In restaurants it's almost always the deducted form: €10 per person for groups of six or more, taken off the bill at the end of the night. It serves both sides: the customer has a light commitment, the restaurant filters out those who booked out of habit or in three places the same evening. Asking for it in one explained line — “for groups we ask for a deposit of €10 per person, deducted from the bill” — is the difference between a normal practice and friction.
The fine legal distinction (whether the deposit is confirmatory or a penalty) matters little in the dining room: what matters is making it clear in writing, in the chat, what happens to the sum in every case — shows up, cancels with notice, doesn't show up. One clear message before the night prevents ninety per cent of the arguments after.
Frequently asked questions
- How much deposit should you ask for a group?
- A common ballpark is €10-20 per person, or 20-30% of the estimated bill for events. The goal isn't to cover the whole lost revenue but to create a real commitment: it just has to 'cost' something to walk away.
- Is the deposit refunded if the customer cancels?
- It depends on how you wrote it. The honest practice: with enough notice you refund or reschedule, without notice you keep it. State the rule when you collect, not after the fact.