Barback Job Description: How to Hire Your Next MVP Behind the Bar

It's Saturday night and your bartender is drowning. Mixing drinks, sprinting to the walk-in for vodka, fishing lime wedges out of the ice well, all while the line at the bar gets longer. You need a barback. Yesterday.

A solid barback job description gets you there. This guide covers what barbacks actually do, the skills that separate good from great, and a template you can post today to find someone who keeps your bar humming without constant supervision.

TL;DR: Barback job description

A barback job description should clearly outline the support duties that keep your bar running smoothly during service. Use it to attract candidates who understand they'll be restocking supplies, cleaning, and backing up bartenders, not serving customers directly.

Include these core responsibilities:

• Restocking liquor, beer, mixers, garnishes, and ice throughout service
• Changing kegs and troubleshooting draft system issues
• Washing glassware and keeping bartenders supplied with clean glasses
• Cleaning bar tops, floors, and service areas to maintain health standards

Pay range to list: $11-12/hour plus tips (total compensation: $17,000-$35,000 annually)

What is a barback?

A barback is a bar support staff member who keeps the bar stocked, clean, and organized during service. They assist bartenders by restocking liquor and supplies, changing kegs, washing glassware, cleaning bar areas, and handling behind-the-scenes tasks so bartenders can focus on serving customers.

Why bars hire barbacks: When bartenders have to leave the bar to grab supplies, change kegs, or hunt for clean glasses, service slows down and revenue drops. A barback handles these tasks so bartenders stay behind the bar making drinks and talking to customers, which is where they make you money.

Barback vs. bartender: What's the difference?

Bartenders interact with customers, take orders, mix drinks, and handle payments. Barbacks work behind the scenes, so they don't typically serve alcohol or take orders. Instead, they anticipate what bartenders need and make sure it's there before they have to ask. It's a support role, but it's also the most common entry point into bartending. Most bartenders started as barbacks and worked their way up within 6-18 months.

Barback job description: Core duties and responsibilities

A barback's job breaks down into three main areas: stocking, cleaning, and supporting bartenders during service. The specifics vary by bar size and volume, but these are the core responsibilities every barback job description should cover.

Stocking responsibilities

Barbacks keep the bar fully supplied so bartenders never have to abandon their post mid-shift. This includes:

• Replenishing liquor bottles on speed rails and back bars as they run low
• Restocking beer—both bottled and canned—in coolers and reach-ins
• Refilling mixers like tonic water, soda, juices, and simple syrups
• Cutting and prepping garnishes (lime wedges, lemon twists, orange slices, cherries, olives)
• Keeping ice wells filled throughout service (this happens constantly during busy shifts)
• Changing beer kegs when they blow and ensuring backup kegs are cold and ready
• Restocking bar supplies like napkins, straws, stirrers, coasters, and bar towels

Cleaning and maintenance

• Wiping down bar tops and removing spills immediately
• Collecting dirty glassware from the bar and service areas
• Running glassware through the dishwasher or to the dish pit and back
• Polishing wine glasses and ensuring they're spot-free
• Mopping floors in bar and service areas
• Taking out trash and recycling throughout the shift, not just at closing
• Cleaning bar mats, drip trays, and pour spouts
• Wiping down bar stools and railings
• Cleaning up broken glass quickly and safely

Opening and closing duties

Barbacks often work alongside opening or closing bartenders to set up or break down the bar:

Opening duties:

• Stocking the bar before service starts
• Cutting garnishes and prepping juices
• Filling ice wells
• Putting away liquor and beer deliveries
• Checking that taps, blenders, and other equipment are working

Closing duties:

• Restocking bottles for the next shift
• Breaking down and cleaning the bar area
• Taking final inventory counts
• Emptying trash and ensuring the space is ready for the next day

Support tasks during service

When things get busy, barbacks jump in wherever they're needed:

• Assisting bartenders with simple tasks like opening beer bottles or running drinks to tables
• Communicating between the bar, kitchen, and security when issues arise
• Helping with inventory counts during or between shifts
• Troubleshooting equipment issues like clogged taps or ice machine malfunctions
• Handling any other tasks that keep service moving smoothly

Essential barback skills and qualifications

Your barback job description needs to be honest about what the role requires. This isn't a job where someone can coast. It's physically demanding, fast-paced, and requires specific skills to succeed.

Physical requirements

Barbacking is physical work:

• Lift and carry heavy items: Full kegs weigh 160 pounds. Cases of liquor and beer aren't light either.
• Stand for long periods: Expect 6-8 hour shifts on your feet with minimal sitting.
• Move quickly in tight spaces: Bars are cramped. Your barback needs to navigate around bartenders, servers, and equipment without slowing anyone down.
• Handle repetitive motions: Washing glasses, carrying ice, restocking bottles. These tasks happen hundreds of times per shift.

