Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dîner en Noir?
Le Dîner en Noir is a members-only, 3-part, black-attire, themed dining experience usually consisting of an Aperitif Cocktail Hour, Seated Dinner and Digestif After-Dinner Party which takes place as secret locations in cities across the U.S. Its ain is to promote and support the local arts & small business communities of the host city.
What do I need to bring to the event?
WHAT TO BRING
Depending on your registration option, guests will need to the below items:
All Guests
Printed electronic confirmation (online registration)
1 form of ID for each person (guests must be 21 years old minimum)
Dining Experience Registered Guests:
1 square folding table (between 27” x 27” x 27 and 2 black folding chairs (or black chair covers)
Black picnic basket/hamper (may be covered in black fabric)
Picnic Basket Items:
1 black tablecloth and 2 black cloth napkins
2 black plates and 2 dessert plates (non-disposable)
2 sets of cutlery (no plastic)
2 glasses
1 quality meal for two: first course, main course, cheese, dessert, bread…
1 wine bottle opener
Water, non-alcoholic drinks
1 black garbage bag
1 matchbox or 1 lighter (to light the sparklers)
1 vase and bouquet - colorful flowers allowed (optional)
Lights or electric votive candles
Recommended Tips
Use a trolley to carry your table and chairs – Highly recommended!
In case of rain, please bring a transparent and /or black raincoat, poncho, or umbrella
Plated & Full Experience Registered Guests:
Just bring your guest and yourself!
What is the typical cost at attend a Dîner en Noir event?
While Event Registration Costs are determined by your event organizer, Host City, and depends on your Experience option, the below costs are approximate:
Dining Experience: $130.00
Plated Experience: $260.00
Full Experience: $390.00 *
Plated Table of 6: $680.00 **
Full Table of 6: $1,000 **
* Full Experience registration is an all-inclusive package with access to "Founder's Lounge (includes heavily pass hors d'oeuvres & open bar during the Apéritif Cocktail Hour & Digestif "After-Dîner" Party, sponsor demonstrations, etc.), pairings during seated dinner, VIP gift bags, and more!
** At least THREE table guests MUST be A #DEN Member
ALL EXPERIENCE REGISTRATION OPTIONS INCLUDE ADMISSION FOR THE MEMBER & ONE GUEST.
For information on Registration Options, please visit www.dinerennoir.com/about.
Membership & Transaction Fees
Annual Membership Fee varies and depends on the city, promotion and when membership is secured. Membership Fees can range from $29 - $59 per member (membership is required for registration and attendance fo any event) and payable directly to Dîner en Noir Worldwide. This annual fee ensures that registered members have the priority of being automatically re-invited to the following year’s event; they can also sponsor a friend to attend the event and join the Dîner en Noir National Network. There is also a 10-15% Ticket Sale Transactional Fee that goes to Dîner en Noir Worldwide. For more information on fees, please visit https://www.dinerennoir.com/membership.
Are tickets/registrations refundable, transferable or upgradeable?
We maintain a NON REFUNDABLE/ALL SALES FINAL on Membership and Event registration.
However, registrations/tickets MAY be transferred if:
- the transferee is a current eligible member with Member Benefits for that same city as the registration.
- the registration current cost is the same as it was when the registration was initially purchased. PLEASE NOTE: We CANNOT charge an adjusted amount or for the price differential.
Unfortunately, tickets/registration CANNOT be upgraded. Consider selling/gift the purchases tickets to an eligible member and purchasing the desired ticket.
For more information on policies, please visit www.dinerennoir.com/policies.
Can Memberships be transferred & refunded?
We maintain a NO REFUNDS/ALL SALES FINAL on Membership and Event registration.
However, if an EXTRA membership is purchased under the SAME email address for the same city, we may allow you to gift the membership to a member-eligible person if:
- the transferee is member-eligible (has not been banned previously)
- the Membership Fee is the same as it was when the membership was initially purchased (there was no increase in price). PLEASE NOTE: We CANNOT charge an adjusted amount or for the price differential.
