To set up special dates in Bookings, access the dashboard and select the venue if multiple exist. Open Configuration, then Special Dates to create or edit special days. Configure settings like active status, booking type, party size, tables, same-day bookings, charges, pet policies, and customer info collection (allergens, dietary needs, special occasions, upgrades). Set custom service hours for each day. Special Days help manage one-off availability changes, closures, or events.
1. Go to Bookings
To set up special dates, you can go to Bookings to open the dashboard.
(If you have only one venue, selecting Venues will take you straight to your Bookings.)
1.5. Select Venue
If you have multiple venues, select the correct venue for which you are looking to make a booking.
2. Open Configuration
Configuration is where all venue settings for bookings can be created and enabled.
Then select Special dates in Config
3. Create or Edit a Special Day
Click the Create button to create a new special day, or use the pencil icon to edit an existing one. This opens the configuration panel.
4. Configure Special Date Settings
Basic Setup
When creating or editing a special date, start by completing the top section:
- Active Status: Turn on and off depending on whether this booking type is available.
- Booking Type Name: Enter the name of your booking type (e.g. Drinks)
- Party Size Range: Determine the minimum and maximum party size that can book for this booking type.
- Reason Information: Create a summary for the special date.
More Basic Setup
- Tables & Availability: Set specific tables that are available for this special date. (Note: If left blank, all tables will be available)
- Same Day Bookings: Toggle if you will allow guests to make a booking on the same day.
- Charges & Policies: Set if you want to enable cancellation or deposit requirements. (Note: A Stripe account is required to enable these)
- Pet-Friendly Bookings: Set if you allow dogs and how many per booking.
- Collect Room Number: Used for Hotels. Ask for the guest's room number.
Customer Collection
- Allergen Information: Toggle to enable the option for guests to enter their allergen information ahead of time (Note: You will need to add all relevant allergens under Allergen Options)
- Dietary Requirements: Toggle to enable the option for guests to enter their dietary requirements ahead of time
- Special Occasions: Toggle to allow customers to mark if they are visiting for a special occasion (e.g. Birthday, Anniversary, etc)
- Booking Upgrades: If you have upgrades available, set these so that customers can choose while booking
Service Hours
Set custom open and close times for each day of the week within the special date range.
⏱ Note: Service hours work alongside your default booking duration.
For example, if your last booking should be at 8pm and the default duration is 2 hours, set service hours until 10pm to allow that booking to appear as an option.
💡 Pro Tip:
Use Special Days to control one-off changes in availability, perfect for early closures, ticketed events, or reduced capacity. Combine this with table overrides, custom service hours, and cover limits to stay in full control.