Is being a bar back easy?

Asked by: Albina Muller  |  Last update: August 3, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (72 votes)

As a barback you'll be expected to do most of the manual work behind the bar, like cleaning, restocking, and a lot of heavy-lifting. The barback is essentially the bartender's assistant, which puts you in a great position to learn and observe. Working as a barback isn't easy, but it provides a lot of benefits.

Is bar back a hard job?

During peak hours, food service venues are often busy, fast-paced environments. Barbacks may face high social and physical demands while handling requests from customers and their staff team. They often work late evenings, weekends and holidays, and many of these positions hire on a part-time basis.

Is it easy to be a barback?

There's going to be a learning curve to becoming a bartender, and it might be a tough one. Restaurant and bar hours are long, hectic and heated, so the first few weeks might take a bit of toll. A barback needs to be patient and open to learning when starting the job.

Is being a barback a good job?

In the USA, barbacks are usually paid minimum wage but will often get a portion of the bartenders tips. Typically you'll either receive a percentage of the bartenders' total tips, or a percentage of total sales. Depending on the bar and market, barbacks can make very good money!

What is it like working as a bar back?

Barbacks are the equivalent of a busser, except in the bar environment rather than the kitchen environment. The barback makes sure that bartenders have everything they need (like glasses, garnishes, stocked bottles, fresh kegs) at all times.

Barback Basics

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Do bar backs make a lot of money?

Salary.com reports that the average barback salary is $11 an hour, and they cite a range between $10 and $12 an hour. If working full-time, $11/hour is about $22,000 annually. Comparably.com reports that barbacks earn between $16,950 and $37,400 annually, with a national average salary of $24,523.

What is the life of a barback?

They're on their feet all day moving around the restaurant. They can be seen lifting heavy beer kegs and moving cases of liquor bottles up and down the stairs. Barbacks are commonly paid tipped minimum wage and receive a tip out directly from bartenders (usually 1–2% of sales or 5–20% of tips).

How do barbacks get tips?

Yes, barbacks get tips. They don't get tips directly from guests, though. They get a percentage of the bartender's tips, which is called a “tip out.” The barback tip out percentage is either 1–3% of total sales or 10–20% of total tips.

Should I be a barback or server?

If you don't have any experience, but don't mind lifting kegs, you might want to start as a barback. If you're great with people, but don't want to handle some of the responsibilities bartenders and barbacks have, consider host and server positions.

What does a barback not do?

While barbacks do not typically make drinks or take orders from customers, they have to practice many of the same skills that a good bartender has: efficiency, organization, the ability to multitask, and keen observation.

How can I be a faster barback?

Just like any job, the key to flying fast behind the bar is keeping a neat and tidy workstation. Make sure that all bottles are filled and garnishes are stocked before a shift and that every tool you'll need is in reach, particularly components of top-selling cocktails. “Be organized and consistent,” says Sawyer.

Can barbacks make drinks?

What is a Barback? This is a junior role for someone who wants to work as a barista, bartender or even bar manager, in the future. Barbacks usually undertake simple tasks and mainly support the more experienced bar staff before they're able to take orders, serve customers and mix drinks without supervision.

Are there girl barbacks?

There are over 8,513 bar backs currently employed in the United States. 11.0% of all bar backs are women, while 89.0% are men. The average bar back age is 38 years old.

Do servers make more than barbacks?

It's the same thing for bartenders, except they generally make a higher wage, usually $2-$3.00 per hour more than servers do.

How do I prepare for a bar back interview?

Interview Questions for Barbacks:
  1. What is your experience with food and drink preparation? Provide specific examples. ...
  2. Describe how to open and close our business. ...
  3. Which of our current menu items is your favorite? ...
  4. What is your favorite cocktail? ...
  5. How would you ensure the bar area runs smoothly during peak hours?

What is the hardest part of being a bartender?

The Challenges of Bartending

Firstly, it can be physically demanding, especially during busy shifts or when we need to lift heavy boxes or kegs. Secondly, it can be mentally exhausting, as we need to remember drink recipes, handle difficult customers, and deal with unexpected situations.

What is a good barback resume?

How to write a barback resume
  • Review the job description. Before writing your resume, review the description for the open role. ...
  • Study the company. ...
  • Provide your contact information. ...
  • Give a professional summary. ...
  • Discuss your work experience. ...
  • List skills and strengths. ...
  • Add your education. ...
  • End with your certifications.

Is serving harder than bartending?

People are Annoying

When you're serving, it's easy to walk away from a creepy customer or someone that won't shut up. When you're stuck behind the bar, it's way harder to escape. You'll see the same faces over and over again, some of which you may not love. Have you been both a bartender and a server?

Is a barback a bartender?

A bar-back or barback (commonly known as a runner in Europe or a glassy in Australia) is a bartender's assistant. Bar-backs work in nightclubs, bars, pubs, restaurants, and catering halls, and usually receive a portion of the bartender's tips.

Do barbacks pour cocktails?

Assisting Bartenders

This involves tasks such as bussing tables, collecting empty glasses, and preparing garnishes for drinks. The barback may also be responsible for pouring beer and wine, preparing simple cocktails, and serving non-alcoholic beverages.

How much does the average bartender get in tips a day?

According to Indeed, the average bartender in the U.S. makes $150 per day in tips. The amount of tip money a bartender will make in one night is directly related to the pricing/clientele at that establishment and how many customers they serve.

Is it bad to not tip a bartender?

He said this lack of tipping is fueled by customers believing the bartender didn't do enough to merit the extra cash by simply pouring a drink. “My advice is to tip your bartender or barista, no matter what you ordered,” he said. “They appreciate it more than you know.”

How do you put barback on a resume?

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Barback with five years of experience. Skilled at assisting a team of bartenders in busy restaurant environments. Efficient and organized when maintaining bar stock. Charged with ordering supplies to keep bar and restrooms well-stocked.

What is under bar?

It refers to the area under the front bar of the bartender's side. The under bar should be designed keeping in mind the kind of drinks to be made, equipment required, and mixes needed for the drinks. In other words, work flow must be considered while designing the under bar.

What is the job description of a bartender?

Bartenders, or Mixologists, mix and serve alcoholic beverages based on customer requests. Their duties include verifying the identification and age of customers, preparing and serving alcoholic beverages, accepting payment from customers, cleaning glasses and bar utensils and balancing cash receipts to record sales.