The “barback” is a bartender’s right-hand man or woman whose goal is to make sure that the bartender always has everything they need so that they can make as many drinks as possible and never have to leave their well. Some general duties of a barback include: cutting back up garnishes, refill ice in the wells, restock empty liquor bottles, wash glassware, grab inventory from the liquor room as needed, change beer kegs, CO2 tanks and syrups, and pull off dirty glasses from the bar. Every now and then a barback will have to unclog a sink if one becomes backed up. Barbacks make it habit to always be wiping down the bar and add cash tips left on the bar to the tip jar if a bartender has kept them on the bar top for too long. Both bartenders and barbacks are equally responsible for cleaning up and restocking the bar at the end of each shift.
Generally, barbacks do not handle any of the cash. Bartenders will handle most of the monetary transactions behind the bar unless it is busy and the bar’s policy allows for the bar back to handle cash. In most bars, it’s unacceptable for the barbacks to handle any of the cash because it’s the responsibility of the bartender. The only time a bar back would handle cash behind the bar is to add tips left on the bar to the tip jar.
Barbacks make their money in the form of a minimum hourly wage from the bar and cash tips from the bartender(s). Bartenders usually tip out their barbacks anywhere from 15-20% of their total tips, not bar sales. Bartenders should always take care of their barbacks. “Please” and “Thank You” are most appreciated when a bartender asks the barback to do something. Barbacks are co-workers to the bartenders, not slaves.
Bartenders should never cheat a barback on their tips. In most bars, the barbacks are doing most of the grunt work and end up making the least. The 15-20% range is pretty standard in the bar industry. If bartenders always take care of their barbacks, the barbacks will always take care of the bartenders. This creates a healthy symbiotic relationship for everyone working behind the bar.
One of the worse things that can happen to a bartender is to not have the prompt or lack of service of a barback on a really busy night. The more time the bartender spends away from making and serving drinks, the less tips the bartender will make.
Bartenders, be sure to ALWAYS take care of your barbacks. A good barback who thinks ahead and is proactive in their actions is an essential element to every successful bar.
Comments
I've had some truly wonderful and amazing barbacks. Total Rock Stars. But I've only had one that was a bitter, spiteful, rat looking dirtbag named Rod who worked with me at a rooftop bar downtown. Yup, I said his name. Hahaha!
worlds best bar back right here not self proclaimed but earned i make drink better than most bartenders hit me up texas beeville Scores bar and grill
I've always been a server in restaurants until I recently decided to accept a bar back position at a local busy bar and restaurant, and I have to say it is one of the most difficult, thankless, and grueling physical labor I have encountered of my 9 years in the restaurant industry. Some bartenders can be extremely unappreciative towards 'their right hand'. Barking orders rather than asking for assistance, and complaining when one thing isn't done when you have seven or eight things your required to do. There's only one of us, and 10 of you. Help us, help you! We work three times harder and make 1/3 the cash you walk with. At least verbally show appreciation when you know someone is going out of their way to do a good job, regardless if you think they could be better.
Ax Bar Back,
I totally agree with you. Bar backs do work very hard and don't make nearly as much money as the bartenders. I always make sure to show my appreciation to my bar backs during the shift by always thanking them for whenever they do anything for me. Sure, helping me out is part of their job, but I always like to show my appreciation at all times. Bar backs are the unspoken heros of any bar.
Over the years, I have worked with bartenders who clearly don't appreciate their bar backs. These bartenders were lazy and couldn't be bothered to do something if they thought it was the bar back's job.
I'm the bar manager of the bar I currently work at and I refuse to tolerate that sort of poor attitude. I make sure that EVERYONE pulls their own weight with all of the duties during the shift. Everyone (including bartenders) is responsible for the opening/closing, cleaning and stocking of the bar.
is becomming a barback a good way to get your way up to becomming a bartender?
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