How to take reservations in a bar
A bar runs on the door. Bookings should help it, not crowd it out.
Most bar guests walk in. But groups, birthdays and after-work drinks are often planned, and those guests want to know a table is theirs. A good booking system takes those bookings without filling the room before the door opens.
What to let guests book
- Tables for groups, the bookings that most need planning.
- Bar seats for one or two, if you want to sell them ahead.
- Only part of the room. Keep the rest for walk-ins.
1. Put the bar on your floor map
A bar is more than its tables. Draw the counter on the floor map with its seats, and each seat can be given to a guest like a table for one. Neighbouring seats go together to a small group.
You decide whether guests can book the bar seats online, or keep them for the door.
2. Seat walk-ins in the same book
When a group walks in, the host adds them in a few taps, at a table or at the bar. Everyone on the team sees the same room, so nobody seats a table that is booked for nine.
3. Set how long a table is kept
Drinks before dinner and a long night out are different bookings. Set table times by party size and by service, so the early tables are free again for the evening crowd.
- Short for a drink, longer for a group that has booked the night.
- Have large groups wait for your yes, so you can call them before you hold the tables.
4. Take bookings where guests already write
Many guests would rather send a message than fill in a form. Give them your booking page and an embed on your website, and on Plus, let Olio take bookings on WhatsApp.
On WhatsApp: Guest: Table for 4 on Saturday at 8, Hartwell's Olio: 20:00 isn’t free at Hartwell's on Saturday 17 October 2026. Here are the closest free times for 4 guests. I’ll also need your email for the confirmation. a list, See times: 19:30, 19:45, 20:15, 20:30, 20:45 Guest: 20:15 Olio: Hartwell's, Saturday 17 October 2026 at 20:15, 4 guests: held for you until 19:13. What email should the confirmation go to? Guest: sam@example.com Olio: Your booking at Hartwell's. Saturday 17 October 2026 at 20:15. 4 guests. Name: Sam. Email: sam@example.com. Pressing “Book it” means you agree that Hartwell's keeps these details to manage your booking, and uses any allergies you add to prepare your meal. Privacy: https://resolio.app/privacy. Held for you until 19:13 With the buttons Book it, Other times, Change something. Guest: Book it Olio: You’re booked! Hartwell's, Saturday 17 October 2026 at 20:15, 4 guests. Reference HW-4K7Q. Your confirmation is on its way to sam@example.com, with the link to change or cancel. Add a person, change the time or cancel here: https://resolio.app/en/hartwells/manage#t=… Guest: Can we bring our own birthday cake? Olio: I’ve asked Hartwell's, and I’ll send you their answer here. Olio: Hartwell's: Of course, and we’ll keep it in the fridge for you.
5. Keep a waiting list for the busy hours
On a full Friday, take names at the door instead of turning people away. Each party sees how many are ahead of them, and the next free table goes to the first party it fits.
How ResOlio helps a bar
Here is what each plan includes for a bar.
- Bar seats and tables on one floor map, on every plan. See the floor settings.
- Walk-ins and phone bookings in the same book, on every plan. See walk-ins.
- A booking page and an embed for your website, on every plan. See the booking page.
- Olio on your booking page, from Starter (€39 a month), and on WhatsApp, on Plus (€59 a month). See Olio.
- The waiting list and pacing, on Pro (€99 a month). See the waiting list.
Guests never pay to book, and no plan takes a commission. See ResOlio for bars and the pricing page.
Questions
Can guests book a seat at the bar?
Yes, if you want them to. Each bar seat can be booked like a table for one, and neighbouring seats go together to a small group. You can also keep the bar for walk-ins.
Can I take deposits for bar bookings?
No. ResOlio takes no card from guests: they never pay to book. For a large group, have the booking wait for your yes, and call them.
Can guests book a table on WhatsApp?
Yes, on Plus. Guests write to Olio on WhatsApp in their own words, and Olio books the table under your rules.
Do I have to take bookings for every table?
No. Keep the bar seats off your booking page if you want them for the door, and on Pro, cap what is booked online. Staff can still seat a walk-in at any free table.
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