diff --git a/common/util.c b/common/util.c
index ed6d033f..b5037d35 100644
--- a/common/util.c
+++ b/common/util.c
@@ -13,3 +13,41 @@ int numlen(int n) {
 	if (n >= 10) return 2;
 	return 1;
 }
+
+static struct modifier_key {
+	char *name;
+	uint32_t mod;
+} modifiers[] = {
+	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_SHIFT, WLC_BIT_MOD_SHIFT },
+	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_CAPS, WLC_BIT_MOD_CAPS },
+	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_CTRL, WLC_BIT_MOD_CTRL },
+	{ "Ctrl", WLC_BIT_MOD_CTRL },
+	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_ALT, WLC_BIT_MOD_ALT },
+	{ "Alt", WLC_BIT_MOD_ALT },
+	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_NUM, WLC_BIT_MOD_MOD2 },
+	{ "Mod3", WLC_BIT_MOD_MOD3 },
+	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_LOGO, WLC_BIT_MOD_LOGO },
+	{ "Mod5", WLC_BIT_MOD_MOD5 },
+};
+
+uint32_t get_modifier_mask_by_name(const char *name) {
+	int i;
+	for (i = 0; i < (int)(sizeof(modifiers) / sizeof(struct modifier_key)); ++i) {
+		if (strcasecmp(modifiers[i].name, name) == 0) {
+			return modifiers[i].mod;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+const char *get_modifier_name_by_mask(uint32_t modifier) {
+	int i;
+	for (i = 0; i < (int)(sizeof(modifiers) / sizeof(struct modifier_key)); ++i) {
+		if (modifiers[i].mod == modifier) {
+			return modifiers[i].name;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return NULL;
+}
diff --git a/include/config.h b/include/config.h
index a915fbed..5e1c39f3 100644
--- a/include/config.h
+++ b/include/config.h
@@ -135,6 +135,7 @@ struct sway_config {
 	list_t *workspace_outputs;
 	list_t *output_configs;
 	list_t *criteria;
+	list_t *active_bar_modifiers;
 	struct sway_mode *current_mode;
 	struct bar_config *current_bar;
 	uint32_t floating_mod;
@@ -176,6 +177,11 @@ void merge_output_config(struct output_config *dst, struct output_config *src);
 void apply_output_config(struct output_config *oc, swayc_t *output);
 void free_output_config(struct output_config *oc);
 
+/**
+ * Updates the list of active bar modifiers
+ */
+void update_active_bar_modifiers(void);
+
 int workspace_output_cmp_workspace(const void *a, const void *b);
 
 int sway_binding_cmp(const void *a, const void *b);
diff --git a/include/input_state.h b/include/input_state.h
index a1f238e1..79e27d91 100644
--- a/include/input_state.h
+++ b/include/input_state.h
@@ -60,6 +60,12 @@ extern struct pointer_state {
 	int mode;
 } pointer_state;
 
+enum modifier_state {
+	MOD_STATE_UNCHANGED = 0,
+	MOD_STATE_PRESSED = 1,
+	MOD_STATE_RELEASED = 2
+};
+
 void pointer_position_set(struct wlc_origin *new_origin, bool force_focus);
 void center_pointer_on(swayc_t *view);
 
@@ -75,5 +81,19 @@ void pointer_mode_reset(void);
 
 void input_init(void);
 
+/**
+ * Check if state of mod changed from current state to new_state.
+ *
+ * Returns MOD_STATE_UNCHANGED if the state didn't change, MOD_STATE_PRESSED if
+ * the state changed to pressed and MOD_STATE_RELEASED if the state changed to
+ * released.
+ */
+uint32_t modifier_state_changed(uint32_t new_state, uint32_t mod);
+
+/**
+ * Update the current modifiers state to new_state.
+ */
+void modifiers_state_update(uint32_t new_state);
+
 #endif
 
diff --git a/include/ipc-server.h b/include/ipc-server.h
index 04975093..47026bfd 100644
--- a/include/ipc-server.h
+++ b/include/ipc-server.h
@@ -15,6 +15,12 @@ void ipc_event_barconfig_update(struct bar_config *bar);
  * Send IPC mode event to all listening clients
  */
 void ipc_event_mode(const char *mode);
+/**
+ * Sends an IPC modifier event to all listening clients.  The modifier event
+ * includes a key 'change' with the value of state and a key 'modifier' with
+ * the name of that modifier.
+ */
+void ipc_event_modifier(uint32_t modifier, const char *state);
 const char *swayc_type_string(enum swayc_types type);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/include/ipc.h b/include/ipc.h
index e0b3b736..56593529 100644
--- a/include/ipc.h
+++ b/include/ipc.h
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ enum ipc_command_type {
 	IPC_EVENT_WINDOW = (1 << 31 | 3),
 	IPC_EVENT_BARCONFIG_UPDATE = (1 << 31 | 4),
 	IPC_EVENT_BINDING = (1 << 31 | 5),
+	IPC_EVENT_MODIFIER = (1 << 31 | 6),
 	IPC_SWAY_GET_PIXELS = 0x81
 };
 
