Booking windows
When do restaurant reservations open? Find the release time
There is no single reservation release time for every restaurant. Check the venue’s own reservation page for how far ahead it opens bookings, the release time and the time zone. A date outside that window may not be bookable yet, even if the calendar looks empty.
Know which kind of opening you are waiting for
A scheduled release makes a new date or batch of dates available. A cancellation can put a previously booked table back into circulation. Your next step depends on which one you need.
| Situation | Useful action |
|---|---|
| Your date has not opened | Confirm the release schedule and set a calendar reminder. |
| Your date opened and sold out | Look for an official alert or waitlist. |
| The date is missing for one service | Check opening days and special-event rules. |
| The restaurant gives no schedule | Ask when your specific date becomes bookable. |
A real example of a restaurant-specific schedule
In a July 2026 Resy interview, Gunshow’s chef de cuisine said reservations were released 30 days ahead at midnight. That is an example for Gunshow, not a rule for every restaurant on Resy. Confirm the venue’s current schedule and time zone before planning a booking attempt.
Turn the schedule into a usable reminder
Record your dining date, the number of days ahead or monthly release rule, the release time, the restaurant’s time zone and the reservation URL. Check whether special events or holidays have a separate process.
For a hypothetical restaurant that releases dates 30 days ahead, an October 20 dining date would open on September 20. Put the reminder in the restaurant’s named time zone rather than assuming your own midnight is the same moment.
- Find the rule on the official booking page.
- Work out the release date for the meal you want.
- Confirm the time zone, especially when traveling.
- Set a reminder and agree acceptable times with your group.
- Check the live conditions before confirming a table.
If nothing appears at the expected time
First confirm the date calculation, time zone, party size and opening day. Then check for a changed release policy or a private event. Avoid repeatedly refreshing an assumption you have not verified.
If the date has genuinely sold out, switch to the cancellation or walk-in route. A scheduled reminder and an availability alert solve different parts of the problem.
Keep the plan, lose the repeated checking
Slother is being developed around saved Watches for supported online bookings. The idea is to keep your acceptable dates, locations and preferences in one place. Coverage and launch availability are still to be confirmed.
Sources checked on . Booking policies can change; confirm details on the official booking page. Slother is independent of the platforms and restaurants mentioned.
