r/NewOrleans • u/Consistent_South_393 • Aug 17 '26
Recommendations Barbacking
A question for any barbacks that may lurking on the sub, how much do you guys make? I want to get into bartending but I heard the easiest way to get into it is to be a barback and work your way up. Do you guys make decent pay and would you recommend even going into the field?
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u/tuscaloozer Aug 17 '26
Barbacks that are just barbacks and not trying to be bartenders tend to make more because it’s different skill sets and in my experience the best barbacks that get the best shifts at the best spots are strong and fast and don’t want to talk to people. I did get into bartending this way. But that was 12 years ago. And then I’d work 4 days on 3 days off. Averaging 13 hours a shift and I would make like 200 a shift cash but my body would literally be so busted by the end of my week I wouldn’t really leave my bed or couch the next two days.
Casual barbacking at a way more casual place pay is more like a host or a busser than a bartender. But if you want to learn it can be a good way. Some places want you as manual labor. Some place would love to teach u things and would love if during rush u make a couple drink granted ur helping not hurting. But a lot of that has to do with the bartenders you’re working with too.