diff --git a/include/util.h b/include/util.h
index 9cb861dd..4bbb64c8 100644
--- a/include/util.h
+++ b/include/util.h
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 #ifndef _SWAY_UTIL_H
 #define _SWAY_UTIL_H
 
+#include <stdint.h>
+#include <wlc/wlc.h>
+#include <xkbcommon/xkbcommon.h>
+
 /**
  * Wrap i into the range [0, max[
  */
@@ -11,4 +15,18 @@ int wrap(int i, int max);
  */
 int numlen(int n);
 
+/**
+ * Get modifier mask from modifier name.
+ *
+ * Returns the modifer mask or 0 if the name isn't found.
+ */
+uint32_t get_modifier_mask_by_name(const char *name);
+
+/**
+ * Get modifier name from modifier mask.
+ *
+ * Returns the modifier name or NULL if it isn't found.
+ */
+const char *get_modifier_name_by_mask(uint32_t modifier);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/sway/commands.c b/sway/commands.c
index 9cc33b9c..4e5bc712 100644
--- a/sway/commands.c
+++ b/sway/commands.c
@@ -99,22 +99,6 @@ static sway_cmd bar_colors_cmd_urgent_workspace;
 swayc_t *sp_view;
 int sp_index = 0;
 
-static struct modifier_key {
-	char *name;
-	uint32_t mod;
-} modifiers[] = {
-	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_SHIFT, WLC_BIT_MOD_SHIFT },
-	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_CAPS, WLC_BIT_MOD_CAPS },
-	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_CTRL, WLC_BIT_MOD_CTRL },
-	{ "Ctrl", WLC_BIT_MOD_CTRL },
-	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_ALT, WLC_BIT_MOD_ALT },
-	{ "Alt", WLC_BIT_MOD_ALT },
-	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_NUM, WLC_BIT_MOD_MOD2 },
-	{ "Mod3", WLC_BIT_MOD_MOD3 },
-	{ XKB_MOD_NAME_LOGO, WLC_BIT_MOD_LOGO },
-	{ "Mod5", WLC_BIT_MOD_MOD5 },
-};
-
 static char *bg_options[] = {
 	"stretch",
 	"center",
@@ -187,16 +171,11 @@ static struct cmd_results *cmd_bindsym(int argc, char **argv) {
 	list_t *split = split_string(argv[0], "+");
 	for (int i = 0; i < split->length; ++i) {
 		// Check for a modifier key
-		int j;
-		bool is_mod = false;
-		for (j = 0; j < (int)(sizeof(modifiers) / sizeof(struct modifier_key)); ++j) {
-			if (strcasecmp(modifiers[j].name, split->items[i]) == 0) {
-				binding->modifiers |= modifiers[j].mod;
-				is_mod = true;
-				break;
-			}
+		uint32_t mod;
+		if ((mod = get_modifier_mask_by_name(split->items[i])) > 0) {
+			binding->modifiers |= mod;
+			continue;
 		}
-		if (is_mod) continue;
 		// Check for xkb key
 		xkb_keysym_t sym = xkb_keysym_from_name(split->items[i], XKB_KEYSYM_CASE_INSENSITIVE);
 		if (!sym) {
@@ -408,17 +387,13 @@ static struct cmd_results *cmd_floating_mod(int argc, char **argv) {
 	if ((error = checkarg(argc, "floating_modifier", EXPECTED_AT_LEAST, 1))) {
 		return error;
 	}
-	int i, j;
+	int i;
 	list_t *split = split_string(argv[0], "+");
 	config->floating_mod = 0;
 
 	// set modifier keys
 	for (i = 0; i < split->length; ++i) {
-		for (j = 0; j < (int)(sizeof(modifiers) / sizeof(struct modifier_key)); ++j) {
-			if (strcasecmp(modifiers[j].name, split->items[i]) == 0) {
-				config->floating_mod |= modifiers[j].mod;
-			}
-		}
+		config->floating_mod |= get_modifier_mask_by_name(split->items[i]);
 	}
 	free_flat_list(split);
 	if (!config->floating_mod) {
@@ -1776,6 +1751,9 @@ static struct cmd_results *bar_cmd_hidden_state(int argc, char **argv) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// active bar modifiers might have changed.
+	update_active_bar_modifiers();
+
 	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 }
 
