What are Barback Responsibilities?

If you're setting up your bar, it helps to have a clear picture of what a barback actually does day-to-day, especially if you're writing up a job description or training a new hire. A barback covers pretty much everything that keeps a bartender's work moving without any delay.

Barback responsibilities include restocking liquor, beer, and wine, keeping ice bins full throughout the night, washing and restocking glassware, cutting fruit garnishes, changing kegs, and keeping out empty bottles and trash.

During a rush, barbacks take care of everything. Running between food to the bar, cleaning everything, and helping bussers empty glasses so seats turn faster.

A good barback is basically managing the bar throughout the whole shift, noticing when something's about to run low before the bartender even has to ask. That takes some experience, so don't expect a brand new hire to move at that speed right away.

On the scheduling side, most bars hire one barback per one or two bartenders depending on volume, and cut them earlier than the bartenders once the rush dies down. Pay is usually hourly, plus a tip-out from the bartenders, so it's worth being upfront with new hires about how that split works before their first shift.