A barback (sometimes spelled as bar-back, also commonly known as a runner in Europe or a glassy in Australia) is a bartender's assistant. They are responsible for keeping the bar stocked, clean, and user-friendly for the bartender. Barbacks work in nightclubs, bars, pubs, restaurants, and catering halls and usually receive a portion of the bartender's tips. Barbacks are often under the tutelage of a bartender and work their way up to a bartending job.
Although the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, the minimum age to work as a bartender or barback varies from 18 to 21.
See also
- List of public house topics