Restaurant Host

Queen Maeve Bar & Restaurant NYC is seeking an experienced, energetic, and hospitality-driven Full-Time Hosts to join our Front of House team.

We are looking for someone who understands that the host is one of the most important positions in the restaurant. You are the first and last impression of Queen Maeve and play a key role in creating a warm, polished, and memorable experience for every guest who walks through our doors.

The ideal candidate is confident, personable, highly organized, proactive, and genuinely passionate about hospitality. You should have excellent common sense, strong communication skills, and the ability to anticipate guest and team needs without always being asked.

THE ROLE

As a Host at Queen Maeve, you will be responsible for managing the flow of guests into the restaurant while maintaining a welcoming, organized, and elevated front-of-house environment.

You will work closely with our management, servers, bartenders, and support team to ensure smooth service from the moment a guest arrives until the moment they leave.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Warmly greet and welcome every guest with genuine enthusiasm and professionalism.

• Escort guests to their tables and ensure a smooth, polished seating experience.

• Manage reservations, seating assignments, waitlists, table availability, and guest flow.

• Utilize OpenTable and TripleSeat to manage reservations, guest information, events, and seating requirements.

• Maintain accurate guest notes and communicate important information regarding VIPs, celebrations, special requests, allergies, and preferences.

• Provide accurate wait times and communicate delays or changes professionally.

• Answer incoming phone calls and respond to guest inquiries with confidence and excellent phone etiquette.

• Maintain constant communication with the FOH management and service team regarding table status, pacing, guest requests, and service needs.

• Conduct regular table touches and dining room checks to ensure the restaurant remains clean, organized, and properly presented.

• Ensure the host stand, entrance, menus, menus holders, and surrounding areas remain immaculate and fully stocked.

• Assist with resetting and organizing tables between guests when required.

• Ensure all front-of-house areas are maintained in accordance with NYC Department of Health standards and Queen Maeve cleanliness and sanitation procedures.

• Complete all assigned opening and closing sidework accurately and consistently.

• Participate in daily pre-service meetings and team communication.

• Be proactive in identifying anything that could negatively impact the guest experience and address it or communicate it to management immediately.

• Assist FOH team members wherever needed to help maintain a smooth service.

• Handle guest concerns with professionalism, urgency, and good judgment, escalating to management when appropriate.

• Maintain a polished, professional appearance and welcoming presence throughout every shift.

• Be knowledgeable about Queen Maeve's menu, cocktails, events, hours, promotions, and overall guest experience.

• Represent Queen Maeve with warmth, confidence, professionalism, and genuine Irish hospitality.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a similar Host/Hostess or Front of House role.

• Previous experience in a high-volume, upscale, or hospitality-focused NYC restaurant strongly preferred.

• Genuine passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.

• Warm, outgoing personality with the ability to naturally connect with guests.

• Excellent verbal communication and phone etiquette.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to multitask and remain composed during busy service periods.

• Strong common sense and problem-solving ability.

• Proactive attitude - someone who sees what needs to be done and takes care of it.

• Strong understanding of restaurant service flow and table management.

• Experience with OpenTable & Toast preferred.

• Experience with TripleSeat is a plus.

• Familiarity with POS systems and restaurant technology is a plus.

• Ability to communicate effectively with servers, bartenders, managers, kitchen staff, and guests.

• Professional, polished appearance and demeanor.

• Reliable, punctual, and dependable.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities.

• Must be available for a full-time schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and busy theatre/event periods as required.

THE RIGHT PERSON FOR QUEEN MAEVE

We're not simply looking for someone to stand at the door.

We're looking for a true hospitality professional who understands that every interaction matters.

The ideal candidate is someone who:

Welcomes before being asked.
Communicates before there is a problem.
Notices what others miss.
Takes ownership.
Supports the team.
And genuinely cares about how our guests feel.

You should be energetic without being overwhelming, polished without being stuffy, and confident enough to make decisions while knowing when to involve management.

If you take pride in creating memorable experiences, love being around people, and want to be part of a growing hospitality team, we'd love to meet you.

COMPENSATION

$18–$23 per hour based on experience and qualifications.

Full-time opportunity with potential for growth within the Queen Maeve team.

Queen Maeve is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity, inclusion, teamwork, professionalism, and a genuine passion for hospitality.