Soft skills that matter

• Anticipation: See what's running low and handle it before bartenders ask
• Organization: Track multiple tasks simultaneously without dropping the ball
• Multitasking: Maximize every trip (heading to the walk-in? grab dirty glasses on your way)
• Communication: Call out when you're behind someone, coordinate with staff, stay calm under pressure
• Adaptability: Equipment breaks, rushes hit unexpectedly, pivot without melting down
• Teamwork: Support bartenders, don't compete with them

Experience and education requirements

Barback is an entry-level position, which means you can hire people without restaurant experience and train them up:

• Education: High school diploma or GED is standard, mainly to ensure basic math and reading skills
• Experience: Not required for entry-level hires. Previous restaurant, bar, or hospitality experience is a bonus but not necessary
• Age requirements: Must meet your state's legal age to work in an alcohol-serving establishment. This varies. Some states allow 18+, others require 21+. Check your local laws
• Certifications: Some states require alcohol server training or food handler certifications. Verify what's required in your area before posting the job

Barback salary and compensation

Barbacks typically earn $11-12 per hour as a base wage, with total annual compensation ranging from $17,000 to $35,000 depending on tips, location, and venue type.

Here's how the math works: barbacks usually receive a percentage of bartender tips. Anywhere from 1-2% of total sales or 5-20% of the bartender's tips, depending on your tip-out structure.

What affects barback pay?

• Venue type: A barback at a busy nightclub or upscale cocktail bar will out-earn someone at a slower neighborhood pub
• Location: Minimum wage varies by state and city. Some markets pay $11/hour, others require $15+ to compete
• Tip structure: Some bars pool tips, others use individual tip-outs. Be clear about your system in the job description
• Shift timing: Weekend nights generate more tips than Tuesday lunch shifts

Include the realistic pay range in your barback job description. Transparency prevents mismatched expectations and wasted interviews.

How to write a barback job description

A strong barback job description filters out wrong-fit candidates and attracts people who'll actually show up. Here's how to write one that works.

Start with a clear job overview

Your opening paragraph should answer "what is this job?" in 3-4 sentences. Describe the role, what success looks like, and what kind of person thrives in it.

Example: "We're hiring a barback to support our bartending team during high-volume service. You'll keep the bar stocked, clean, and organized so our bartenders can focus on customers. This role requires physical stamina, attention to detail, and the ability to stay calm when things get chaotic. If you're looking to break into bartending, this is where you start."

List specific responsibilities

Customize the duties for your bar. Get specific about what your barback will actually do:

• Instead of "restock supplies," say "restock our 40-bottle back bar, refill garnish trays for three bar stations, and keep ice wells full during 200+ cover weekend nights"
• Instead of "maintain cleanliness," say "run glassware to our dish pit every 15 minutes during service and keep the bar top clear of debris"

Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves

Must-haves:

• Ability to lift 50+ pounds repeatedly
• Legal age to work in an alcohol-serving establishment
• Availability for nights, weekends, and holidays

Nice-to-haves:

• Previous restaurant or bar experience
• Basic knowledge of beer, wine, and spirits

This prevents scaring off entry-level candidates who lack experience but could be great fits.

Be upfront about schedule and benefits

Include:

• Typical shift times (5pm-2am, for example)
• Days per week (3-5 shifts)
• Weekend and holiday requirements
• Tip-out structure and estimated earnings
• Opportunities to train as a bartender
• Any scheduling flexibility you offer

If you offer shift swaps through an app or flexible time-off requests, mention it. That matters to hourly workers.

{{banner-cta}}

Free barback job description template

Copy and customize this template for your bar. Replace the bracketed sections with your specific details.

Job Title: Barback

About [Your Bar Name]: [Your bar name] is a [describe your venue: high-volume sports bar/craft cocktail lounge/neighborhood pub] located in [location]. We're known for [what makes you unique: our rotating tap list/signature cocktails/live music scene] and we're looking for a reliable barback to join our team.

Position Overview: We're hiring a barback to support our bartending team during [lunch and dinner service/weekend nights/high-volume shifts]. You'll keep the bar stocked, clean, and running smoothly so our bartenders can focus on serving customers. This is a physically demanding role that requires stamina, organization, and the ability to stay calm during busy service.

