Barback Jobs in Montréal
Barbacking is the apprenticeship for bartending. You keep the bar alive during a rush — ice, glassware, kegs, garnish — and in exchange you learn the well and get first call on the next bartending shift that opens.
Also called: bar support, bar back, commis de bar
1 openings in the app
Open on Waldo
1 shown
What it pays in Montréal
Québec minimum wage is $16.60 an hour, and $13.30 an hour for employees who receive tips, in effect since May 1, 2026.
What the job involves
- Keep ice, glassware, garnish and mixers stocked through service
- Change kegs, restock bottles and haul cases from the cellar
- Cut fruit, make syrups and set up the bar before doors
- Clear glasses, wipe down and support bartenders at speed
- Break down the bar and handle closing cleaning
Who hires for this role
- Bars
- Nightclubs
- Restaurants
- Hotels
How hiring works on Waldo
- Create your profile once — experience, availability, roles and neighbourhoods.
- Swipe through real openings that match what you asked for.
- When the venue swipes back, a chat opens automatically.
- Arrange a trial shift or interview directly in the conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Is barbacking the way to become a bartender?
It is the standard route in Montréal. Bars promote from within because they need someone who already knows the well, the speed and the closing routine. A season of barbacking at a busy room is a realistic timeline to your first bartending shift.
Do barbacks get tips?
Yes — barbacks receive a tip-out from the bartenders, which is what lifts a barback shift well above base pay at a busy bar or nightclub. The share varies by house but is usually a set percentage of the bar’s take.
Is barbacking physically demanding?
Very. You are lifting kegs and cases, carrying ice and staying on your feet through late-night shifts. Bars will ask about your availability for closing hours and weekends, since that is when the role matters most.
Where this role is hiring
Other roles hiring now
Related guides
Find your next shift
Create a profile once, swipe on the jobs you actually want, and chat directly with the venue when you match.
- Free for job seekers and venues
- Live in Greater Montréal
- Bilingual — English and French