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February 28, 2008
As a bartender I know I need a reality check every now and then. If you are working in what most consider a “hotspot” then you are familiar with high volume, a fun atmosphere, and most agree the money is nothing to sneeze at. However, do not underestimate the power of the barback! When it comes down to it, your skill and personality does make a difference in regards to sales, but your barback can truly make or break you!
Of course all bartenders know their clientele; therefore preparation before your shift is usually a no brainer. However, when you find yourself in a situation and your par level is not quite “up to par”, you are now at the mercy of your bar back.
For those of you who have treated your barback with respect, and have taken care of him or her with the proper “tip-out”, you truly can sit back and relax no worries! But, for those of you who have been unappreciative and cheap or have even skated on the “tip-out” know you need to start resorting to “Plan B.” This usually means offering the customer an alternative to their drink of choice (that can go either way), and sometimes resulting in losing the sale all together.
This is why I always take care of my barback! When faced with a liquor or Champagne bottle sale, guess who I have to look to? And if he/she does not return within due time the potential sale could be lost (along with a lucrative tip), despite how entertaining I may be!
I must admit I have not always been the “model bartender”, along with being guilty of not knowing my barback. Although, once I got over myself my barback and I became very close and work got a lot easier. Interesting enough…I can count on my barback more than security at times. Don’t get me wrong security is great (allow me to voice my disclaimer), unless an attractive woman should happen to pass by. Consequently this is when my bar back becomes my hero! When security becomes consumed with a long-legged beauty and I can not make a sale (due to the crowd blocking my bar), I give my bar back a wink, and in 10 seconds flat I’m back to work! So…hats off to the barbacks, and bartenders let’s start showing them some appreciation!
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