How to manage table availability

Check table status, mark tables busy, and release tables when service ends.

Keep the floor plan aligned with what is happening in your venue so your team can choose suitable tables. You need permission to manage seating to change occupancy.

1. Check the current table status

Open your location's Floor plans, select a zone, and choose Floor map. Use Now to return to the current service before seating a party.

Select a table to see its details. Read the status and occupancy information as well as the colour: a table may be available, reserved, seated, or blocked. A suggested placement represents expected use and should not be mistaken for guests already seated.

An available four-seat table selected in the floor map, with Seat a party and Mark busy controls.

The example shows 0/4 on a four-seat table. The Seat a party action lets you choose a party; it does not mean a party is already seated.

2. Mark a table busy when needed

Select the table and use Mark busy when it is unavailable outside a normal guest assignment, such as a table temporarily taken out of service. This immediately creates a one-hour manual block starting now. To adjust the period, open Table timeline and drag the edges of the manual block.

Manual occupancy is shown in the floor plan and timeline. Check the affected table and time after saving so the block matches the real situation.

To block a future period, open Table timeline, choose the date, and select an empty slot on the table’s row. Click the busy-period preview to create the block, then drag its edges to adjust the duration.

3. Release the correct occupancy

Select the occupied table or its block in the timeline. Select the active occupancy to see the relevant action:

  • End service now: finish an active service when the guests have left.
  • Delete blocker: remove a manual blocker that should no longer exist.
  • Clear table: release a reserved table when this action is offered.

These actions save immediately. Another reservation or blocker can still affect the table’s availability.

A manual block selected in the timeline, with the Unblock table action.

The guests are staying longer than expected

Check the expected departure in Table timeline. Timed occupancy can expire at its recorded end; if the guests are still there and the table becomes available, use Mark busy to keep it unavailable. For a manual block, drag its end edge to extend the period.

A table is free but I cannot assign it

Check the selected time, the party size, and whether the party's list is allowed to use it. See How to assign and change tables and How to choose which zones and tables a list can use.