What Are the Host Stand Dimensions?

One of the first things you’ll lay eyes on the moment you step inside a restaurant is the host stand. This is where the restaurant’s host stands and receives incoming patrons before seating them at vacant tables in the restaurant. So, what are the sizes of the host stands?

The typical host stand will measure around 40 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 26 inches deep. The work surface will typically measure around 45 inches wide and 24 inches deep. However, you can find them in various sizes.

In this guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about the dimensions of host stands and some of the best ways to organize a host stand.

What Is a Restaurant Host?

Before diving into the specifics of host stands, let’s first discuss what a restaurant host is.

A restaurant host’s face is the first thing guests see when they walk through the doors. The host’s job is to greet customers and direct them to their tables. In general, the host’s primary task is to create a welcoming environment that will hopefully lead to a wonderful dining experience.

In addition, it’s the host’s job to receive and manage reservations. They are the restaurant’s only connection with the outside world whenever the doors are shut, so it’s vital that they’re personable as well as well-organized.

However, not every restaurant has or even requires hosts. You’ll typically find them in sit-down, dine-in establishments, and event venues. Restaurants that don’t typically reach full capacity will very rarely if at all, have hosts.

When a host isn’t busy directing guests to their tables, you’ll usually find them in the front-of-house station behind a stand. There, they’ll conduct their administrative duties, including managing wait lists and seating arrangements, as well as picking up the phone for take-out orders or reservations.

What Is a Host Stand?

A host stand is a type of podium that the host uses to keep their materials organized. It will come with a flat surface on top for books and menus, and there will also be several shelves underneath for miscellaneous items.

Some host stands look exactly like a speaker’s podium but without a microphone. Instead, on top of the stand will sit a menu (book or sheet), while the host stands behind it to inform guests of what the restaurant can and cannot serve.

Host Stand Dimensions

If you take a look at Web Restaurant Store, you’ll find that host stands come in a wide assortment of shapes, sizes, and materials.  

The most common dimensions of a host stand are 40 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and about 26 inches deep. As for the work surface, they’ll usually measure around 45 inches in width and 24 inches in depth.

Below, I’ll list a few top-selling host stands and their dimensions to give you an idea of how large they are.

Does My Restaurant Need a Host Stand?

It depends on how busy your restaurant gets.

While some restaurants have waiters or waitresses man the host stand, they’re more commonly used in upper-echelon establishments with dress codes and reservation-only service. While you can certainly have a host stand in your mom and pop restaurant, it might not fit well with the atmosphere.

In addition, if there’s nobody there to man the host station, incoming guests might become uninterested in dining at your restaurant. Since the host stand can make it feel like someone should be there to greet you, an empty host stand might make it look like your restaurant isn’t interested in serving any more customers.

On the other hand, if your employees can manage to run the host station well, then customers might become impressed by the level of thought you put into making enhancing their dining experience.

In the end, a host stand and station can benefit your establishment if and only if you know how to use it properly.

How to Organize a Host Stand

The type of host stand you get will determine how to utilize it. The host stands with multiple shelves, and a wide work surface can help hosts keep their materials organized. That way, they can do their job without becoming flustered in the middle of the dining service.

Here are a few tips you can implement to organize your restaurant’s host stand.

Utilize the individual compartments/shelves

Some host stands will come with multiple shelves. They can be used to keep materials, such as reservation books and notes, away from the customers’ gazes. Also, make sure the landline is tucked away in one of the shelves to prevent them from blaring their ringing tones in the middle of dinner.

Keep important documents on the work surface

The work surface of a host stand is the flat top that hosts can use to jot down and update their notes. Some of the most important materials that should remain on top of the work surface include the seating chart, the menu, and the waiting list. That way, the host won’t have to scramble through multiple shelves, drawers, or compartments, which may keep patrons waiting for much longer than they’d like.

Point the host stand toward the dining area

While this doesn’t exactly help with organizing the host stand, it can help the host or hostess stay on top of things. With the dining area in their direct line of sight at all times, they can move from the host station to a certain table at a moment’s notice, thereby limiting how long it takes for guests to get the service they hoped for.

Provide ample clearance between the host stand and the wall

The host stand will ideally be located at the front of your restaurant and in front of a wall. However, make sure it’s not too close to the wall. Doing so can prevent the host from moving in and out of the host station.