Barback
Encyclopedia
A barback is a bartender
's assistant. Barbacks work in nightclub
s, bars
, restaurant
s and catering
halls. Barbacks stock the bar with liquor, ice, glassware, beer, garnishes, and so on, and usually receive a portion of the bartender's tips; often around 10% to 20%, or a portion of total sales; from 1.5% to 3%. At high volume bars, this may then be divided if more than one barback was on staff.
Barbacks are often under the tutelage of bartender
s and work their way into the profession. Typically, they are primarily responsible for simplifying a bartender's job. Often, barbacks are responsible for supporting the bartender(s). Dishwashing and bussing tables are also common duties, though much experience in bussing may be required before one earns the position of barback, depending on the type and pace of the bar in question.
In the United States all 50 states share a statewide law establishing, the legal drinking age
at 21. Although the law is not a federal law it is enforced by all 50 states. However, the legal age for working as a bartender or barback varies from 18 to 21http://www.zizzoo.com/guides/bartending/legalage/index.php. In some establishments barbacks may also be responsible for the safety of the bartender. In the province of Ontario, Canada, barbacks must pass the same SmartServe licensing program as bartenders (as with all servers of alcohol, and other related staff in an alcohol serving establishment.)
In high-volume bars and nightclubs, the barback is indispensable - he or she is not only an assistant, but an integral and valued team member. Most nightclub barbacks not only stock and continually re-stock glassware, beer, liquor, ice, mixes, etc., but they also set up and tear down the face of the bar. The barback often starts working hours before the bartender arrives, and is still working for some time after the bartender is done.
In addition, bussing, queueing customers, and acting as a first-response system for bouncers are all parts of a barback's job description. The barback may also be involved with a bar's inventory control; reporting opening / closing levels by weighing liquor bottles & making bottle counts.
Bartender
A bartender is a person who serves beverages behind a counter in a bar, pub, tavern, or similar establishment. A bartender, in short, "tends the bar". The term barkeeper may carry a connotation of being the bar's owner...
's assistant. Barbacks work in nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s, bars
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
, restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s and catering
Catering
Catering is the business of providing foodservice at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house , or other location.-Mobile catering:A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart that is designed for the purpose...
halls. Barbacks stock the bar with liquor, ice, glassware, beer, garnishes, and so on, and usually receive a portion of the bartender's tips; often around 10% to 20%, or a portion of total sales; from 1.5% to 3%. At high volume bars, this may then be divided if more than one barback was on staff.
Barbacks are often under the tutelage of bartender
Bartender
A bartender is a person who serves beverages behind a counter in a bar, pub, tavern, or similar establishment. A bartender, in short, "tends the bar". The term barkeeper may carry a connotation of being the bar's owner...
s and work their way into the profession. Typically, they are primarily responsible for simplifying a bartender's job. Often, barbacks are responsible for supporting the bartender(s). Dishwashing and bussing tables are also common duties, though much experience in bussing may be required before one earns the position of barback, depending on the type and pace of the bar in question.
In the United States all 50 states share a statewide law establishing, the legal drinking age
Legal drinking age
Laws about the legal drinking age cover a wide range of issues and behaviours, addressing when and where alcohol can be consumed. The minimum age alcohol can be legally consumed can be different to the age when it can be purchased. These laws vary among different countries and many laws have...
at 21. Although the law is not a federal law it is enforced by all 50 states. However, the legal age for working as a bartender or barback varies from 18 to 21http://www.zizzoo.com/guides/bartending/legalage/index.php. In some establishments barbacks may also be responsible for the safety of the bartender. In the province of Ontario, Canada, barbacks must pass the same SmartServe licensing program as bartenders (as with all servers of alcohol, and other related staff in an alcohol serving establishment.)
In high-volume bars and nightclubs, the barback is indispensable - he or she is not only an assistant, but an integral and valued team member. Most nightclub barbacks not only stock and continually re-stock glassware, beer, liquor, ice, mixes, etc., but they also set up and tear down the face of the bar. The barback often starts working hours before the bartender arrives, and is still working for some time after the bartender is done.
In addition, bussing, queueing customers, and acting as a first-response system for bouncers are all parts of a barback's job description. The barback may also be involved with a bar's inventory control; reporting opening / closing levels by weighing liquor bottles & making bottle counts.