and VIP amenities, the club has become a destination for those looking to experience Miami’s legendary nightlife. Tables at LIV start at around $1,500 minimum spend plus tax and tip, with dance floor tables costing at least $3,000.

In her TikTok video, Chloe explained that after 18 years of bartending experience, she thought she had seen everything. She mentioned witnessing tabs exceeding $300,000 and watching someone order the biggest champagne bottle for around $150,000, only to pour it out for attention. “One of the craziest things I’ve seen was the amount a waitress got tipped,” Chloe said in the video. “I can’t say who tipped it, but she got a $75,000 tip.” She paused before repeating the amount, adding “That shit’s crazy.”

Working at Miami’s top clubs can be seriously lucrative

The hospitality industry in Miami operates on a different level compared to most cities. According to Glassdoor, a LIV Hospitality employee typically earns between $35,000 to $63,000 per year in base salary, depending on their position and experience. 

However, the real money comes from gratuities. For many high-end bartenders working in South Florida, tips can add anywhere from $8,000 to $15,000 annually, though those are conservative estimates. On exceptional nights, a single table can completely change someone’s monthly earnings.

Florida’s year-round tourism industry keeps the nightlife scene consistently busy. The state’s warm weather, luxury tourism, and destination events attract guests who are willing to spend generously on entertainment and service. Miami Beach in particular has become synonymous with upscale nightlife experiences, where bottle service minimums can easily reach five figures for major events or celebrity DJ appearances.

The response to Chloe’s video was immediate and overwhelming. Commenters expressed shock at the size of the tip she described. One user wrote “$75k and I’m out here solving rocket scientist problems for less.” Other service industry workers from different cities shared their own experiences, though bartending can involve dealing with unusual customer requests. One commenter from Dallas mentioned seeing servers make $10,000 in a single night from one table, adding that LIV does even crazier numbers. 

Some viewers even claimed they might have witnessed the same night Chloe was describing, with one person commenting about watching someone pour expensive champagne while a large plastic bucket sat underneath to catch it, with everyone filming the spectacle. While high-end clubs like LIV attract wealthy clientele, bar workers occasionally face challenging situations that require professional handling.