If you've purchased two memberships for the same city under different email addresses, we unfortunately, can't assist with you rectifying the issue.
For more information on policies, please visit www.dinerennoir.com/policies.
I've purchase to the wrong/additional membership or ticket by mistake, what can I do.
Unfortunately, we maintain a strict No Refund/All Sales Final Policy. This means that no refunds will be offered for any reason whatsoever.
If an incorrect or additional membership was purchased, consider gifting that membership to a family member, friend or co-worker.
The correct membership will need to be purchased to attend any corresponding events for that city.
Is Dîner en Noir associated with Dîner en Blanc?
No. While there are certain similarities, Dîner en Noir (#DEN) has no association with either Dîner en Blanc - Paris, Dîner en Blanc - International or any Dîner en Blanc local affiliates. #DEN is a community-based benefit event that aims is to support & promote the local arts & business communities of our Host Cities.
What is the typical time frame for organizing a Dîner en Noir event?
Organizing a large-scale event like Dîner en Noir requires a great deal of commitment and preparation. We generally require a minimum of 3 months to help you organize and execute your event.
How do I organize a Dîner en Noir event in my city?
Dîner en Noir Worldwide has established an exclusive service to facilitate the organization and management of Dîner en Noir events nation-wide, and soon to be worldwide. This turnkey service enables interested local teams to produce Dîner en Noir events in their own city, while also connecting to the organizer/host to our National Network. For more information on organizing your own event, please visit https://www.dinerennoir.com/organize.
What is the selection process for hosting a Dîner en Noir event in my city?
To apply to host/organize a Diner en Noir event, please visit https://www.dinerennoir.com/organize to submit an inquiry form. We will review your information, and if your team is qualified, we will schedule a Skype/conference call to continue the application process and give you more information regarding the organization of a Dîner en Noir event. Please take note that we will only consider applications if all requested information has been submitted.
Are there any costs associated with becoming an Host-Organizer of a Dîner en Noir event?
Dîner en Noir Worldwide charges an initial licensing fee for all first-time hosts/organizers. This licensing fee allows for use of trademarks and all support services. First-time hosts will also be responsible for transportation & accommodation for a Dîner en Noir Corporate management team member if the event is located more than 2 hours from the Washington, DC headquarters. Local hosts must understand, however, that by undertaking this project, they accept the responsibilities associated with hosting a large-scale event and commit to respecting the guidelines and specifications intended to preserve the spirit and the values of Le Dîner en Noir.
For more information visit www.dinerennoir.com/organize.
What sponsorship/partnership opportunities exist with Dîner en Noir?
Dîner en Noir Worldwide prides itself on its association with some of the most exciting and elegant brands worldwide; however, this event is a dinner among friends, community members and like-minded folks coming together to celebrate food, arts, business and community. Sponsorship opportunities are limited to ensure the quality of the event and to promote its valued elegance, gourmet cuisine, and refinement. For more information, please see www.dinerennoir.com/partner.
Are Dîner en Noir events legal?
Absolutely! All events are produced in accordance with Le Dîner en Noir Corporate strict guidelines and require local hosts to acquire the proper authorization, permits, and insurances before proceeding with their event. Dîner en Noir Corporate requires strict adherence to locals laws and policies.
I was invited by a member to attend the last Dîner en Noir. Will I automatically be invited back this year?
Unfortunately, you will not automatically receive an invitation to this following events. The current online system allows for one “registered member” and one “invited guest” per ticket, making registered members the only ones to be automatically re-invited. In the near future, all Dîner en Noir participants may become members, and both people will be automatically re-invited the following year. Until we make this change, you may return this year with the same person, get invited/sponsored by another member, or register to the waiting list to become a member yourself.
What are the key rules of the event?
