Esquire Host

M Street Entertainment Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

AD&D

Job summary

Esquire, a premier luxury steakhouse in Chicago's Gold Coast, seeks a Host to greet guests, seat parties, and create a welcoming first impression. You will build guest profiles, update reservations in SevenRooms, and ensure the dining floor stays inviting and organized.

The ideal candidate has guest-facing experience in upscale settings, remains composed under pressure, and is comfortable with reservation systems.

Qualifications

• Upscale host/guest-facing experience preferred.
• Polished, warm, and professional under pressure.
• Familiar with reservation systems (SevenRooms or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Greet and seat guests; escort to the bar; deliver a warm first impression.
• Build guest profiles and update SevenRooms table records.
• Run restroom checks every 15 minutes; keep public areas pristine.
• Keep the floor view current and communicate seating flow to the team.

Skills

Guest-facing hospitality

Calm under pressure

Organized

Tools

SevenRooms

Job description

Location: 58 East Oak Street, Gold Coast, Chicago, IL Employment type: Full-time Classification: Hourly, tipped Reports to: Maitre'D

Why Esquire

Esquire is a 265-seat luxury steakhouse in Chicago’s Gold Coast where Japanese precision meets French technique — anchored by an elite Wagyu and seafood program, a four-level Wine Tower, the OakShō omakase counter, and the invitation-only Maison 58. We hold an uncompromising standard and hire people who want to set it, not just meet it. Esquire is operated by M Street Collective, the group behind Nashville’s Virago, Moto, Kayne Prime, and Saint Añejo.

Onboarding and training is estimated to begin mid-to-late October 2026. Because our permanent location is wrapping up construction, the initial onboarding and training may be adjusted. We will provide the exact address and finalized dates at least two weeks before training begins.

The Role

The first and last impression of Esquire. The Host greets and seats guests, builds the guest profile, and keeps the floor view current — the role where hospitality and professionalism set the tone for the entire visit.

What You’ll Do

• Greet and seat guests; escort to the bar; deliver a warm first impression.
• Build guest profiles and complete SevenRooms table updates.
• Run restroom checks every 15 minutes; keep public areas pristine.
• Keep the floor view current and communicate seating flow to the team.

What You Bring

• Host or guest-facing experience in upscale settings preferred.
• Polished, warm, and organized under pressure.
• Comfort with reservation systems (SevenRooms or equivalent)

Certifications & Requirements

• Illinois BASSET (alcohol) — RECOMMENDED where the role supervises or supports alcohol service.
• Illinois Food Handler — RECOMMENDED for anyone who handles food or food-contact surfaces.

Compensation — Pay Scale

$17.05/hr base (full Chicago minimum wage, eff. July 1, 2026, no tip credit) plus a share of the tip pool. Good-faith figure; the final offer is confirmed in writing.

Eligible team members receive group medical, dental, and vision insurance (the Company pays part of the premium), a 401(k) plan, Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, and a confidential Employee Assistance Program. Time off includes Paid Time Off for eligible salaried positions, Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave, and paid bereavement leave, plus the protected leaves required by federal and Illinois law (FMLA, VESSA, military, jury, and voting). Tipped roles also share the tip pool (a good-faith estimate, not a guaranteed wage). Final plan details and eligibility are confirmed in the written offer.

Held to Esquire’s four pillars — quality, consistency, hospitality, and innovation — and the five universal competencies: professionalism, teamwork, growth mindset, excellence, and hospitality.

About Esquire

Esquire is a modern luxury steakhouse on Oak Street in Chicago’s Gold Coast — Japanese precision built on a French foundation, anchored by an elite Wagyu program and a seafood-and-sushi program that earns equal billing. Across a 265-seat dining room, a four-level ~5,000-bottle Wine Tower, the Trophy Room, the invitation-only 58 Club, and the OakShō omakase counter, it delivers omotenashi-inspired hospitality and culinary theater in a vintage-Hollywood setting.

About M Street Collective

M Street Collective is the hospitality group behind Esquire, with operations in Nashville and Chicago. Built on four pillars — quality, consistency, hospitality, and innovation — and a commitment to innovation, leadership development and world-class training, the Collective creates restaurants and experiences defined by an uncompromising standard and genuine, anticipatory care.

M Street Collective is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race (including traits associated with race under the CROWN Act), color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or family-responsibilities status, disability, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, arrest or conviction record (as limited by law), credit history, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, Illinois, or Chicago law. Consistent with the Illinois Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act, we do not ask about criminal history on the application, and we do not ask about salary history. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities, for pregnancy and related conditions, and for religious observance — contact People Operations. This position is performed in Chicago, Illinois.

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.