NYC Barback Jobs: September 2024 Job Listings
We’ve selected 11 of the highest-paying Barback jobs in New York City (NYC) that you can apply for right now. Each job offers good pay, extensive job benefits and more.
With about 3,820 bars throughout NYC, the city remains an ideal location for those looking to begin and thrive in the hospitality industry as a Barback.
Top 11 Barback Jobs in NYC, NY
Start your journey by applying for one of these Barback jobs in NYC.
Know that the job description for Barbacks may vary depending on your employer. It’s also not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all possible job functions.
Also, keep in mind that given the nature of the hospitality industry, you may be required to work different schedules to reflect the needs of the establishment. This may include holidays, weekends and overtime.
Average Salary for Barback Jobs in NYC
The average Barback salary in NYC is $31,976 per year plus tips, which is slightly higher than the average nationwide salary of $31,688 per year plus tips. This also translates to an average pay of $15.67 per hour.
Legal Requirements for Barback Jobs in NYC
Barbacks must know and comply with legal requirements in NYC that are designed to ensure the safety and integrity of alcoholic beverage service and maintain professional standards.
Age requirements for Barbacks
In New York State, the minimum age to serve alcohol is 18 years old. While there’s no specific law regarding Barbacks, most establishments exercise caution and use this as the basis.
After all, there may be times when a Barback must directly handle alcoholic drinks — even as minor as opening a beer bottle or pouring wine — especially during peak hours.
Legal hours of operation
Serving or selling alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises — including but not limited to bars and lounges — are restricted from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on weekdays and from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.
Overtime pay for Barbacks
Barbacks in NYC are entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate if they work for more than 40 hours in one workweek.
Calculate your overtime pay with our Overtime Pay Calculator.
Alcohol server training for Barbacks
Barbacks and Bartenders are not mandated by New York State law to have a license or certification. However, some establishments may require their employees to have these to reduce liability risks.
For a breakdown of all other labor regulations in NYC, check out our article on New York Labor Laws.
Barback Jobs NYC FAQ
In most cases, yes. The average base salary for Barbacks in NYC is $31,976 per year, which is higher than the nationwide average of $31,688 per year.
Similar to licensing for Bartenders, Barbacks in New York City do not need an alcohol server’s or food handler’s license/certification.
However, establishments have the right to require their employees to get a license or certification — either upon hiring or during the application process.
Fridays and Saturdays typically have the busiest nights in most NYC drinking establishments, followed by Thursdays.
As a Barback, more customers usually means higher chances of getting tips (whether directly or through a tip-sharing arrangement with other staff).
Selection Criteria for Barback Jobs in NYC
Jobs for this list were selected based on the following criteria:
- Schedule flexibility: There are available part-time and full-time positions you can choose from depending on your availability.
- Comprehensive job benefits: Most Barback job openings offer extensive health care coverage, insurance, employee discounts and more. These make your role more worthwhile beyond your take-home pay.
- Opportunities for career growth: Some jobs offer training and opportunities for promotions and further career growth.
