Guide
How to take deposits on table bookings
A deposit turns "we might come" into "we are coming". Used for the right bookings, it all but ends no-shows for big groups and busy nights, without putting off the couple booking a Tuesday dinner.
Deposit or card hold?
Deposit: a set amount per person is taken when they book and taken off the bill on the night. Best for events, set menus and Christmas, where you are buying stock for them. Card hold: their card is saved and nothing is taken unless they do not turn up or cancel too late. Best for ordinary busy nights, because it feels friendlier. Our article on deposits vs card holds goes into more detail.
When should you ask?
- Parties of six or more (or whatever size hurts if they do not show).
- Events, tasting menus, Christmas and New Year.
- Friday and Saturday nights, if no-shows are a problem.
Do not ask on every booking unless you have to. A small table on a quiet night is better off with a reminder email.
How much?
£5 to £10 a head for ordinary dining, or a share of the menu price for events (for example £10 on a £35 Christmas menu). Enough to make people think twice about not turning up, not so much that it stops them booking.
Refunds and cancellations
Set a clear cancellation window, such as 48 hours, and put it in your booking terms. Cancel in time and the deposit is refunded or the hold released; miss the window and you keep it. Being clear up front is what makes it fair, and it is what card processors expect.
How to set it up in Nabsie
- Open a free account at stripe.com. Stripe pays into your own bank account; Nabsie never touches the money.
- In Stripe, go to Developers, API keys. Copy the two keys into Nabsie under Settings, Deposits.
- Add the webhook address shown on that page into Stripe and paste the signing secret back into Nabsie.
- Choose deposit or card hold, the amount per person, which party sizes and days it applies to, and your cancellation window.
- Make a test booking on your own card to see what customers see.
Stripe charges its own card fee per payment; Nabsie adds nothing on top. Deposits are on Pro at £29.99 a month, and we will set it up with you for free if you would like.
FAQ
Deposit questions
Is it legal to take a deposit for a restaurant booking in the UK?
Yes. Deposits and no-show charges are common in UK hospitality. Make your terms clear when people book, including how much, when it is refunded and the cancellation window.
Does Nabsie take a cut of deposits?
No. Payments go through your own Stripe account. Stripe charges its standard card fee; Nabsie takes nothing.
Can I take deposits only for big groups?
Yes. Set the party size it starts from and the days it applies to. Smaller tables book as normal.
What happens if they do not turn up?
With a deposit, you keep it. With a card hold, mark the booking as a no-show and the card is charged. Holds are released automatically if they arrive or cancel in time.