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

A bar without a barback? Total chaos. Sure, the bartender gets to be the Tom Cruise of the operation—flipping bottles, cracking jokes, and charming the crowd. But let’s be honest, none of that flair works without someone behind the scenes keeping everything stocked and spotless.

So, what is a barback? Think of them as the behind-the-scenes MVP. They’re restocking bottles, lugging ice, swapping out kegs, and wiping down spills before anyone even notices. The barback job is the glue that holds your busiest nights together. That means you need a great barback job description if you want to hire the right fit.

We’re breaking down the barback meaning, barback duties (yes, including dealing with those sticky counters), and how this role compares to bartending. You’ll also get the lowdown on barback salaries, tips, and how to write a barback job description that actually pulls in great candidates. And there’s even a free job description template at the end. So, let’s get started.

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Barback job description: What does a barback do?

What is a barback, exactly?

Think of a barback as the bartender’s right-hand human. They’re the behind-the-scenes powerhouse of any bar operation—restocking booze, hauling kegs, slicing limes, and keeping the ice wells full so the bartender doesn’t have to abandon the shaker mid-margarita.

While the bartender is out front pouring drinks and dazzling the crowd, the barback is working their magic behind the bar—quietly keeping the mayhem under control and the drinks flowing.

Here’s what a typical barback job might include:

• Restocking liquor bottles, beer, and mixers to keep the bar stocked, so bartenders never run dry.
• Prepping garnishes and loading up ice wells before the night gets wild.
• Swapping out kegs like a total boss.
• Polishing glassware, organizing supplies, and clearing empty glasses from the bar.
• Jumping in to help take or deliver orders when things get hectic.
• Chatting with customers when needed—friendly but not the main act.

Think of a barback as the glue that holds the bar together. Their role is hands-on and fast-paced. For someone looking to get their foot in the door and learn the ropes, it’s a rock-solid start in the hospitality world.

Barback vs. Bartender: What’s the difference?

Spoiler alert: barbacks and bartenders aren’t the same job. But, they do work hand-in-hand to keep the bar running like a well-oiled cocktail shaker. If you’re wondering what a barback position really looks like compared to a bartender’s, here’s a side-by-side breakdown.

Main role

Bartender: The face of the bar. They mix drinks, take orders, serve customers, and work the cash register. Basically, if someone’s clinking a glass and saying “cheers,” the bartender made it happen.

Barback: The ultimate support act. A barback’s responsibilities include restocking, prepping, cleaning, and jumping in wherever needed. They keep things running so the bartender can keep pouring. Barbacks are in their element in fast paced environments—they make sure everything runs smoothly even during the busiest times.

Customer interaction

Bartender: Front and center, chatting up customers, answering questions about the cocktail list, and keeping the vibe high.

Barback: More behind-the-scenes, but they’ll still talk with customers every once and a while—especially if someone’s looking for napkins, has a quick question, or needs a fresh glass of water.

Drink preparation

Bartender: Handles the actual mixing, shaking, and pouring. They’re the artists behind your Negroni or espresso martini.

Barback: Preps garnishes, refills ingredients, swaps out kegs, and makes sure everything the bartender needs is within reach. Sometimes they’ll lend a hand with pouring or running drinks—especially on a packed night.

Career path

Bartender: Usually has more experience and certifications. It’s a step up from barbacking and often comes after learning the ropes through hands-on bar experience. Head bartender or moving up to management is usually that next step.

Barback: Entry-level with room to grow. Many great bartenders started in a barback job, soaking up knowledge and earning their way to the other side of the bar.

Earnings

Bartender: Earns a higher hourly wage and typically takes home more tips. They’re the ones customers see—and tip—most often.

Barback: Hourly pay is usually lower, but do barbacks get tips? Yup! They might get a percentage of the bartender’s tips, or be part of a tip pool. It’s not always the same across bars, but the hustle can pay off.

What are the duties of a barback?

So, what do barbacks do? The short answer: everything that keeps the bar from falling apart. Let’s look at the main barback responsibilities that make the magic happen behind the scenes.

