Barback Job Description Template

Barback placing bottles behind a bar

Running the bar area efficiently is important to the success of any hospitality establishment. As with most fast-paced service environments, it takes a team of professionals that know how to pair speed with quality to ensure exceptional customer experiences. A barback is a key member of a successful bar team, and writing a clear, appealing barback job description will help you attract qualified candidates.

Generally, the barback position is a bartender’s assistant whose job is to help bartenders keep service running smoothly. As part of the front of the house staff, barbacks may also interact with customers when the bartender is busy with other tasks.

This sample barback job description provides a general framework, along with a few specific content suggestions for crafting a stand-out listing. Mix and match elements of the template to customize it according to your requirements.

Barback placing bottles behind a bar

Barback

[Intro Paragraph] The introduction of the barback job description is where you give a quick snapshot of the company. Write about your bar or restaurant’s theme, cuisine, size of the establishment, and dining style. However, the specific duties vary from business to business, so owners and hiring managers should be sure to include those tasks along with the standard catch-all responsibilities common to the barback job.

Be sure to include what makes your business stand out, and the overall values and culture. Use these three to four sentences to highlight any awards your establishment has received, popular dining app ratings, community involvement, and philanthropy activities. Finally, this section of the job description is a great place to give the applicant a taste of your company’s personality by using language as a way of communication company culture.

Barback Job Responsibilities:

The day-to-day activities of a barback will vary by establishment, but they typically include:

  • Restocking liquor bottles and changing kegs.
  • Learning cocktail recipes and other menu items.
  • Cleaning bar and table surfaces throughout the shift.
  • Wiping down chairs, railings, and other high-touch surfaces.
  • Removing and disposing of bags from trash receptacles in and around the bar area.
  • Removing used glassware are other utensils from customers’ table during their stay.
  • Sweeping and mopping in and around bar service areas and customer common areas.
  • Answering customer questions and routing customer complaints to the appropriate staff member.
  • Assisting bartenders with taking customer orders and processing orders in the point-of-sale system during peak business hours.
  • Stocking bar items such as glassware, straws, toothpicks, napkins, garnishes, ice, towels, and cleaning supplies (this may include restocking for bar opening or closing).
  • Ensuring that taps, coolers, and other appliances like blenders or coffee makers are working properly; troubleshooting simple malfunctions as needed.

[Work Hours & Benefits]: In most cases, the barback’s hours mirror those of the bartender, with responsibility for opening and closing bar activities during their shift. Early mornings and late nights are typical in the restaurant and bar industry, so be clear about expectations and unconventional hours (i.e., weekends only, dinner only, or open 24-hours a day). Some of the other benefits to highlight in the barback job description include:

  • Holiday work requirement
  • Paid leave benefits
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Free or discounted food and beverages during a shift
  • Family discounts
  • Employee appreciation days
  • Room for advancement

Barback Qualifications/Skills: Barback is an entry-level position. Because of this, they’re often hired without any previous restaurant or hospitality experience. People who apply for barback jobs often use the position as training ground for becoming a bartender. Use the following list of qualifications and skills as a starting point, but don’t forget to include any that are specific to your bar.

  • High-school graduate with basic math and computer skills
  • Ability to lift heavy items (20 pounds or more)
  • Walking and standing for extended period of times (over an hour)
  • Team player who coordinates well with others
  • Ability to work under pressure in a high-paced environment
  • Punctual
  • Basic knowledge of beer, liquors, and flavor profiles

[Call to Action]: In this last part of job description, give the potential candidate instructions for completing the application press. Instruct the candidate to apply via an online portal or to send an email with a cover letter and resume attached. If you plan to host on-site hiring events, include a list of what to bring and how to prepare the interview.

Use Your Barback Job Description to Tap into the Right Candidates

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