Staplehouse Is the First Atlanta Restaurant on the Tock Ticketing System

Staplehouse, the highly anticipated Old Fourth Ward eatery that gives back, is close to officially opening its doors. The restaurant has been hosting a series of preview dinners, and in doing so has become the first Atlanta restaurant to use Tock, Chicago restaurateur Nick Kokonas' new ticketing system.

As opposed to reservation sites like OpenTable, Tock sells restaurant "experiences," which diners pay for in advance. Staplehouse proprietor Jen Hidinger tells Eater Atlanta her restaurant will sell fixed-price dinner tickets for 40 seats in the main dining room while allowing walk-ups to eat at the indoor bar and on the patio.

"Our patio will be first-come, first-served; a la carte; and communal," Hidinger says. "Very casual and a little higher energy than inside, perhaps. We've got 30 seats out there. We also have a main dining room bar that will be first-come, first-served; a la carte; and based off the same main dining room menu. So, a guest could arrive without a booking for our main dining room and still enjoy what we have to offer in there at the bar."

Staplehouse, located at 541 Edgewood Avenue, is the evolution of Hidinger's pop-up with her late husband and chef Ryan. Former Empire State South chef Ryan Smith helms the kitchen, and proceeds from the restaurant benefit The Giving Kitchen. Hidinger expects to officially open to the public in the next couple of weeks.