Host / Hostess - Kress Cocktail Bar

Host / Hostess Position SummaryThe Kress embodies the culture, spirit, and traditions of downtown El Paso while offering a work environment focused on the overall employee experience. This Host position supports our Cocktail Bar. Team members have the opportunity to be part of a unique hospitality destination while enjoying growth opportunities across our family of businesses. The Host is responsible for creating a welcoming first and last impression by greeting guests, managing reservations, supporting waitlists, coordinating seating flow, and communicating with team members to support smooth front-of-house operations. This role helps set the tone for the guest experience while balancing hospitality, organization, guest communication, and efficient table management throughout each shift. Key ResponsibilitiesGuest Greeting & Hospitality • Greet guests warmly and professionally upon arrival and departure • Create a positive first and last impression while supporting the overall tone and guest experience • Escort guests to assigned areas, present menus or guest materials, and communicate seating updates promptly • Answer guest questions, provide general information, and communicate policies according to management direction • Maintain professionalism, friendliness, discretion, and composure in a guest-facing environment Reservations, Waitlists & Seating Flow • Manage reservations, walk-ins, waitlists, seating charts, guest notes, special requests, large parties, and timing expectations accurately • Coordinate seating flow with servers, bartenders, support staff, security, and management to support balanced sections and smooth service • Provide accurate wait time estimates when available, communicate delays professionally, and keep guests informed during busy periods • Monitor guest arrivals, no-shows, table turns, seating changes, and changing guest flow throughout the shift • Balance hospitality with operational needs, including pacing, table turns, section rotation, and service team communication Front Door, Communication & Guest Support • Answer phones or messages professionally, respond to guest questions, confirm details, and communicate policies as directed • Communicate seating updates, guest needs, timing concerns, and special requests clearly with the service team and management • Support guest recovery by promptly escalating concerns, complaints, overcrowding, access issues, disruptive behavior, or safety concerns to management • Maintain awareness of guest flow, entrance traffic, waiting areas, large parties, private events, and high-volume periods • Use calm, courteous, and professional communication when handling delays, guest concerns, and changing priorities Host Stand, Cleanliness & Side Work • Maintain a clean, organized, and guest-ready host stand, entrance area, waiting area, menus, reservation tools, and guest-facing materials • Assist with opening, running, closing, and side-work duties, including menu organization, reservation notes, front-door setup, light cleaning, and end-of-shift communication • Organize menus, signage, supplies, host materials, and seating tools throughout the shift • Protect company property and follow management direction related to front-of-house standards • Support service readiness before, during, and after high-volume periods, events, and changing business needs Safety, Responsible Service Awareness & Teamwork • Support responsible service and safety by notifying management of intoxication concerns, disruptive behavior, overcrowding, access issues, guest conflicts, or safety matters • Communicate professionally with servers, bartenders, hosts, support staff, security, and management to support smooth service • Assist coworkers with guest flow, host stand organization, seating updates, guest communication, and service support as needed • Maintain professional appearance, conduct, guest privacy, cleanliness, and safety awareness at all times • Contribute to a positive team culture through reliability, organization, respectful communication, and a helpful attitude QualificationsEducation, Experience & Certifications • Previous host, guest relations, reservation, customer service, restaurant, bar, lounge, hotel, or hospitality experience preferred but not required • Experience with reservation systems, seating charts, waitlist tools, phone etiquette, large party coordination, and guest recovery preferred • Basic understanding of service flow, table management, guest hospitality, responsible alcohol-service awareness, and front-of-house teamwork preferred • Food Handler certification, alcohol awareness training, or other required permits must be obtained and maintained where applicable by law, regulation, or company policy Knowledge, Skills & Abilities • Ability to communicate professionally with guests, coworkers, and management while maintaining composure, accuracy, discretion, and attention to detail • Ability to manage seating flow, waitlists, guest notes, phone calls, reservations, and changing priorities in a busy guest-facing environment • Strong organization, teamwork, professional communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail • Ability to stay calm, organized, and friendly during high-volume periods, events, weekends, late-night service, and special occasions • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during the shift • Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull items up to 25 pounds with proper technique or assistance when needed • Ability to reach, bend, twist, squat, escort guests, organize menus, reset host materials, and work around crowds, noise, music, wet floors, entrance traffic, and fast-changing service needs Success Factors • Creates a warm, professional first and last impression for guests • Manages reservations, waitlists, seating flow, and guest communication accurately • Balances hospitality with operational needs, including pacing, table turns, and section rotation • Maintains a clean, organized, and guest-ready host stand and entrance area • Communicates clearly with teammates and management during changing service conditions • Escalates guest concerns, safety matters, or service issues appropriately • Demonstrates reliability, composure, organization, and ownership of the guest arrival experience Compliance StatementThis job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as required to meet business needs. Let's bring people back to the heart of El Paso through great food, new friendships, and a strong sense of community.