In the previous lesson, we learned how to add availability to tables - this can come in many different shapes and sizes. However, what if you don't want a table to be booked? We call these re-occurring blockouts.

This is not the place for 'one-time' blockouts such as Christmas or Easter.

One-time blockouts are performed in the Blockout tab, which is covered in the Blockouts & Override tab.

Before We Start

Below will take you through some common questions we get at WOWAPPS. Just remember if you're wanting to block out full times on a weekly basis you must select 'All Tables' and then put a 0.

If wanting to select an individual table, then select that table. 

In this example, we have said we only ever want people to book at 6 pm, 7 pm, or 8 pm; but on a Friday, we only ever want bookings of 3 or more.

Adding a Re-occurring Blockout: 

1. Make sure you are in the Tables section of the Availability tab.
2. From the Table column, select All Tables.
3. Select '0' in the Available section.
4. Hover over the desired period in the Timeslots area and click on the drop down arrows.
5. Additional times will appear after clicking. By checking each individual checkbox, you can choose which times you DO NOT want customers to book.
6. Next, select the days on which your availability blockout recurs.
7. If you want to add another, use the Add Another option or, when finished click Save.

Remember to keep track of your Intervals and test regularly.

As discussed in the previous lesson, this is where your 'Intervals' and 'Start Time' will be significant factors.

While the timeslots will always be displayed in 15-minute intervals, you may find yourself blocking out times that are never displayed, or restricting availability as a result of this. If unsure you have set this up correctly, just remember to test using the 'Preview and Links' tab.

Re-occurring Blockout Availability Example 1:

The following examples will assume interval times of 30 minutes - we will go over this in greater detail later.

We have a venue that is only open from 5 pm-10 pm, but we would like the first booking slot to begin at 6 pm and the last booking slot to begin at 8.30 pm. This is the procedure that will be followed for the set-up:

Reoccurring Blockout Availability Example 2:

This location is open seven days a week from 11 am to 10 pm. The venue is open for take-out, but only for a sit-down lunch on Wednesdays, but for dinner seven days a week.

Reoccurring Blockout Availability Example 3:

In this example, we have a venue that is only open from 5 pm-10 pm but prefers to take bookings at 5.30 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm Sunday through Thursday and 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm and 8 pm Friday through Saturday.

What's Next?

Step 11 - Adding a Recurring Availability/Blockouts to Specific Dates