Le Dîner en Noir requires exemplary citizenship and discipline from the members & participants. Here are several of the main rules:
- Guests must commit to attending, rain or shine, no matter the circumstance.
- Exude Elegance … in UNDISTURBED BLACK (includes accessories, jewelry, shoes, etc - may be changed by organizer/host). *** EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ***. Originality is encouraged, as long as it remains elegant and tasteful.
- Follow the Volunteer Leader’s, Organizer/Host instructions. Le Dîner en Noir maintains a 100% NO TOLERANCE Policy for rude, disrespectful or harassing behavior to our hosts/organizers, guests, staff members, event partners, etc. either in person, via phone or email.
- Arrive and leave with your Leader. Nobody arrives at the site on their own.
- All guest must be at least 21 years of age.
- Drink Responsibly.
- Clean up: Take all your garbage to the trash with you and clean the area around your table.
Guest MUST NOT share the confidential event, website, registration, access codes, location or any relevant, patron personal/confidential information.
Failure to comply with any of these rules may result in rejection of the event or immediate ejection/expulsion from the event. Please note that members who disrespect Dîner en Noir rules will result in the name and email being blacklisted, prohibiting them from registering for any future editions. Please read Terms, Conditions of Use and Policies CAREFULLY at www.dinerennoir.com/policies.
How many events does Dîner en Noir have in each city?
Dîner en Noir usually hosts 1-2 main events each year and smaller "Salon" events throughout the year.
Are Dîner en Noir event tickets tax-deductible?
While Dîner en Noir supports and donates 25% of it profits to support local non-profit organizations/programs, Dîner en Noir is a for-profit entity and therefore, any funds paid by way of event registration, membership, etc. are NOT tax-deductible.
When will the date for my city be announced?
Follow Dîner en Noir's social media accounts. The Save the Date notifications will go up on their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. • If you are a current member or added the #DENCommunity for your city at www.thedenloft.com/evip, you’ll receive a Save the Date email notification. • Please make sure your email on file is correct and that you have access to it.
#DEN event dates are usually released 4 - 8 weeks prior to the event date. If the event date is NOT listed on your Host City's event webpage, it has not been announced.
Depending on when membership is purchased, there may be 2 - 9 months from the time of purchase to the time the event date is announced as we usually host our events during the spring & fall months. If a membership is listed for your city for that year, then an event is expected to take place during that calendar year. Current members will receive an email invitation to register 24-48 hours prior to their TIER-Specific Registration opening
PLEASE NOTE: Once the date is announced, the membership price increase drastically.
Where is the location of the Dîner en Noir Event?
The location for each Diner en Noir event will be announced to each registered guest on the date of the event, several hours prior to the Meet-Up Time.
If there is no need for travel time (Rendezvous Location IS the venue location), the location announcement may not be until 5 hours prior to event start time.
Absolutely NO location information will be given out prior to the Rendezvous Location announcement email/text of registered guests.
Wondering if the event will be outside or inside? Know that if event is held outside, we make all preparations (tents, heat lamps, etc.) for weather conditions.
Will Dîner en Noir be cancelled do to inclement weather?
No, Diner en Noir events are never "canceled" and are rain or shine events. However, depending on the season/time of year we're hosting the event, we always make weather accommodations. In some extreme instances, we may postpone an event until a later date.
Wondering if the event will be outside or inside? Know that if event is held outside, we make all preparations (tents, heat lamps, etc.) for weather conditions.
I can't access/find my Profile (deleted). What happened?
Chances are, IF you completed a member profile and you it cannot be found when attempting to sign in, one of the following occurred:
1) Your profile was deleted because you have NOT completed the membership profile and PAID for a membership paid Subscription Plan. Any profiles without a Subscription Plan associated with them after the 6-HOUR deadline go into the cue to delete.
2) It could be that you used a different email when creating your profile.
3) Your profile was incomplete and did not contain an updated profile photo, address, valid email address, or a paid Subscription.