Introduction
In the bustling world of bars, there's a vital yet often overlooked role that keeps everything running smoothly: the barback. If you've ever sat at a bar and marveled at the seamless operations, you've likely witnessed the work of a barback. Let's delve into what a barback does, their essential role in a bar's success, and how aspiring barbacks can carve out their path in the industry.
What is a Barback?
A barback, sometimes referred to as a bar assistant, works as support staff in bars and nightclubs. Their main duty is to support bartenders in keeping the bar operating efficiently. Barbacks carry out a number of duties, such as restocking liquor, replacing garnishes, shining glasses, and assisting with bar cleaning.
How to Hire a Barback — and How to be a Great One
One of the most important steps in making sure a bar runs well is hiring a barback. An excellent barback can have a big impact on the effectiveness and prosperity of the establishment. Similar to this, a strong work ethic, attitude, and set of abilities are necessary to be a great barback. Here are some pointers for selecting a barback and becoming an excellent one:
How to Hire a Barback
Define the Role: Clearly define the responsibilities and duties of the barback role. This will help you attract candidates who understand the expectations of the position.
Post the Job: Use job boards, social media, and industry-specific websites to advertise the job opening. Networking within the industry can also help you find qualified candidates.
Screen Candidates: Review resumes and conduct interviews to assess candidates' skills, experience, and fit for the role. Look for candidates who demonstrate a strong work ethic, good communication skills, and a positive attitude.
Provide Training: Once you've hired a barback, provide them with thorough training on the responsibilities and duties of the role, as well as any specific procedures or protocols unique to your bar.
Set Expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations for the barback role, including performance standards, work hours, and any other relevant policies or guidelines.
How to be a Great Barback
Be Reliable: Show up to work on time and ready to work. A great barback is dependable and can be counted on to fulfill their responsibilities.
Communicate Effectively: Maintain open communication with bartenders and other staff members. This includes asking for help when needed and keeping everyone informed of any issues or concerns.
Be Proactive: Anticipate the needs of bartenders and the bar. Stay one step ahead by restocking supplies, cleaning up spills, and assisting with customer orders without being asked.
Work Efficiently: Be organized and efficient in your work. This includes prioritizing tasks, managing your time effectively, and working quickly and accurately.
Be a Team Player: Work well with others and contribute to a positive team environment. Offer to help your coworkers when needed and be willing to take on additional responsibilities.
Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude, even during busy or stressful times. A great barback is able to stay calm under pressure and keep morale high among the team.
How to Find a Great Barback
Finding a great barback requires using a variety of approaches to draw in eligible applicants. Using websites, job boards, and social media to promote the position is one efficient way to do this. Potential candidates can also be found via attending events, contacting industry contacts, and networking within the field. Expanding the search can also involve reaching out to the neighborhood through community forums, message boards, and newspapers. It can also be advantageous to reward successful staff referrals with incentives. The search pool can be further increased by using internet resources and hiring firms that focus on the hospitality sector. All things considered, a thorough method incorporating these tactics can assist in locating a fantastic barback who can support the bar or nightclub's prosperity.
How To Write a Great Barback Job Description
Creating an outstanding job description for a barback is essential to luring in eligible applicants. Start by stating the role's specific duties and obligations, such as helping bartenders, replenishing supplies, cleaning the bar area, and keeping your workstation tidy. Name any prerequisites that must be met, such as physical endurance, the capacity for effective communication, and the capacity to perform under pressure. Emphasize any distinctive features of your bar or nightclub, such a lively atmosphere or exclusive drink selections. To ensure that candidates know exactly what is expected of them in the role, be sure to include information regarding work hours, benefits, and any other pertinent factors.
What are a Barback's Responsibilities and Duties?
Before Service Barback Tasks: Arriving on time, changing into a barback uniform, checking liquor levels, prepping garnishes, filling ice bins, and stocking bar supplies.
During Service Barback Tasks: Restocking liquor bottles, wiping down counters, bringing dirty glasses to the dishwasher, running drinks to tables, and assisting bartenders with customer orders.
After Service Barback Tasks: Cleaning counters, taking out trash, polishing glasses, restocking bar supplies, and completing closing duties.
Weekly or Bi-Weekly Barback Tasks: Assisting with cleaning keg lines, sanitizing cutting boards, cleaning the ice machine, and assisting with deep cleans of the bar area.
What is a Barback Job like?
Barback jobs are fast-paced and dynamic, therefore candidates must be flexible and adaptive. Barbacks are in charge of helping servers and making sure everything runs smoothly at the bar. This entails doing things like replenishing supplies, picking up empty dishes and glasses, sterilizing the bar area, and helping with orders from customers. Barbacks frequently work in hectic times when the bar is packed, therefore they must be able to perform well under pressure.
To make sure the bar operates well, they must also be able to communicate clearly with bartenders and other staff members. Barbacks can also have the chance to learn about bartending and obtain experience in the hospitality sector, which makes it a great first step for anyone looking to work in the industry. All things considered, working as a barback may be hard yet rewarding, providing significant experience and abilities in a fast-paced, dynamic atmosphere.
How Much Are Barbacks Paid?
Generally speaking, barbacks are paid on an hourly basis; however, this can change based on a number of variables, including location, experience, and kind of establishment. The national average annual take-home pay range for barbacks is estimated by Glassdoor to be between $30,000 and $47,000, with $12,000 to $22,000 in tips, for a total annual income of $42,000 to $69,000. These numbers, however, can differ significantly depending on the particulars of the bar or nightclub. Furthermore, certain bars might provide additional benefits like paid time off or healthcare, which could have an impact on the whole compensation package for barbacks.
Training a New Barback
To make sure a new barback understands their role and responsibilities, training is crucial. Give a thorough rundown of the bar's operations to begin with, including how the equipment is used, where supplies are stored, and how the bar is laid out. Perform activities including replenishing supplies, wiping down tables, and helping bartenders take drink orders. Encourage them to ask questions and offer constructive criticism so they can grow. Give them opportunity to exercise their abilities and progressively raise their responsibilities as they gain expertise. In a bar atmosphere, it's equally critical to stress the value of cooperation and communication. You may assist new barbacks in becoming valued team members by giving them comprehensive training and assistance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, barbacks play a crucial role in the smooth operation of a bar or nightclub. Their responsibilities include preparing the bar before service, assisting during service, and cleaning up after service. Barbacks work in a fast-paced environment and must be able to multitask and communicate effectively. They are typically paid an hourly wage, which can vary depending on location and experience. Training a new barback involves providing them with a comprehensive overview of the bar's operations and gradually increasing their responsibilities as they gain experience. Overall, barbacks are an essential part of the hospitality industry, ensuring that customers have a positive experience and that the bar runs smoothly.
