GROUP RESERVATION INFORMATION:  WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
(Effective as of:  4-25-07)
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Ample parking for Motor Coaches, Trolleys, and Tour Busses:
During the reservation process, we will provide parking information based on the number of vehicles needed to transport your group. If necessary, we will have staff available to direct parking for your group.

Private Space for 80 or more guests:
If you guarantee the purchase of at least 80 entrees, you may reserve “private space” provided the date and time you wish to reserve is still available. Children’s meals such as pizzas and hot dogs do not count in the 80 meals guaranteed. There is no cost to reserve the space other than the cost of food and beverage, plus applicable Georgia sales tax and 20% gratuity.

Reservations for less than 80 guests:
You may reserve space for a group of 30 or more guests, provided the date and time you wish to reserve is still available. For less than 80 guests you will not be guaranteed exclusive use of any area. Your guests will all be seated in the same area so that you are “together”. There is no cost to reserve space other than the cost of food and beverage, plus applicable Georgia sales tax and 20% gratuity. Often, depending on the time of year, you may find your group seated “exclusively” depending on the level of business in the restaurant at that date and time.


ALL RESERVATIONS:
All guests with reservations will be seated under cover. If your preference is “outside”, we will make every effort to seat your group on our newly covered “Gator Party Deck”. If you wish “inside” seating, we will make every effort to seat your group in our screened and covered “Party Shack”. Due to our heavy business patterns, and the outdoor nature of our restaurant, final seating for your group will be left to the discretion of our management…understanding that YOUR comfort and pleasure is first in our mind. We want you to be happy, but we must utilize our limited space for reserved seating to the best advantage of all our guests. Therefore, final seating – whether on the Gator Party Deck, or in the Party Shack will be determined by our management.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE:

Prices for food and beverage, no matter the size of your group are those prices in effect at the time you book your party. Prices are shown on our on-line menu. These prices may change without notice, but before you book, you will know exactly what you will be paying if there has been any price change from those shown on-line.

FOOD:
You may select your food and beverage from our menu which appears on our website at www.thecrabshack.com
There are two options:

1. Allow your guests to order from our menu upon their arrival, or

2. Pre-select and item or items you wish to offer your guests. We will prepare a special
menu to present your guests (without prices) from which they may order.

3. No food may be brought in other than a cake appropriate to the occasion.

BEVERAGES:
All beverages are additional. Soft beverages are offered with free refills.
Alcoholic beverage prices are based on consumption. We do not offer a “per head” price for alcoholic beverages, and we do not offer drinks by “tickets”. You may offer your guests a full bar which you host and pay for or you may offer a cash bar with each guest paying for his or her own alcohol.
You may offer wine by the glass, or you may purchase bottles of wine from which your guests may pour. We have a wide variety and great selection of wines on our menu. If you prefer to bring in wine, it must be opened by our bartender and brought to your table by our servers. There is a $10.00 per bottle corkage charge.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

May we come in early and decorate?
Normally, the space you will be using will have been in use by others up 30 minutes before you arrive, so prior decorating is not always possible, especially during our busy season. This is handled on a case-by-case basis. We cannot be responsible for decorations. Most people choose our restaurant for the ambiance and are happy with our own special “look” and don’t want to change that.

May we bring a cake early in the day?
We cannot be responsible for tiered cakes, or cakes that must be constructed on site. A sheet cake may be delivered up to two hours prior to your event.

How long may we use the space?
If your reservation is for Private space with 80 or more entrees, you may stay up to 3 hours, with the understanding that you must vacate the space at our closing time which is 10PM every night except Friday and Saturday, when we close at 11PM.  If your group is less than 80, you should feel free to relax and enjoy your guests, the meal and our ambiance. But, realize also, that we may have other guests who’ve reserved space after you. This is always handled on a case-by-case basis. You should ask about this a day or so in advance of your event so you’ll know.

What about vegetarians in my group?
The only vegetables we offer are corn, potatoes and cole slaw. If you have need of a vegetarian meal(s), make certain we know in advance so we can prepare and price this for you. If we don’t know in advance, your choice will be limited to those items on our menu

What about seafood allergies?
For guests with allergies to seafood, or religious preferences that prohibit consumption of seafood, we offer Chicken, Pork Ribs, and Barbecue Pork. Refer to our on-line menu to make your choices.

What is the deposit for a reservation?
We do not require a deposit for your space unless you book a reservation and someone else calls to book the exact same date and time. At that point, we would contact you and request a deposit of 50% of the estimated food and beverage cost to hold your reservation. This deposit would be applied to the total cost of your party.

