NYC restaurant jobs
Host and hostess jobs in NYC
Hosts run the front door: greeting guests, managing the waitlist and reservations, and pacing the dining room so the kitchen and servers are not overwhelmed. It is a strong first front-of-house job.
Free for workers. Takes about 60 seconds.
What hosts and hostesses usually look for
- A restaurant whose pace suits you, from calm neighborhood places to very busy rooms.
- Evening or weekend shifts that fit around school or other work.
- Training on the reservation system the restaurant uses.
- A path to serving or management if that is the goal.
Searching for host and hostess work in NYC
- Many NYC restaurants use a reservation platform. Mention any you have used.
- Friendly, calm communication under pressure is often valued more than years of experience.
- Hosting can lead to server roles. See server jobs.
Borough and location flexibility
Relay asks which borough you want to work in first: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, or anywhere in NYC. After that you can pick the areas you prefer, or skip it. Being honest about your commute helps, because a job that looks good on paper is not a fit if getting home after close is hard.
Schedule and pay preferences
Host shifts follow the restaurant's busiest times, usually evenings and weekends. Relay lets you share the days and times you can work and the lowest hourly pay you would accept, and you can skip both.
How Relay works
- Tell Relay what job you want once: your role, the part of NYC you want to work in, and how to reach you.
- Add schedule, pay and experience later if you want. It is optional and you can skip it.
- When an opportunity looks like a fit for what you told us, we contact you. You decide what to pursue.
- Relay is free for workers. There is no account or password. Relay does not guarantee a job.
Frequently asked questions
- Is hosting a good job with limited experience?
- It often is. See our guide on getting a restaurant job with limited experience.
- Can I choose specific neighborhoods?
- Yes. Pick a borough, then optionally the areas you prefer.
- Is Relay free?
- Yes, Relay is free for workers.
Search by borough
Other roles
Helpful guides
Tell Relay what job you want
Relay connects you to relevant openings. It does not guarantee employment.
Free for workers. Takes about 60 seconds.