Responsibilities:

Stocking and inventory

• Restock liquor bottles, beer, wine, mixers, and garnishes throughout your shift
• Change kegs and ensure backup kegs are ready
• Keep ice wells filled during service
• Prep garnishes and juices before service starts
• Put away liquor and beer deliveries

Cleaning and maintenance

• Wipe down bar tops and remove spills immediately
• Collect and wash glassware continuously during service
• Polish wine glasses and ensure they're spot-free
• Mop bar and service areas
• Take out trash and recycling throughout your shift
• Clean bar mats, drip trays, and pour spouts

Support tasks

• Assist bartenders with drink prep during rushes
• Troubleshoot equipment issues (clogged taps, ice machines)
• Communicate between bar, kitchen, and security as needed
• Handle other tasks as assigned to keep service moving

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Must be [18/21+] years old (legal age to work in our state)
• Ability to lift and carry up to [50-160] pounds
• Comfortable standing and moving quickly for [6-8] hour shifts
• Available to work [nights/weekends/holidays]
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work under pressure
• [Any required certifications: food handler card, alcohol server training]

Preferred (but not required):

• Previous restaurant or bar experience
• Basic knowledge of beer, wine, and spirits
• Familiarity with bar equipment and operations

Schedule:

• [Number] shifts per week
• [Shift times: typically 5pm-2am]
• Weekends and holidays required
• [Any scheduling flexibility you offer]

Compensation:

• $[X-X] per hour plus tips
• [Tip-out structure: typically 5-20% of bartender tips or 1-2% of sales]
• Total estimated compensation: $[X-X] annually

Benefits:

• [Shift meals/staff discount]
• [Opportunity to train as a bartender]
• [Paid time off]
• [Health insurance]
• [Other perks]

To Apply: [Send resume to email/apply at website/come in for an interview between X-X hours]

Managing your barback's schedule

Barbacks work when your bar is busiest (nights, weekends, holidays). That makes employee scheduling them trickier than your typical hourly employee.

Coordinating with bartender schedules

Your barback's shifts need to align with your highest-volume bartending shifts. If you schedule a barback during slow Tuesday lunch when one bartender can handle everything, you're wasting labor. If you don't schedule one during Saturday night when three bartenders are drowning, you're losing money.

Look at your sales data to figure out when you actually need barback support. Schedule them for the shifts where bartenders can't keep up on their own (typically Friday and Saturday nights, plus any regular events that drive high volume).

Handling time-off requests and shift coverage

Barbacks call out. It happens. The problem is finding someone to cover a 10pm-3am Saturday shift on four hours' notice.

Build backup into your schedule:

• Cross-train multiple barbacks so you're not dependent on one person
• Keep a list of on-call staff who can cover last-minute shifts
• Consider scheduling an extra barback during your absolute busiest periods

Set clear time-off policies:

• Require advance notice for time-off requests (set your timeline)
• Set blackout dates for major holidays and events
• Let barbacks trade shifts with each other with your approval

Stop playing phone tag every Sunday night trying to cover Monday's shift. Homebase lets your team request time off, swap shifts, and claim open shifts right from their phones, with manager approval built in. Your barbacks coordinate coverage themselves, and you get notifications to approve or deny. No more being the scheduling referee. Try it free.

Frequently asked questions

What does a barback do on a typical shift?

A barback restocks supplies (liquor, beer, mixers, garnishes, ice), changes kegs, washes glassware, cleans bar areas, and supports bartenders with whatever they need during service. They work behind the scenes handling tasks that would otherwise pull bartenders away from customers.

Do barbacks need bartending experience?

No. Barback is an entry-level position and the most common way people break into bartending. You can hire candidates without any bar or restaurant experience and train them. Most barbacks move up to bartending within 6-18 months.

How much do barbacks get tipped?

Barbacks typically receive 5-20% of each bartender's tips or 1-2% of total bar sales, depending on your tip-out structure. At a high-volume bar, this can mean $200-300+ in tips on a busy weekend night, on top of their hourly wage.

What's the difference between a barback and a busser?

Bussers clear tables and reset dining areas for servers. Barbacks support bartenders by restocking bar supplies and maintaining the bar area. Some smaller venues combine these roles, but in most bars they're separate positions with different responsibilities.

Hire the barback your bar actually needs

A good barback job description filters for candidates who understand the work and won't bail after their first Saturday night. Be specific about duties. Be honest about physical demands. Be clear about schedules.

Use the template in this guide. Customize it for your bar. Post it and hire someone who gets it.

Managing your barback's schedule shouldn't mean playing phone tag every Sunday night to cover Monday's shift. Homebase handles scheduling, time tracking, and team communication in one app, so your team can swap shifts and request time off without you playing referee. Try Homebase free and get back to running your bar.

‍