Barback - The Peacock

Proper Hospitality; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Proper Hotel & Residences seeks a Barback to support bartenders and maintain a clean, well-stocked bar on a bustling luxury property. You will prepare the bar area, assist with drink orders, and help ensure top-notch guest service in a fast-paced setting.

The role emphasizes teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask while maintaining high hygiene and safety standards in a premier hospitality environment operated by Proper Hospitality.

Qualifications

• Strong work ethic and reliability in a fast-paced bar environment.
• Basic understanding of drink preparation and bar operations is helpful but not required.
• Ability to maintain cleanliness and organization at all times.

Responsibilities

• Bar Support & Organization: Keep bar stocked with liquor, mixers, garnishes, glassware, napkins, and supplies.
• Assistance with Drink Preparation: Help bartenders with garnishes, opening bottles, pouring non-alcoholic drinks, and simple drinks.
• Inventory Management & Stocking: Monitor inventory and restock to prevent shortages.
• Guest Interaction & Service Support: Engage with guests and assist with requests, ensuring timely service.
• Bar Maintenance & Cleanliness: Clean and sanitize bar equipment and surfaces.
• Work alongside bartenders to ensure smooth service throughout the shift.

Skills

Fast-paced environment

Guest service

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Food & beverage know-how

Multitasking

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Situated in Downtown’s Second Street District, Austin Proper Hotel and Residences is an iconic luxury destination just steps from Lady Bird Lake, ACL Live, and the city’s best shopping. With expressive interiors by Kelly Wearstler and culinary concepts by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality, the hotel offers 238 design-forward rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, immersive wellness experiences, and menus built around local farms, vibrant produce, and nutrient-rich ingredients. Wellness, design, and culture, seamlessly woven into every stay.

The Peacock Mediterranean Grill is Austin Proper Hotel’s ground floor restaurant and lobby bar, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as in-room dining. The menu draws inspiration from Mediterranean traditions, offering colorful, loosely plated dishes that are wholesome, vibrant, and made for sharing, all prepared without seed oils for a lighter, cleaner dining experience. In the lobby, the sprawling bar offers a full dining experience across indoor and outdoor lounge areas, while guests can also enjoy views of Shoal Creek from the Peacock’s patio and private dining room balcony.

Job Summary:

The Barback plays a crucial supporting role in the bar, ensuring that bartenders have everything they need to deliver excellent service to guests. You will assist in maintaining a clean and organized bar, stock supplies, and provide support to the bartenders by preparing the bar area and helping with drink orders when necessary. This position requires a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Bar Support & Organization:
  • Ensure that the bar is fully stocked with liquor, mixers, garnishes, glassware, napkins, and other necessary supplies.
  • Replenish bar supplies throughout the shift, anticipating the needs of bartenders and ensuring smooth service.
  • Clean and sanitize the bar area, including countertops, floors, and bar tools, ensuring all areas are organized and ready for service.
  • Assist in preparing the bar for opening and cleaning up at the end of the shift, ensuring all equipment is properly stored and the bar is clean and ready for the next service.
• Assistance with Drink Preparation:
  • Support bartenders by preparing garnishes, opening bottles of wine, pouring non-alcoholic drinks, or making simple drinks under the guidance of the bartender.
  • Assist with the preparation of drink orders when the bar is busy, ensuring quick turnaround times for guests.
  • Maintain an efficient workflow by helping to clear empty glasses and dishes from the bar area.
• Inventory Management & Stocking:
  • Monitor inventory levels throughout the shift, making sure stock is organized and readily available for bartenders.
  • Assist with restocking and rotating liquor, mixers, and bar supplies to ensure freshness and prevent shortages.
  • Help track inventory levels and assist in ordering supplies when needed, ensuring no item runs out during service.
• Guest Interaction & Service Support:
  • Engage with guests in a friendly and professional manner when necessary, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported.
  • Assist bartenders with guest requests and ensure all orders are delivered in a timely manner.
  • Monitor guests at the bar and assist with clearing empty glasses and providing napkins or straws to improve their experience.
• Bar Maintenance & Cleanliness:
  • Maintain cleanliness of all bar equipment, including glassware, utensils, blenders, and bar tools.
  • Follow sanitation standards and ensure health and safety regulations are met in the bar area.
  • Clean spills or messes quickly and efficiently to ensure a safe, clean environment for staff and guests.
• Work alongside bartenders and other bar staff to ensure smooth, efficient service throughout the shift.
• Assist other team members as needed to support the overall bar experience and customer satisfaction.
• Participate in team meetings and training to improve your skills and knowledge of drink recipes and bar operations.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous experience in a similar role or within the hospitality or service industry is a plus.
• A basic understanding of drink preparation and bar operations is helpful but not required.

Skills/Specialized Knowledge

• Strong ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, multitasking while maintaining a focus on quality and cleanliness.
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests and team members, providing friendly and helpful service.
• Attention to detail and ability to anticipate the needs of bartenders and guests.
• Physical stamina to perform various tasks, including standing for long periods, lifting heavy items, and moving quickly between tasks.
• Ability to work well in a team and assist in creating a positive, high-energy bar atmosphere.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and move around the bar for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy items (up to 50 pounds).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, particularly during peak service hours.
• Ability to bend, reach, and stoop to access storage areas and restock supplies.

Why Join Proper Hospitality

At Proper, we build experiences that move people — and that begins with the team behind them. As a best-in-class employer, we’re committed to creating one of the Best Places to Work in hospitality by nurturing a culture where creativity, excellence, and humanity thrive together.

Everything we do is grounded in the belief that hospitality is more than a profession - it’s an opportunity to care for others and make lives better. Guided by the Pillars of Proper, we show up with warmth and authenticity (Care Proper), strive for excellence in everything we do (Achieve Proper), think creatively and resourcefully (Imagine Proper), and take pride in the style and culture that make us who we are (Present Proper).

We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we invest deeply in their wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. From comprehensive benefits to meaningful development programs, Proper is designed to help you build a career, and a life, that feels as inspiring as the experiences we create for our guests.

Our Commitment: Building the Best Place to Work

Our Best Place to Work initiative is a living commitment — a continuous investment in our people, our culture, and our purpose. We listen, learn, and evolve together to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to imagine boldly, achieve confidently, care deeply, and present themselves authentically.

At Proper, joining the team means more than finding a job — it means joining a community that believes in building beautiful experiences together, for our guests and for one another.

Proper Hospitality is an equal-opportunity employer. We provide employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other federally or state-protected category.

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with local Fair Chance Hiring Ordinances.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.