What is a Barback?

As a bar or restaurant manager, you know how important it is to have a well-run bar that keeps customers happy and ordering drinks. One key role in making that happen is the barback, an essential support staff member who works behind the scenes to keep the bar running smoothly. But what exactly is a barback and what do they do?

The Short Version:

Role: A barback is a crucial support role in a bar, acting primarily as a bartender's assistant, responsible for ensuring the bar operates smoothly.

Main Duties:

Stocking supplies: Keeps all necessary bar items replenished, from liquor to garnishes.
Cleanliness: Maintains a clean bar environment, including dishwashing and spill cleanup.
Assistance: Supports bartenders by delivering drinks, preparing garnishes, and assisting with drink preparation during busy periods.

Skills Required:

Physical stamina and strength: To manage demanding physical tasks throughout shifts.
Attention to detail: Ensures accuracy in stocking and cleanliness.
Teamwork and communication: Essential for efficient bar operation.
Customer service: Provides indirect and sometimes direct service to guests.

Compensation: Typically starts around $12-$14 per hour, with potential to earn $20+ per hour including tips.

Uniforms: Barbacks wear durable, functional attire provided by Stock, designed to meet the demands of the job.

Hiring Tips: Look for candidates with experience, necessary skills, and appropriate certifications. Detail the job's responsibilities and growth opportunities in your job description to attract qualified candidates.

Ensure your barbacks are well-equipped: Outfit them with Stock’s high-quality uniforms for functionality and professionalism.

Outfit your barback for success with Stock's bar uniform collection, and set them up to keep your bar running smoothly.

What Does a Barback Do?

A barback is a bartender's assistant. They work behind the scenes at the bar to keep the bar stocked, clean, and running smoothly so bartenders can focus on making drinks and serving customers. Some of the main duties of a barback include:

Restocking supplies

Barbacks need to meticulously manage inventory and restock essential items. They are responsible for replenishing liquor, various mixers, garnishes, ice, glassware, and napkins. Throughout their shift, they continuously monitor and fill fridges, shelves, and workstations to prevent any shortages that might disrupt the bar service.

Cleaning and dishwashing

Maintaining the cleanliness of the bar area is a significant part of a barback’s responsibilities. They are tasked with thoroughly washing glassware, diligently wiping down counters, promptly cleaning up any spills, emptying trash bins, and ensuring that the bar maintains a neat and inviting appearance for guests.

Delivering drinks and food

In some establishments, barbacks also play a vital role in customer service by delivering drinks and food directly to tables. This helps reduce wait times and improves customer satisfaction. They facilitate efficient communication and coordination between the bar and floor staff for a seamless service.

Assisting bartenders in general

As a key part of a great barback job description, barbacks are indispensable to bartenders during peak hours by assisting with various tasks to keep the service running efficiently. They prepare garnishes, refill ice bins, fetch liquor bottles from the stock, and sometimes mix simple drinks to expedite service. Their primary goal is to support the bartenders, enabling them to focus more on crafting drinks and interacting with customers.

Here are some additional tasks that a barback might perform for a busy bar:

Setting up and breaking down the bar: Before the bar opens, barbacks help set up by arranging glassware, stocking liquor bottles, and preparing garnishes. At closing time, they assist in cleaning and organizing the bar for the next day.
Handling deliveries: Barbacks are often responsible for receiving and organizing deliveries of liquor, beer, and other supplies, ensuring that the stock is properly stored and accounted for.
Maintaining equipment: Barbacks help keep bar equipment, such as ice machines, refrigerators, and beer taps, clean and in proper working order.
Assisting with inventory management: They may help bartenders and managers with inventory counts and ordering supplies to ensure the bar is adequately stocked.
Learning and observing: Many barbacks use the role as an opportunity to learn about bartending, observing and assisting bartenders to gain knowledge and skills needed for career advancement.

Barback Skills

A successful barback needs a combination of physical stamina, attention to detail, and a customer service mindset. Some of the top skills to look for include:

Stamina and strength

The role of a barback is physically demanding, involving continuous movement and the handling of heavy items such as cases of liquor, beer kegs, and large ice buckets. Barbacks require the physical stamina and strength to efficiently manage their duties over long shifts, often extending beyond eight hours.

Attention to detail

With so many supplies to stock and areas to clean, barbacks need a sharp eye and good memory to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. It is critical to have organizational skills and a meticulous approach to tracking inventory and cleaning.

Problem-solving

Problem-solving is another essential skill for barbacks. They must be able to think on their feet and find quick solutions to unexpected challenges. For example, if a beer tap starts malfunctioning during a busy period, a barback needs to troubleshoot the issue and find a way to get it back up and running smoothly. They may also need to improvise a garnish if the bar runs out of the usual one for a specific cocktail or figure out how to rearrange the bar setup to make better use of limited space.

Multitasking

Multitasking is a crucial skill for barbacks, as they often need to juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. This might involve restocking glasses, refilling ice, and preparing garnishes during a rush while also keeping an eye on various areas of the bar to anticipate needs.

Teamwork

Effective collaboration is crucial in a bustling bar environment. Barbacks must work seamlessly with bartenders, servers, and other staff members. Key attributes include a good attitude and communication skills.

Adaptability

Adaptability is another key trait for success in this role. Barbacks must be able to adjust to changes in the bar environment, such as new layouts or menu updates, without disrupting the workflow. They may also need to fill in for a bartender or server when the bar is short-staffed or during unexpected absences. Additionally, barbacks should be able to quickly learn and implement new cleaning protocols or safety measures as needed.

