Esquire Lead Host

Location: 58 East Oak Street, Gold Coast, Chicago, IL Employment type: Full-time Classification: Hourly, tipped Reports to: Maitre'D

Why Esquire

Esquire is a 265-seat luxury steakhouse in Chicago’s Gold Coast where Japanese precision meets French technique — anchored by an elite Wagyu and seafood program, a four-level Wine Tower, the OakShō omakase counter, and the invitation-only Maison 58. We hold an uncompromising standard and hire people who want to set it, not just meet it. Esquire is operated by M Street Collective, the group behind Nashville’s Virago, Moto, Kayne Prime, and Saint Añejo.

Onboarding and training is estimated to begin mid-to-late October 2026. Because our permanent location is wrapping up construction, the initial onboarding and training may be adjusted. We will provide the exact address and finalized dates at least two weeks before training begins.

The Role

The senior host and shift lead of the door. The Lead Host runs the host stand through service, holds the arrival-and-departure standard, and is the Maître d's right hand in delivering hospitality and professionalism at the first and last impression.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the host team through service; manage the book, seating flow, and waitlist.
• Hold the arrival and departure standard; coach hosts on warmth and precision.
• Maintain the floor view and SevenRooms guest profiles; flag VIPs to the Maître d'.
• Run restroom and public-area checks; keep the entrance pristine.

What You Bring

• 2+ years hosting in upscale settings, including lead or senior shifts.
• Strong SevenRooms (or equivalent) and book-management fluency.
• Polished, warm, and organized under pressure.

Certifications & Requirements

• Illinois BASSET (alcohol) — RECOMMENDED where the role supervises or supports alcohol service.
• Illinois Food Handler — RECOMMENDED for anyone who handles food or food-contact surfaces.

Compensation — Pay Scale

$18.00–$19.00/hr base (lead premium over the $17.05 Chicago minimum) plus a share of the tip pool. Good-faith figure; the final offer is confirmed in writing.

Benefits & Perks

Eligible team members receive group medical, dental, and vision insurance (the Company pays part of the premium), a 401(k) plan, Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, and a confidential Employee Assistance Program. Time off includes Paid Time Off for eligible salaried positions, Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave, and paid bereavement leave, plus the protected leaves required by federal and Illinois law (FMLA, VESSA, military, jury, and voting). Tipped roles also share the tip pool (a good-faith estimate, not a guaranteed wage). Final plan details and eligibility are confirmed in the written offer.

How to Apply

Interested? Send your résumé — and references where applicable — to [email protected] or apply through the platform where you found this role.

Held to Esquire’s four pillars — quality, consistency, hospitality, and innovation — and the five universal competencies: professionalism, teamwork, growth mindset, excellence, and hospitality.

About Esquire

Esquire is a modern luxury steakhouse on Oak Street in Chicago’s Gold Coast — Japanese precision built on a French foundation, anchored by an elite Wagyu program and a seafood-and-sushi program that earns equal billing. Across a 265-seat dining room, a four-level ~5,000-bottle Wine Tower, the Trophy Room, the invitation-only 58 Club, and the OakShō omakase counter, it delivers omotenashi-inspired hospitality and culinary theater in a vintage-Hollywood setting.

About M Street Collective

M Street Collective is the hospitality group behind Esquire, with operations in Nashville and Chicago. Built on four pillars — quality, consistency, hospitality, and innovation — and a commitment to innovation, leadership development and world-class training, the Collective creates restaurants and experiences defined by an uncompromising standard and genuine, anticipatory care.

M Street Collective is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race (including traits associated with race under the CROWN Act), color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or family-responsibilities status, disability, military or veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, arrest or conviction record (as limited by law), credit history, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, Illinois, or Chicago law. Consistent with the Illinois Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act, we do not ask about criminal history on the application, and we do not ask about salary history. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities, for pregnancy and related conditions, and for religious observance — contact People Operations. This position is performed in Chicago, Illinois.

Experience

Required

• 2 year(s): Hosting in upscale settings, including lead or senior shifts

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

• IL Food Handler ANSI
• BASSET Certification (IL)

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.