Host

Position Overview

The Host role focuses on welcoming guests, managing the waitlist, coordinating reservations, and supporting front-of-house operations during service when needed. The position requires a polished, guest-focused approach that reflects the venue’s standards and core values.

Hosts work closely with Lead Servers, the FOH Department Head, and, when needed, other department heads and the General Manager. This role also involves collaborating with fellow hosts and front-of-house team members to keep service running smoothly.

Core Duties and Service Expectations

• Follow the service standards described in the service manual and carry them out consistently.
• Use Tock or any other reservation platform in the building with confidence and accuracy.
• Know table numbers and position numbers across all dining sections.
• Understand the reservation rules, procedures, and operating hours for every space in the venue.
• Communicate clearly and professionally about waitlists, reservations, and voicemail messages.
• Develop strong knowledge of food and beverage offerings and how items are prepared in each active area.
• Respect all areas of the restaurant and reset spaces to a clean, ready state when needed.
• Stay current with service standards and hospitality expectations outlined in the employee manual.
• Handle guest concerns with patience, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Recognize signs of intoxication and escalate concerns to management immediately.
• Report guest complaints right away and follow the required five-step complaint-handling process so no guest leaves dissatisfied.
• Review Slack updates before every shift, especially the Announcement Board and the Host, Pre-Shift, and Product Updates channels.
• Respond to Slack messages in a timely way, with at least a reply before the next shift.
• Arrive prepared, maintain a positive attitude, and be ready to learn each day.
• Ask for support when needed and work with confidence as part of the team.

Additional Duties

• Support other departments whenever possible.
• Help with food and beverage running, water service, and table turns.
• Watch service flow in both the dining room and kitchen and step in where timing support is needed.
• Help maintain a clean and safe environment for guests and coworkers.
• Process gift certificate transactions and complete the required paperwork before presenting it to the guest.
• Help train new team members by walking them through training trails, answering questions, giving workflow guidance, and teaching expectations, service steps, and standard procedures.
• Develop positive relationships with regular guests and maintain good connections within the neighborhood and industry community.
• Represent Death & Co / Gin & Luck professionally at the restaurant, while traveling, or at other local venues.
• Follow all employment rules, policies, procedures, and handbook requirements.

Physical Requirements

This position involves seeing, hearing, speaking, reaching, bending, and moving throughout the shift. It also requires frequent lifting of up to 25 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds, along with sitting or standing for 4 to 8 hours. These duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Required Qualifications

• Strong guest service skills and the ability to create a warm, welcoming environment.
• Good organization and multitasking skills for busy, high-volume situations.
• Ability to stay calm and composed under pressure.
• Excellent verbal communication skills for working with guests and teammates.
• Availability for early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and all-staff meetings and tastings.
• Patience, adaptability, self-motivation, and a strong team orientation.
• High ethical standards, a strong work ethic, and a good sense of humor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a host or in a similar hospitality role is an advantage.
• Familiarity with restaurant or bar operations and reservation systems is preferred.

Core Values

• Curiosity: learning and improving through observation and creative problem-solving.
• A.B.K.: anticipating needs, preparing well, and executing with intention.
• Pursuit of Excellence: continuously striving for excellence, even when results are imperfect.
• Contagious Joy: bringing fun and positive energy that spreads to others.
• Connection: building relationships through intuition, empathy, and transparency.

Compensation and Benefits

The role pays $27 per hour. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and life insurance for full-time and part-time employees. Additional perks listed include employee discounts, training and development, and health, dental, and vision coverage.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Gin & Luck is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Important Notice

This description is not exhaustive. Duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may change over time, and the employer may add or remove responsibilities at its discretion.