How do I pay you?
We accept MasterCard and Visa or Cash. We will accept a company check provided it is imprinted with all the company information and made payable for the exact amount of your party. We cannot issue “cash” back, so the check must be for the exact amount.

What if some of my guests don’t plan to eat?
Because we do not charge a room rental, we do require one entrée purchase for each guest in your group.

What is considered an entrée for the purpose of the guarantee?
An entrée is any item listed on our menu which is 10.99 or more. Sampler platters for 2 count as TWO entrées; 3 count as THREE; and 4 as FOUR. Hot dogs, Pizzas, BBQ Sandwiches, & Oysters are not considered entrées in this instance.

Do you offer any appetizers?
We don’t have an “appetizer” menu, but there are several items often ordered as appetizers. Cups of our Shack Crab Stew, Clam Chowder, Brunswick Stew make great apps. Oysters steamed by the dozen or bucket or raw on the half shell are great as appetizers. We offer steamed clams and mussels. We have an “appetizer” portion of boiled shrimp and crawfish which is available, but not shown on the menu.

When do you need a final head count?
For scheduling purposes, we must have a final head count – as close as possible – a week before your event. Once you book and give us a fiqure, you do not need to re-confirm unless your number of guests changes drastically – up or down.

When do you need menu selections?
We need your menu selections at the time you book your event and confirm the reservation. Changes are allowed up to a week before your event, but we must have your menu choices to book a firm reservation for you.

The Gratuity is added but may I tip my server(s) more?
It is perfectly acceptable to tip your servers any additional amount you wish if you feel their service enhanced your experience and that of your guests.

May I request a certain server or bartender?
If you have a favorite, every effort will be made to accommodate such requests, but we cannot guarantee a particular server or bartender.

May I bring my own music to play?
Our in-house system is set to play throughout the entire restaurant and property. It is not possible to use customer provided recorded music.

May I hire a band, combo or deejay?
If you have a private function, it is sometimes possible to provide entertainment for your guests. This is handled on a case-by-case basis, depending on the time of season, time of day, and space available.  ALL music must be at a decibel level that does not create a nuisance for our residential neighbors who surround our property. If entertainment provided by you results in complaints, lowering the volume to acceptable levels will be required.
There can be no music after 10PM on ANY night.

How long will you hold my reservation, if all or some of my guests are late arriving?
If you have guaranteed 80 or more entrées, your guests may arrive at the appointed starting time and any time after, up to the maximum time allowed your group for your function.  If your group is not guaranteed exclusive seating, it is important that you and all your guests arrive within 20 minutes of your reserved time so as not to lose your reservation. We cannot “hold” reservations for more than 20 minutes. If your reservation is for 40 people or fewer, we cannot seat anyone, until the entire group is present. If there are late-comers in your group, you could lose your reservation and experience a wait for a table.

How do I find out if the date/time I want to reserve are available?
Group reservations should be booked as far in advance as possible but at least two weeks in advance. We are not able to take a group reservation with less than 72 hours notice. The very quickest way to reserve space or inquire to e-mail Virginia@thecrabshack.com. She is the ONLY person who handles the party calendar and reservations to ensure we have no double bookings or errors. All parties are booked only IN WRITING, all arrangements are confirmed only IN WRITING. We cannot quote prices by phone and we cannot make arrangements by phone. An e-mail Monday through Thursday will normally be answered with 24 hours and no more than 48 hours. E-mails on Friday, Saturday or Sunday may not be answered until the following Monday because our offices are closed on those days.

Now that I’ve made my decisions, how do I book a party?
The very QUICKEST and most efficient way to book your party is by e-mail. If you have not received a confirmation from us within 72 hours after you e-mail, please feel free to e-mail to party@thecrabshack.com , as this goes to the main office.
You should e-mail Virginia@thecrabshack.com  Give all the particulars concerning date, time, number in your group, menu choices, special requirements, special needs, etc. If there is anything unclear, or additional information is needed, you will receive an e-mail to help clarify the matter.

No reservation is considered FIRM unless it is in writing, complete with menu selections and all details clearly listed, so e-mail is definitely the way to go. Snail mail is WAAAY too slow! And, as stated, no group reservations are taken or arranged by telephone. Written details allow all managers to access your group's information so there's no slip up between reservation and implementation.

OUR THANKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS!

Thank you for considering The Crab Shack for your special function. We realize you have many other options and we appreciate your business. Our restaurant is the perfect place for many events where a “less-formal” approach is desired. The Crab Shack is a great place for strangers to meet and leave as friends!

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