Time management

Effective time management is essential for barbacks to ensure that all tasks are completed efficiently. This involves prioritizing duties to maintain the most critical aspects of the bar and using slower periods wisely for deep cleaning or restocking supplies. Barbacks must also manage their time effectively to ensure that all opening or closing duties are completed thoroughly within the allocated time frame.

Cleanliness

Since cleaning is such a big part of the job, barbacks have to be willing to get their hands dirty and take pride in keeping their bar looking its best. An eye for cleanliness and sanitation is a must.

Customer service

Even though they mostly work behind the scenes, barbacks will still interact with customers and need to represent your bar well. A friendly demeanor and professional appearance go a long way.

How Much Does a Barback Get Paid?

Barback pay varies depending on the venue and location, but the median hourly wage is $13.37/hr according to Zip Recruiter. However, barbacks also often earn a percentage of bartender tips or tip out from servers, which can make up a significant part of their take-home pay. When you factor in tips, a barback can often make $20+ per hour.

What Does a Barback Wear?

Having barbacks wear a clean, consistent uniform is important for your bar's professional image. At Stock, we offer a variety of durable workwear designed for the demands of the job, including:

Work Shirts

Moisture-wicking and stain-resistant shirts are perfect for long, demanding shifts. For example, Stock's Men's Black Short Sleeve Banded Collar Service Shirt features a modern, stylish design with a banded collar that can be worn like a traditional button-down or spread collar.
Fabrics should be engineered to resist tears and snags, ensuring that your barbacks look sharp throughout their entire shift. Our banded collar service shirt's feature a 75/25 cotton-poly blend that offers enhanced durability and colorfastness compared to 100% cotton, while maintaining a soft and comfortable feel.

Work Pants

Work pants should be designed with adequate pockets to hold essential tools and towels, allowing your barbacks to keep everything they need close at hand.
Pants should have reinforced construction to ensure that these pants can withstand the rigors of the job, such as frequent bending, lifting, and exposure to spills.
The Navy Stretch Service Chino is a great example, offering our classic Stock bottom silhouette with just the right amount of stretch for maneuverability. These chinos provide slightly more room in the thighs with a gentle taper toward the cuff, resulting in a comfortable fit with a tailored look.

Work Boots or Shoes

Barback’s will wear similar shoes or boots as a bartender. Slip-resistant soles are crucial for barbacks who often work on wet, slippery floors. Shoes should provide excellent traction and support, reducing the risk of accidents and keeping your staff comfortable during long shifts.
Sturdy construction and cushioned insoles help prevent fatigue, even when your barbacks are constantly on their feet.

Waist Apron

An extra layer of protection is essential for barbacks who handle a variety of tasks, from restocking supplies to cleaning up spills.
Our waist aprons offer ample coverage and convenient storage options. Our aprons are expertly crafted in Chicago from durable material such as canvas.

In addition to these essential workwear pieces, Stock offers a curated collection of bartender uniforms designed specifically for those who deal in libations.

Our pre-built looks, such as the Modern Bartender Uniform and the Barman Uniform, combine style and functionality to create a polished, professional appearance.

The Modern Bartender Uniform features:

A double-breasted charcoal tweed vest, providing your bartenders with a modern, tailored look.
A simple yet clean white Oxford shirt and functional black chinos, creating the perfect ensemble for any modern bar or lounge.
For a more statement-making look, consider pairing our Wide Collar Blouse or White Service Dress Shirt with our Black Stretch Service Jeans, and complete the outfit with our Black Herringbone Waist Apron for added functionality and a sleek finish.

The Barman Uniform, on the other hand, is suitable for a range of establishments, from classic beer halls to BBQ and whisky joints or brewery/eatery settings. This uniform includes:

Our rugged Kaihara Selvedge Denim Stock Apron, which is lighter than standard denim aprons and has a custom adjustable neck strap.
A Short Sleeve Blue Stretch Service Chambray shirt, always reliable and timeless, fitting almost every uniform ensemble out there.
Khaki Stretch Service Chinos, creating a durable and stylish look for your barbacks and bartenders alike.

By investing in high-quality, purpose-built uniforms for your barbacks, you demonstrate a commitment to their comfort, safety, and professional appearance.

With our custom design process and prestigious clientele, including Hotel Kansas City, The Madeline Hotel, and Soho House, you can trust Stock to help you create the perfect uniform solution for your establishment.

Hiring a Barback

When hiring a barback for your bar,, look for candidates with previous bar, restaurant, or customer service experience who aren't afraid of physical labor and fast-paced environments. Some key things to include in your barback job description for your bar opening:

Responsibilities like stocking beer, wine, liquor, and mixers, cleaning glassware and bar equipment, helping bartenders with drink preparation, restocking garnishes and snacks, maintaining cleanliness of the bar area and surrounding tables, and assisting with bar opening and closing duties.
Required skills and qualifications like teamwork, stamina, attention to detail, ability to multitask, good communication skills, and knowledge of basic bar terminology and equipment.
Any necessary certifications like food handler's permit or alcohol service training, which may vary depending on your state or local regulations. It's crucial to verify that all barbacks meet age requirements and are trained on compliance with local liquor laws.
Details on scheduling, including expected shift times and days, pay rate, and benefits like tip outs from bartenders or complimentary employee meals.
Encourage career development by outlining clear pathways for advancement from barback to bartender, including training sessions and opportunities for skill acquisition. Highlighting success stories within your establishment can motivate new hires and show them the potential for growth.
Emphasize the importance of proper training in handling heavy loads and using potentially hazardous equipment safely.

As a bar manager, hiring the right barback can make a big difference in your bar's efficiency and guest experience. There are plenty of good candidates in the industry, it's just a matter of making sure you take the time to seek them out and offer them a win-win barback job experience.

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