Barback

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A barback is a bartender's assistant. Barbacks work in nightclubs, bars, restaurants 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; usually a 15% - 20% share.

Barbacks are often under the tutelage of bartenders and work their way into the profession. Typically, they are primarily responsible for simplifying a bartender's job. Often, barbacks are responsible for supporting bartenders in pouring beers, wines, and simple mixed drinks, while learning the more complex varieties of drinks, such as cocktails. 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 & pace of bar in question.

In most parts of the United States, the legal age for working as a bartender is 18[1], however, barbacks may be under this age. 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 indispensible - 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., 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.