Position: Bar Back
Department: Food & Beverage
Reports To: Food & Beverage Management Team
Employment Type: Full-Time
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Barback supports bartenders and the beverage team in delivering an elevated, efficient, and seamless guest experience. Working in a luxury hotel restaurant and bar, the Barback is responsible for maintaining fully stocked, clean, and organized bar areas while assisting with beverage service and ensuring the highest standards of hospitality, cleanliness, and professionalism.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support bartenders by stocking liquor, beer, wine, mixers, garnishes, glassware, ice, and other bar supplies.
- Maintain clean, organized, and well-stocked bar stations throughout each shift.
- Assist with preparing garnishes, syrups, juices, and other beverage ingredients according to established standards.
- Replenish ice, glassware, napkins, straws, and service supplies as needed.
- Collect and properly wash, polish, and store glassware.
- Clear empty bottles, dishes, and other items from the bar and service areas.
- Assist bartenders with guest orders and beverage preparation while maintaining service efficiency.
- Maintain cleanliness of bar equipment, counters, floors, refrigerators, storage areas, and other workspaces.
- Receive, organize, rotate, and properly store beverage products and supplies.
- Assist with opening and closing duties, including restocking and securing the bar.
- Follow all food safety, sanitation, alcohol-service, and hotel operating standards.
- Communicate effectively with bartenders, servers, kitchen staff, supervisors, and other hotel departments.
- Respond promptly and professionally to guest needs when appropriate.
- Assist with special events, private functions, banquets, and high-volume service periods.
- Maintain a polished appearance and professional demeanor consistent with luxury hospitality standards.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by management.
OTHER:
- Regular attendance in conformance with the standards, which may be established from time to time, is essential to the successful performance of this position. Employees with irregular attendance will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
- Due to the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the hotel. This includes days, evenings and holidays. In addition, attendance at all scheduled training sessions and meetings is required.
- Upon employment, all employees are required to fully comply with The Townsend Hotel rules and regulations for the safe and effective operation of the hotel’s facilities. Employees who violate hotel rules and regulations will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Previous barback, bartender, restaurant, hotel, or hospitality experience preferred.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills.
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to lift and carry beverage cases, kegs, ice, glassware, and other supplies safely.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
- Knowledge of basic bar terminology and beverage service is preferred.
- Must comply with applicable age and alcohol-service requirements.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Most work tasks are performed indoors. Temperature generally is moderate and controlled by hotel environmental systems; however, must be able to work in extreme temperatures like freezers (-10°F) and kitchens (+110°F), possibly for one hour or more.
- Ability to distinguish product quality, taste, texture and presentation and observe preparation.
- Must be able to exert well-paced ability to maneuver between functions occurring simultaneously in multiple outlets.
- Must be able to exert well-paced ability in limited space and to reach other departments of the hotel on a timely basis.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally.
- May be required to lift trays of food or food items weighing up to 30 lbs.
- Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with guests, supervisors and subordinates.
- Must be able to bend, stoop, squat and stretch to fulfill cleaning tasks occasionally.
This Job Description is intended to provide a general overview of the tasks, duties and responsibilities with the position identified below. Although an individual employed in this position is expected to perform all of the functions mentioned above, differences may exist depending on the specific location where an individual may be working.