Stocking & inventory management

A good barback doesn’t wait until the ice runs out or the limes are gone—they’ve already refilled it. Barback duties include restocking liquor bottles, canned drinks, kegs, ice bins, napkins, straws, and garnishes. They’re also usually the ones keeping an eye on inventory and making sure the bar is prepped for the next shift.

What does a good barback tend to do on shift? Stay one step ahead. They know what’s running low before anyone has to ask.

Cleaning & bar maintenance

Sticky floors and empty glasses don’t exactly scream “great night out.” Barbacks are in charge of keeping the bar clean, safe, and looking good. That includes bussing tables, washing glassware, cleaning spills, and handling any broken glass with ninja-speed precision.

In some venues—especially restaurants or hotel bars—barback duties can also include clearing plates or delivering food. Basically, if it needs doing, a barback’s probably on it.

Helping bartenders during service

Barbacks and bartenders are a tag team. During service, barbacks back up the bartenders however they can—prepping garnishes, grabbing bottles, jumping in to take orders, or just making sure the bartender has everything they need to keep the drinks flowing.

Handling equipment & kegs

Let’s talk about muscle. One of the most physically demanding barback duties is handling heavy equipment—think swapping kegs, hauling buckets of ice, and lifting cases of beer or liquor.

Carrying a full keg up a narrow staircase without breaking a sweat? That’s on the barback. (Okay, maybe a little sweat.) But safety matters here too, so barbacks need to be trained on how to lift and move things properly.

Closing duties and end-of-shift tasks

Just because the last drink’s been poured doesn’t mean a barback’s night is over. Closing time is when the real behind-the-scenes magic happens—and the way a barback wraps up a shift can make or break how smooth things go tomorrow.

Here’s what a solid closing shift looks like:

• Clean and sanitize everything: Wipe down the bar, sanitize surfaces, run the glassware through the dishwasher, sweep the floors—leave it spotless. A clean bar isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a health and safety must (and your bartenders will thank you tomorrow).
• Restock like a pro: No one wants to start a shift only to realize they’re out of lime wedges or whiskey. Barbacks reload the shelves and fridges—liquor bottles, kegs, mixers, garnishes—so the next crew can hit the ground running.
• Stay on top of inventory: Take stock, count what’s left, and flag anything that’s running low. If something’s off, let the bar manager know so it can be handled before it becomes a problem.
• Lock it down: Secure bottles, tap systems, and any high-value gear. Make sure everything’s safely stored and shut down properly. You’re the last line of defense before the lights go out.
• Plan ahead: A great barback doesn’t just close out—they set up the next shift for success. That might mean checking tomorrow’s schedule, double-checking duties, or lining up supplies.

Essential skills every barback needs to crush their shift

Being a barback isn’t just hauling kegs and wiping counters—it’s a full-on skill set that keeps the bar running when things get busy (and let’s be real, they always do). Here’s what separates a decent barback from a great one:

Solid communication skills

You’ve got to stay in sync with bartenders, servers, and sometimes even customers. Whether you’re relaying drink orders, flagging a low stock, or jumping in to help during a rush, clear, quick communication keeps the chaos under control.

Customer service that doesn’t feel forced

Even if you're not pouring drinks, you’re still part of the experience. A friendly, approachable vibe helps create that welcoming atmosphere guests remember—and come back for.

Grace under pressure

Bars get wild, especially on weekends or during events. A barback who can stay cool, juggle tasks, and move fast without getting overwhelmed is worth their weight in top-shelf tequila.

Next-level organization

You’re not just restocking—you’re staying ahead of what the bar needs before anyone has to ask. That means keeping things tidy, managing time well, and always being two steps ahead.

Working knowledge of bar operations

You don’t need to know every cocktail on the menu, but you should understand how a bar works—from inventory and restocking to prepping garnishes and keeping the drink line moving. The smoother you are behind the scenes, the better the bar runs.

Physical stamina

Let’s not sugarcoat it: this job is physical. You’ll be lifting kegs, moving boxes, loading ice, and doing it all again tomorrow. Being in decent shape—and not afraid to hustle—is part of the deal.