@@ -1800,6 +1778,9 @@ static struct cmd_results *bar_set_mode(struct bar_config *bar, const char *mode
 	if (strcmp(old_mode, bar->mode) != 0) {
 		if (!config->reading) {
 			ipc_event_barconfig_update(bar);
+
+			// active bar modifiers might have changed.
+			update_active_bar_modifiers();
 		}
 		sway_log(L_DEBUG, "Setting mode: '%s' for bar: %s", bar->mode, bar->id);
 	}
@@ -1893,16 +1874,11 @@ static struct cmd_results *bar_cmd_modifier(int argc, char **argv) {
 
 	list_t *split = split_string(argv[0], "+");
 	for (int i = 0; i < split->length; ++i) {
-		int j;
-		bool is_mod = false;
-		for (j = 0; j < (int)(sizeof(modifiers) / sizeof(struct modifier_key)); ++j) {
-			if (strcasecmp(modifiers[j].name, split->items[i]) == 0) {
-				mod |= modifiers[j].mod;
-				is_mod = true;
-				break;
-			}
-		}
-		if (!is_mod) {
+		uint32_t tmp_mod;
+		if ((tmp_mod = get_modifier_mask_by_name(split->items[i])) > 0) {
+			mod |= tmp_mod;
+			continue;
+		} else {
 			free_flat_list(split);
 			return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "modifier", "Unknown modifier '%s'", split->items[i]);
 		}
diff --git a/sway/config.c b/sway/config.c
index 1973de02..95d8f339 100644
--- a/sway/config.c
+++ b/sway/config.c
@@ -103,6 +103,8 @@ static void free_config(struct sway_config *config) {
 		free_output_config(config->output_configs->items[i]);
 	}
 	list_free(config->output_configs);
+
+	list_free(config->active_bar_modifiers);
 	free(config);
 }
 
@@ -145,6 +147,33 @@ static void config_defaults(struct sway_config *config) {
 	config->edge_gaps = true;
 	config->gaps_inner = 0;
 	config->gaps_outer = 0;
+
+	config->active_bar_modifiers = create_list();
+}
+
+static int compare_modifiers(const void *left, const void *right) {
+	uint32_t a = *(uint32_t *)left;
+	uint32_t b = *(uint32_t *)right;
+
+	return a - b;
+}
+
+void update_active_bar_modifiers() {
+	if (config->active_bar_modifiers->length > 0) {
+		list_free(config->active_bar_modifiers);
+		config->active_bar_modifiers = create_list();
+	}
+
+	struct bar_config *bar;
+	int i;
+	for (i = 0; i < config->bars->length; ++i) {
+		bar = config->bars->items[i];
+		if (strcmp(bar->mode, "hide") == 0 && strcmp(bar->hidden_state, "hide") == 0) {
+			if (list_seq_find(config->active_bar_modifiers, compare_modifiers, &bar->modifier) < 0) {
+				list_add(config->active_bar_modifiers, &bar->modifier);
+			}
+		}
+	}
 }
 
 static char *get_config_path(void) {
@@ -215,6 +244,8 @@ bool load_config(const char *file) {
 	}
 	fclose(f);
 
+	update_active_bar_modifiers();
+
 	return config_load_success;
 }
 
@@ -695,7 +726,7 @@ struct bar_config *default_bar_config(void) {
 	bar = malloc(sizeof(struct bar_config));
 	bar->mode = strdup("dock");
 	bar->hidden_state = strdup("hide");
-	bar->modifier = 0;
+	bar->modifier = WLC_BIT_MOD_LOGO;
 	bar->outputs = NULL;
 	bar->position = DESKTOP_SHELL_PANEL_POSITION_BOTTOM;
 	bar->bindings = create_list();
diff --git a/sway/handlers.c b/sway/handlers.c
index 3cc5cf3e..470f3c95 100644
--- a/sway/handlers.c
+++ b/sway/handlers.c
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #include "resize.h"
 #include "extensions.h"
 #include "criteria.h"
+#include "ipc-server.h"
 
