Time Blocking

Time Blocking lets you stop new reservations during a specific time window without changing your schedule or closing for the day. It's handy for private events and buyouts, staff meetings, holidays when you're open but not taking reservations, or any time you want to keep some tables free.

When a time is blocked:

• Guests won't see those times offered on your online reservations page (or on Reserve with Google, if you use it).
• Your staff will see a warning when adding a reservation in that window, with the option to override it.
• Your waitlist isn't affected. Walk-ins can still be added and seated as usual.

You can block time for your entire location, specific services, or specific resources (tables). And you can do it from two places: right in the Timeline view or in Settings > Schedules.

Note: adding a block doesn't cancel reservations that are already booked in that window, so check the timeline for anything already on the books.

Block time from the Timeline view

The quickest way to block time is to draw it on the Timeline view, where you can see all of your tables for the day. If you use Floor Plans, open Floor Plan and click the grid icon at the top of the page to switch to the timeline.

1. Use the date picker to go to the day you want to block, then click Block at the top right of the grid. The grid switches to blocking mode: you'll see the message "Click or Drag on the grid to block a time." and an All Resources row appears above your tables.
2. Select the time to block:
   • All tables — click and drag across the All Resources row, from the start time to the end time.
   • A single table — click and drag across that table's row instead. (A single click selects one time slot; you can adjust the exact times in the next step.)
3. The Add blocked time window opens with the date and time range already filled in from your selection.
   • Give the block a Name, such as "Private Event".
   • If you dragged on the All Resources row, All services is already turned on, so the block covers every service and every table.
   • If you dragged on a single table, that table's service(s) and the table itself are pre-selected. To block more tables, add them from the Resources list. To block everything instead, turn on All services.
   • Optionally, add a Reason. It shows when you hover over the block on the timeline and in the Blocked Time list in Settings.
4. Click Save Blocked Time.

The blocked time appears as a shaded red band on each affected table, and the grid returns to normal.

To change or remove a block, click the shaded band to open it, then edit the details or click Delete. To leave blocking mode without blocking anything, click Cancel.

Block time from Settings > Schedules

You can also manage blocked time from Settings > Schedules. Scroll down to the Blocked Time section to see every block for your location, with its date, time, services, resources, and reason.

1. Click + Add Blocked Time.
2. Enter a Name, choose the Date, and set the Time range.
3. Leave All services on to block every service and every table. Or turn it off to choose specific Services and, optionally, specific Resources. The Resources list only shows tables linked to the services you selected.
4. Add a Reason if you'd like, then click Save Blocked Time.

Use the pencil icon to edit a block, or the trash icon to delete it.

What guests and staff see

• Online reservations: blocked times aren't offered in the time picker. If a guest tries to reschedule an existing reservation into a blocked window, they'll see that the time isn't available.
• Staff: when adding or editing a reservation at a blocked time, the form shows "This time is blocked for new reservations." with an Override? checkbox. Check it to book the reservation anyway.
• Waitlist: blocked time doesn't apply to walk-ins or your waitlist.

Tips

• A block applies to a reservation's start time. A reservation that starts just before the block can still run into it, so start the block a little earlier if you need tables clear beforehand.
• A block can't cross midnight. To block from 11:00pm to 1:00am, add one block for each day.
• To close entirely for a day or change your hours, use Set Detailed Hours By Date instead. Read more in How to Change Your Hours or Close Specific Days.
• Blocks added by one staff member show up right away for everyone else who's logged in.