Host, Pufferfish Bar, Hotel Metro

Coury Hospitality; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Coury Hospitality is seeking a friendly and professional Host/Hostess in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The role focuses on creating exceptional first impressions, managing reservations and seating, and coordinating with servers and leadership to ensure smooth dining room operations.

You will greet guests, escort them to tables, and communicate guest preferences to the team, helping to deliver unmatched hospitality in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Strong communication, organizational, and guest service skills.
• Ability to multitask while maintaining professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests warmly and manage the flow of the dining room.
• Coordinate seating, waitlists, and reservations for efficient service.
• Communicate guest preferences and special requests to the team.
• Escort guests to tables and introduce servers to guests.
• Maintain a polished host stand and welcoming lobby area.

Skills

Guest relations

Reservations management

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

OpenTable

SevenRooms

Job description

You should join our team if you believe...

That every exceptional dining experience begins with a warm welcome and ends with a heartfelt farewell.

That the Host sets the tone for the entire guest experience through genuine hospitality, professionalism, and thoughtful attention to detail.

That creating a welcoming atmosphere is about more than seating guests - it's about making every guest feel recognized, valued, and cared for.

That teamwork between the Host, Servers, Bartenders, Culinary, and Leadership creates seamless service and memorable moments.

That every interaction is an opportunity to create a lasting first impression and build guest loyalty.

That hospitality is about anticipating needs before guests even ask.

You’re a great fit for this role if you love...

Welcoming guests with warmth, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm while creating an exceptional first impression.

Managing reservations, waitlists, walk-in guests, and seating assignments to ensure efficient dining room flow and outstanding guest experiences.

Using reservation systems to coordinate guest arrivals while maintaining accurate guest information and special requests.

Recognizing VIPs, returning guests, and special occasions while personalizing each dining experience.

Communicating wait times clearly and professionally while keeping guests informed and comfortable.

Escorting guests to their tables with confidence while presenting menus and introducing their Server.

Partnering with Servers, Bartenders, Culinary, and Leadership to coordinate seating, pacing, and overall dining room operations.

Communicating guest preferences, allergies, dietary restrictions, and special celebrations to the service team.

Maintaining a polished, organized, and welcoming host stand, entrance, and lobby area.

Responding thoughtfully to guest questions and service opportunities while escalating concerns when appropriate.

Creating memorable farewells by sincerely thanking guests and inviting them to return.

Taking pride in creating an atmosphere where every guest feels genuinely welcomed from arrival to departure.

We’re excited to have you join us because...

You understand that first impressions shape every guest's experience.

You thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining grace, professionalism, and composure.

You communicate confidently and warmly with guests and teammates alike.

You have exceptional organizational skills and enjoy coordinating multiple priorities.

You remain calm and solution-oriented during busy service periods.

You understand the importance of collaboration and communication in delivering seamless hospitality.

You bring reliability, positive energy, and a guest-first mindset to every shift.

You believe genuine hospitality begins the moment a guest walks through the door.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

Previous restaurant, hotel, fine dining, or hospitality experience preferred.

Luxury, boutique hotel, or upscale restaurant experience preferred.

Must meet all applicable state and local age requirements.

Must obtain and maintain any required food handler certifications.

Experience using restaurant reservation platforms such as OpenTable, SevenRooms, or similar systems preferred.

Strong communication, organizational, and guest service skills.

Ability to multitask while maintaining professionalism and attention to detail.

Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs.

Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills preferred, but not required.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Ability to stand and walk continuously throughout the shift.

Ability to escort guests throughout the restaurant while maintaining professionalism and guest engagement.

Ability to bend, reach, stoop, and occasionally lift or carry up to 25 pounds.

Ability to operate reservation systems, telephones, and other standard office equipment.

Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced restaurant environment while maintaining exceptional hospitality and attention to detail.

Must wear required personal protective equipment as required by job responsibilities.

Here’s the Core of Coury Hospitality:

We have a place for you on our team if your passion is to curate UNMATCHED MOMENTS.

What else do YOU need to know...

This job posting is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Additional duties may be assigned based on business needs. We are an equal opportunity employer.