On any given week, Roth’s Wine Bar & Cellar could be hosting a packed trivia night, live local music, its monthly comedy club or simply a room full of friends sharing wood-fired pizzas over a great bottle of wine. That’s exactly what owner Callum Richardson envisioned, a venue that feels less like a traditional wine bar and more like Mudgee’s living room.
With capacity for up to 150 guests, Roth’s has become one of the region’s buzziest social destinations. Locals treat it as their regular meeting place, while visitors quickly discover it’s much more than somewhere to grab a drink. The venue blends a relaxed atmosphere with a constantly evolving calendar of events, creating a space that’s equally suited to spontaneous catch-ups and planned celebrations.
Running a venue like that, however, requires far more than filling tables. Every service is different, and no two weeks look exactly the same.
We spoke with Callum Richardson about how Now Book It helps Roth’s stay organised behind the scenes while preserving the laid-back guest experience the venue is known for.
"The goal has always been to make the venue feel easy for guests, even though there's a lot happening behind the scenes."
Running a venue that never runs the same service
Many reservation systems are designed around predictable restaurant services. Roth’s isn’t.
One evening might revolve around large social bookings, while the next is dominated by trivia teams, live music or comedy audiences arriving throughout the night. Add regular walk-ins, visitors exploring Mudgee’s wine region and locals dropping in on a whim, and the booking diary quickly becomes far more dynamic than a standard restaurant service.
For Callum and the team, the challenge wasn’t simply taking reservations—it was finding a system flexible enough to reflect how the venue actually operates.
Large group bookings needed to work alongside casual walk-ins. Event nights required different table configurations. Staff needed visibility before every shift, while guests expected an effortless booking experience that matched the relaxed atmosphere inside the venue.
Without the right technology, that often meant juggling messages, manually adjusting bookings and constantly reshuffling tables throughout the day.
“Our biggest challenge has always been balancing bookings with spontaneity. We never wanted the booking system to dictate how people experience the venue,” explained Callum.
Building structure without losing spontaneity
After moving to Now Book It, much of that complexity disappeared. Instead of constantly adjusting reservations throughout the day, the team can rely on live availability that reflects exactly what’s happening across the venue. As bookings come in, staff have a clear picture of the night ahead, making it easier to prepare for busy services, events and larger groups before guests even arrive.
That visibility has significantly reduced the day-to-day mental load of running the floor.
Rather than spending valuable time answering booking enquiries, updating availability or rearranging tables, the team can focus on creating the welcoming atmosphere Roth’s is known for.
Importantly, the flexibility works both ways.
Guests can book confidently online, while the venue still retains the freedom to accommodate walk-ins and those spontaneous visits that have always been part of Roth’s identity.
Whether it’s a quiet Tuesday evening or a sold-out comedy night, the booking system adapts to the venue, not the other way around.
Now Book It lets us keep that relaxed feeling for guests, but behind the scenes everything is much more organised. Staff know what the night looks like before service even starts."
Making events easier to manage
Events have become one of Roth’s defining features, and Now Book It plays an important role in helping them run smoothly.
Weekly trivia, regular live music and monthly comedy nights all bring different booking behaviours, arrival times and seating requirements. Rather than creating additional administrative work, the platform allows the team to confidently plan each event while maintaining clear visibility over table allocations and guest numbers. Having reservations managed alongside event services means the team can better prepare staffing, manage capacity and maintain the flow of service throughout the evening.
“Every event is different, but the system gives us confidence that we’ve got everything under control before the doors even open.”
Instead of reacting as guests arrive, staff begin each shift with an accurate understanding of what the night will bring. That preparation allows Roth’s to continue growing its events calendar without adding unnecessary operational complexity.
Turning first-time guests into regulars with First Table
Reservations are just one part of how Roth’s continues to grow.
The venue also uses Now Book It’s integration with First Table, introducing new diners who may never have visited before. By making it easier for guests to discover the venue during quieter trading periods, the integration creates valuable opportunities to convert first-time visitors into loyal locals.
For a destination like Mudgee, where tourism plays a significant role alongside a strong local community, attracting new guests while keeping existing ones engaged is an important balance.
“It’s all connected, which makes life easier. We don’t have to manage different systems or worry about bookings falling through the cracks.”
The seamless integration means First Table bookings flow directly into the reservation diary, eliminating double handling for staff while ensuring every booking is managed from one central platform.
Gift cards that keep guests coming back
Roth’s also uses Now Book It’s digital gift cards to extend the guest experience well beyond a single visit.
Gift cards have become an important revenue stream, particularly during holiday periods, birthdays and celebrations, while also introducing new diners to the venue. The benefits don’t stop with the initial purchase.
On average, guests redeeming gift cards spend around 20% more than the voucher’s value, creating additional revenue while encouraging visitors to explore more of the food and wine offering.
Whether it’s adding another bottle of local wine, ordering an extra round of tapas or finishing the evening with dessert, gift cards consistently generate value beyond their original purchase.
Combined with Roth’s strong community following, they’re another simple way the venue keeps guests returning throughout the year.
Walk into Roth’s on any evening and it simply feels like people are enjoying themselves. That effortless atmosphere isn’t accidental. Technology should work quietly in the background, giving hospitality teams more time to focus on people, not processes.
At the end of the day, guests shouldn't notice the booking system. They should just notice that everything runs smoothly, and that's exactly what Now Book It helps us do,”
Book a table at Roth’s Wine Bar & Cellar
Now Book It tip: Book early and come hungry – Roth’s works best when you treat it as your experience for the night, not just dinner.
