STAFF AT an Irish pub in the US have been left “speechless” after a generous customer left a tip of $966.79 to show his appreciation for their hard work during these difficult times.
Like all hospitality venues, Kildare’s Irish Pub in West Chester, Pennsylvania, has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced bars and restaurants across the US to close during lockdown.
Now back up and running with social distancing and other safety restrictions in place, the pandemic has nevertheless hit everyone associated with Kildare’s hard.
With that in mind, one generous customer known only as “Mike” decided to show his appreciation by leaving an incredibly generous tip.
Mike only spent $33.21 on food and drink at the Irish pub but happily paid $1,000 for the service, with a tip totalling $966.79.
This was no mistake either, with the generous tipper writing a note on the receipt asking his server to “share” the tip “with your colleagues.”
In an extra special touch, he also included a message, written in large capital letters across the top of the receipt that read: "Hang in there — COVID won't last forever!!" He added a simple "Thank you."
According to General Manager Mark Tarzell only he and bartender Phillip Scanlon were working when “Mike” came in and "ordered a chicken cheesesteak and had a couple of beers."
According to Tarzell, “Mike” offered a few words of encouragement before making a quiet exit.
The $966 tip ended up being shared among the seven members of staff who worked that night, including the cooks.
Kildare’s later shared a picture of the receipt on Facebook alongside a message of thanks to “Mike”.
"Wanted to share this extremely kind gesture from one of our guests last night,” the caption accompanying the post said.
“Our staff were over the moon. Thank you so much! The generosity that we have encountered over these hard past few months really is overwhelming. Thank you to everyone."
Wanted to share this extremely kind gesture from one of our guests last night. Our staff were over the moon. Thank you...
Posted by West Chester Kildare's Irish Pub on Friday, January 15, 2021
Scanlon, who was working behind the bar that night, later told Fox 29 he was left “speechless” at this incredible show of support.
“He left an outrageous tip and wasn't just for me, but it was for everybody and with the darkness that's been going on it's nice to have some kind of light.”
It’s support like this that should help Kildare’s survive the pandemic.
In the meantime, Tarzell, Scanlon and everyone working tirelessly in the bar and restaurant are just thankful for generous customers like “Mike” and so many more besides.
See More: Guinness, Irish Pub, Kildare, US, West Chester
