You can’t be overdressed for dinner at Canlis, the 74-year-old Seattle fine dining restaurant, set in a stunning mid-century modern building. All year long, third-generation owners and brothers Mark and Brian Canlis lead a team of more than 100 staff members through the restaurant’s standard seven-course tasting menu of New American and Pacific Northwest fare.
But on New Year’s Eve, the Canlis team transforms the restaurant for an annual blowout costume party. Each year has a different theme to get guests excited about dressing in costume and dancing into the night.
“The parties we throw are super fun, elaborate, and not fancy, but it’s still fine dining, because there’s that intentionality behind it,” says dining room manager Kelsey Thibodeau. “It’s on brand because it’s purposeful.”
In 2023, Canlis chose a Midnight on the High Seas theme. For one night, the restaurant itself was transformed. The team created a ball pit “sea,” installed a mechanical bull dressed up as a shark, and turned their dance floor into the deck of a pirate ship, complete with a mast.
“We put this much intention and planning into every single day, but for the parties, we’re just doing it differently,” Thibodeau says. “The community involvement is huge.”
Putting on a New Year’s Eve bash à la Canlis takes months of planning and strict attention to detail. The last thing the team wants is to be worrying about setting up the event on their reservation platform or putting out fires with guest communication, especially as everyday business ramps up in December. With support from Tock, they’re able to provide flawless service day to day while ensuring that big events like Midnight on the High Seas go off without a hitch.
“I’ve used Tock now at two fine dining restaurants, and I can attest that it is a wonderful platform,” Thibodeau says. “I really enjoy it.”
Here’s how Canlis uses Tock to provide the impeccable guest experience that’s been its signature for generations—and execute big, creative events like Midnight on the High Seas, which brought in $139k in revenue.
Challenge
Manage online reservations in a way that’s streamlined, modern, and efficient—but allows for a personal, intentional touch.
Tock Solution
Canlis uses Tock for their standard tasting menu reservations as well as special events. This provides guests with one convenient, frictionless way to book while storing essential information for the staff on a single platform. The service team pulls reports from Tock to plan each night’s seating arrangements by hand and review detailed guest data before the pre-shift meeting.
“Canlis is very much a maitre d’-driven restaurant. Each night, we’re figuring out, what’s the vibe? Where are these people going? What energy needs to be created?” Thibodeau says. “We’re keeping in-depth notes on our guests for every occasion, learning about people before they come in, and trying to create the best fit for their evening. Tock makes it easy to manage all this information.”
Results
- Robust data collection and customizable layouts streamline table management for staff.
- Guests enjoy a convenient online booking process that still allows staff to personalize seating and service.
Challenge
Create and promote polished, engaging special events alongside everyday reservations.
Tock Solution
With Tock’s robust, versatile platform, Canlis can manage business-as-usual reservations and special experiences all in one place. Thibodeau values the platform’s simple, intuitive interface for creating experiences like the New Year’s Eve bash.
“Events are really intuitive to build in Tock,” she says. “It prompts you with all the things someone might have a question about, so you can’t forget to include anything. That’s really helpful when you’re planning something big.”
Once an event goes live, Tock’s clear, easy-to-navigate interface guides guests smoothly through the booking process while highlighting each unique offering.
“From the guest perspective, Tock is very easy to use. There’s no question about what to do when you’re trying to get a ticket for something, which is really great,” Thibodeau says. “You build it out, set the time, and you can sit back and relax while watching it get booked, which is really wonderful.”
Results
- Intuitive, reliable tools make creating events simple and easy.
- Experience pages are clear and convenient for guests to navigate.
Challenge
Reach support staff and get answers fast when questions arise.
Tock Solution
Whether it’s business as usual or a one-night-a-year event, issues with table management software can make or break an event or service and affect a restaurant’s bottom line. Tock prides itself on providing accessible, top-tier support and training tools to ensure smooth sailing and quick resolutions for its customers.
“I love that the team is there to answer questions when I have them,” Thibodeau says. “Tock is so open to our feedback. In every conversation I’ve had with them, the team has always been very receptive and excited about the future.”
Results
- Responsive customer support saves time, streamlines operations, and keeps guests happy.
Request a demo to learn more about switching to Tock. If you’re already a customer, talk to hospitality about launching a holiday experience today.
