You're out, the band is great, and you'd love to hear a specific song. Maybe it's your anniversary, maybe it's just the perfect night for that one tune. So you wonder: what's the right amount to tip for a request? The short answer is that a typical song request tip ranges from $5 to $20, depending on the venue and how much the song means to you — but the context matters, so let's break it down. Quick reference: typical request tips by setting Casual bar or restaurant gig: $5–$10 is a friendly, normal request tip. Piano bar or dueling pianos: $10–$20 — these rooms run on requests and the performers expect (and earn) more. Wedding or private event DJ: $10–$20 per request; more if it's your first dance or a must-play moment. Solo musician or small band you love: $10 is generous and genuinely appreciated. A song that takes real effort (obscure, off-genre, or a learn-on-the-spot): tip toward the higher end — you're asking for extra work. These are starting points, not rules. The real question isn't “what's required” — nothing is — it's “what makes this feel good for both of us.” What actually drives the right amount How much the song means to you If it's your wedding song, your late father's favorite, or the tune that's going to make your whole table lose it, the tip should reflect that. People regularly tip $20, $50, or more for a single song at a meaningful moment — and it's worth every dollar for the memory. How much you're asking of the performer A song the band already plays every night is an easy ask. A deep cut they have to pull up, transpose, or fake their way through is a bigger favor. The more effort your request takes, the more a generous tip says “I know this isn't nothing, and I appreciate it.” The venue and the vibe A street performer, a cover band at a brewery, and a wedding DJ all live in different tipping cultures. Piano bars in particular are built around the request — tipping is the whole social ritual, and $10–$20 is standard. Read the room: if you see other people tipping when they request, match or beat it. Etiquette: how to actually do it Make the request easy to fulfill — name the song and artist clearly so there's no guessing. Don't expect it immediately. Performers build a flow; your song may fit better in two songs than right now. Be gracious if they pass. Not every song fits every set, and a good performer who declines usually has a reason (and on most platforms, you're refunded automatically). If they nail it, a little extra afterward is a lovely gesture — and it's the kind of thing that gets you remembered. The easiest way to tip for a request More and more performers now take requests through a QR code instead of cash. You scan the code on your table, pick your song, choose your amount, and pay from your phone — no cash needed, and the performer gets your request instantly. If the band can't play it, you're refunded automatically. It removes all the guesswork and awkwardness of flagging someone down mid-set. If you're a performer reading this, here's how the request flow works and how to set up your own digital tip jar. Bottom line: tip what the moment is worth to you. A request tip is a small price for turning a good night into one you'll actually remember — and for the musician, it's a meaningful thank-you for making it happen.