 // Event should be sent to client
 #define EVENT_PASSTHROUGH false
@@ -391,6 +392,23 @@ static bool handle_key(wlc_handle view, uint32_t time, const struct wlc_modifier
 			}
 		}
 	}
+
+	// handle bar modifiers pressed/released
+	uint32_t modifier;
+	for (i = 0; i < config->active_bar_modifiers->length; ++i) {
+		modifier = *(uint32_t *)config->active_bar_modifiers->items[i];
+
+		switch (modifier_state_changed(modifiers->mods, modifier)) {
+		case MOD_STATE_PRESSED:
+			ipc_event_modifier(modifier, "pressed");
+			break;
+		case MOD_STATE_RELEASED:
+			ipc_event_modifier(modifier, "released");
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+	// update modifiers state
+	modifiers_state_update(modifiers->mods);
 	return EVENT_PASSTHROUGH;
 }
 
diff --git a/sway/input_state.c b/sway/input_state.c
index 58619d1f..2f40b6c2 100644
--- a/sway/input_state.c
+++ b/sway/input_state.c
@@ -22,12 +22,36 @@ struct key_state {
 
 static struct key_state key_state_array[KEY_STATE_MAX_LENGTH];
 
+static uint32_t modifiers_state;
+
 void input_init(void) {
 	int i;
 	for (i = 0; i < KEY_STATE_MAX_LENGTH; ++i) {
 		struct key_state none = { 0, 0, 0 };
 		key_state_array[i] = none;
 	}
+
+	modifiers_state = 0;
+}
+
+uint32_t modifier_state_changed(uint32_t new_state, uint32_t mod) {
+	if ((new_state & mod) != 0) { // pressed
+		if ((modifiers_state & mod) != 0) { // already pressed
+			return MOD_STATE_UNCHANGED;
+		} else { // pressed
+			return MOD_STATE_PRESSED;
+		}
+	} else { // not pressed
+		if ((modifiers_state & mod) != 0) { // released
+			return MOD_STATE_RELEASED;
+		} else { // already released
+			return MOD_STATE_UNCHANGED;
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void modifiers_state_update(uint32_t new_state) {
+	modifiers_state = new_state;
 }
 
 static uint8_t find_key(uint32_t key_sym, uint32_t key_code, bool update) {
diff --git a/sway/ipc-server.c b/sway/ipc-server.c
index ed3977d5..f3a4647b 100644
--- a/sway/ipc-server.c
+++ b/sway/ipc-server.c
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "commands.h"
 #include "list.h"
 #include "stringop.h"
+#include "util.h"
 
 static int ipc_socket = -1;
 static struct wlc_event_source *ipc_event_source =  NULL;
@@ -295,6 +296,8 @@ void ipc_client_handle_command(struct ipc_client *client) {
 				client->subscribed_events |= IPC_EVENT_BARCONFIG_UPDATE;
 			} else if (strcmp(event_type, "mode") == 0) {
 				client->subscribed_events |= IPC_EVENT_MODE;
+			} else if (strcmp(event_type, "modifier") == 0) {
+				client->subscribed_events |= IPC_EVENT_MODIFIER;
 			} else {
 				ipc_send_reply(client, "{\"success\": false}", 18);
 				ipc_client_disconnect(client);
@@ -508,7 +511,7 @@ json_object *ipc_json_describe_bar_config(struct bar_config *bar) {
 	json_object_object_add(json, "tray_output", NULL);
 	json_object_object_add(json, "mode", json_object_new_string(bar->mode));
 	json_object_object_add(json, "hidden_state", json_object_new_string(bar->hidden_state));
-	//json_object_object_add(json, "modifier", json_object_new_string(bar->modifier)); // TODO: Fix modifier
+	json_object_object_add(json, "modifier", json_object_new_string(get_modifier_name_by_mask(bar->modifier)));
 	switch (bar->position) {
 	case DESKTOP_SHELL_PANEL_POSITION_TOP:
 		json_object_object_add(json, "position", json_object_new_string("top"));
@@ -617,3 +620,16 @@ void ipc_event_mode(const char *mode) {
 
 	json_object_put(obj); // free
 }
+
+void ipc_event_modifier(uint32_t modifier, const char *state) {
+	json_object *obj = json_object_new_object();
+	json_object_object_add(obj, "change", json_object_new_string(state));
+
+	const char *modifier_name = get_modifier_name_by_mask(modifier);
+	json_object_object_add(obj, "modifier", json_object_new_string(modifier_name));
+
+	const char *json_string = json_object_to_json_string(obj);
+	ipc_send_event(json_string, IPC_EVENT_MODIFIER);
+
+	json_object_put(obj); // free
+}