Proper Hospitality→
Calabra Bar Back at Proper Hospitality in Santa Monica, CA
Skills
Job Description
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.
Team Collaboration:
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.