Team-first attitude

You’re not flying solo here. A great barback is tight with the team, always ready to jump in where needed, and focused on making sure the whole shift runs smooth, not just their own corner.

Positive vibes and a solid work ethic

No one likes working with someone who complains all night. The best barbacks show up with a good attitude, pitch in without being asked, and are always ready to learn and step up.

Barback salary & tips: How much do they make?

Barbacks might not be the ones pouring the drinks, but they still bring home a solid paycheck and maybe a few tips to sweeten the deal.

Average hourly wage

On average, barbacks in the U.S. earn around $15.16 an hour according to Indeed. Not too bad for a role that’s usually entry-level. Of course, the establishment plays a big role here. Barbacks in big cities or high-end cocktail lounges might make more than someone working the local dive. (No shade to dive bars. We love a jukebox.)

Tips

Do barbacks get tips? In many places—yup. While the bartender usually takes home the lion’s share, barbacks get a cut of the tip pool. It’s a nice little bonus that rewards teamwork and hustle. The exact amount varies, but if your barback is on the floor restocking, wiping spills, and hauling kegs like a champ, they’re probably earning it.

Annual salary estimate

If you’re wondering what that adds up to over the year, the average annual barback salary lands at $30,324, according to Indeed. That number can climb with experience, a busy bar, or a generous tip-out structure. Add on the fact that the role that puts employees on the path to bartending (and beyond).

How to hire a great barback

Hiring the right barback is like finding the perfect cocktail garnish—not always easy, but totally worth it.

Start by writing a clear barback job description that lays out exactly what the role involves (don’t worry, we’ve got a template coming up). Highlight what your bar has to offer, whether it’s a fun team, flexible shifts, or growth opportunities behind the bar.

When it comes to interviews, focus less on experience and more on hustle. The ideal barback isn’t just someone who knows their way around a keg, it’s someone who’s eager to learn, happy to pitch in, and cool under pressure when things get busy.

Looking for bonus points? Ask them how they’d handle a wild Saturday night rush. Their answer should tell you everything you need to know.

Barback job description template

Hiring a barback for your team? Here’s a handy template to help you create a great barback job description—to make hiring easier than replacing a tapped-out keg.

Job Title:
Barback

Summary:
We’re looking for a fast-moving, detail-loving barback to keep our bar running like clockwork. If you’re a team player with a strong back and a good sense of humor, we want you behind the scenes (and sometimes front and center).

Responsibilities:

• Restock booze, beer, ice, garnishes, and bar tools
• Keep the bar area clean, organized, and clutter-free
• Assist bartenders during busy shifts (yes, you might be slicing limes while sprinting for a keg)
• Clean glassware and help close down at the end of the night
• Handle equipment like a pro—think kegs, crates, and anything heavy that needs hauling
• Jump in to help with guests when needed

Requirements:

• Must be of legal age to handle and serve alcohol 
• Ability to lift and carry heavy items (up to 50 lbs)—this is a hands-on job
• Flexible schedule with availability on nights and weekends
• A positive attitude, team spirit, and a strong work ethic
• Previous experience is great, but not required—we’ll train the right person

Hire the best barbacks with the least amount of stress

Writing the job post is just the beginning. Once those applications start pouring in, you’ve got interviews to schedule, resumes to review, messages to send—and probably a full bar to run.

That’s where Homebase comes in.

Our all-in-one hiring and team management software keeps things smooth behind the scenes. Track applicants in one place, ask pre-screening questions to weed out bad fits, and message candidates directly in the app (no lost emails, no ghosting).

Still struggling with the job description? We’ve got customizable templates to help you attract the right people—and fast. Once you’ve found the one, send offer letters, kick off onboarding, and drop them into your schedule without that new hire stress.

And speaking of schedules? Homebase makes that part easy too. Build your bar schedule, send updates to your team, and keep the whole place running all on one platform.

Try Homebase for free and take the chaos out of hiring your next barback.

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