Lead Host

About Us

Cream City Concepts is Milwaukee’s hospitality group built for the energy of a packed house. We run Oak Barrel Public House, Who’s on Third, Who’s on Layton, Cream City Catering, and 3rd Street Retreat — craft food, cold drinks, game days, date nights, big events, and a place to stay, all over the city. The pace is fast, the standards are high, and the people are what make it work.

About the Role

The Host is the first face a guest sees and the last voice they hear — the first and last impression of the whole experience. You set the tone at the door with a genuine welcome, manage the flow of the room so service runs smoothly, and keep the front entry sharp and ready all shift. A great host makes every guest feel expected and taken care of before they even sit down, and keeps the floor moving so servers, bartenders, and the kitchen can do their best work. It’s also a great first step into our Front of House — a lot of strong servers start right here.

One Team, One Floor

In our venues, nobody stands around while the room needs something. When the floor needs it, everyone crosses over — as a Host you’ll clear and reset tables, run water and food, help servers and bartenders, and jump in wherever the room needs a hand. We run as one team, not separate jobs.

Always Guest-Ready

If you’ve got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean. When you’re not seating or on the phone, you’re straightening the entry, wiping menus, resetting the host stand, and getting tables turned and ready. The front door and the dining room are the face of the building — they stay clean, organized, and guest-ready every shift, not just at open.

What We’re Hiring For

Skills can be taught. These five can’t — they’re the bar in every CCC venue, every shift.

• Optimistic Warmth — You light up when a guest walks in. You bring genuine, upbeat energy to the door and stay warm and steady even when there’s a wait and the room is slammed.
• Curious Intelligence — You read the room — you learn the floor, the flow, and the regulars fast, and you’re always thinking a few tables ahead.
• Work Ethic — You keep moving. You turn and reset tables quickly, keep the entry sharp, and never let the door or the waitlist get away from you.
• Empathy — You see what guests and servers need before they ask — the table by the window, the high chair, the section that’s buried — and you make the call that takes care of everyone.
• Self-Awareness & Integrity — You own a seating mix-up and fix it gracefully, you keep your cool with a frustrated guest, and you do it right even when no manager is watching.

Key Responsibilities

Welcome & Guest Experience

• Greet every guest warmly and immediately — a real welcome, not a glance — and thank them genuinely on the way out.
• Set the tone for the visit: friendly, confident, and genuinely glad they’re here.
• Manage waits with honesty and care — accurate quote times, regular check-ins, and a calm, positive presence when the room is full.

Seating & Floor Flow

• Seat guests in a way that balances sections so no server gets buried and service stays smooth.
• Keep an accurate read on table status — what’s open, what’s turning, what needs to be reset — and keep the floor moving.
• Manage the waitlist and seating chart accurately during peak volume.

Reservations, Phones & Communication

• Answer phones promptly and professionally; take reservations, to-go orders, and questions, and route calls to the right person.
• Manage reservations and large-party / event seating per the plan, and communicate them clearly to servers and managers.
• Keep servers and managers in the loop on VIPs, large parties, allergies, and special requests.

Front-of-House Readiness & Support

• Keep the entry, host stand, menus, and dining room clean, stocked, and guest-ready all shift.
• Clear, clean, and reset tables to turn them quickly; run water, food, and support servers and bartenders as needed.
• Complete opening, side-work, and closing checklists fully.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 17 years old.
• No prior experience required — we’ll train the right person; hospitality or customer-service experience is a plus.
• Warm, outgoing, and genuinely guest-first — you make people feel welcome.
• Organized and calm under pressure; able to manage a busy door and a full room at once.
• Clear, friendly communicator, in person and on the phone.
• Reliable and punctual — shows up ready to set the tone.
• Comfortable learning a reservation / waitlist and POS system.
• Flexible availability including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Able to stand and walk for long stretches, move quickly in a busy room, and lift and carry up to 25 lbs (menus, high chairs, resetting tables).

Success in This Role Means

• Every guest is welcomed within moments of walking in and thanked sincerely on the way out.
• The floor flows — sections stay balanced, tables turn quickly, and no server gets buried.
• Waits and reservations are handled accurately and honestly, even at peak volume.
• The entry and dining room stay clean, sharp, and guest-ready every shift.
• Servers, bartenders, and managers can count on you to communicate and jump in.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive hourly pay (based on experience).
• Discounted employee meals.
• Flexible scheduling.
• A real path to grow into serving, bartending, and beyond in our Front of House.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cream City Concepts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected class. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. Employment remains at-will. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time based on business needs.

Continue Your Hospitality Career with us.
We are always looking for the brightest personalities to join our teams!
We value each person's point of view and we want all of our employees to have a voice in our operations.

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