Frequently Asked Questions

The Black Apron Society is an invitation-only dining and entertainment club based in Toronto. Each season features chef-driven dinners, curated cocktails, live performance, and a fully hosted atmosphere for a select group of guests.

No. We do not operate like a restaurant. Each dinner is a limited-seat, pre-produced event created with chefs, performers, and curated venues. Every night is its own one-time experience.

Events are held at select partner venues in Toronto. The confirmed location is shared with approved guests in their event brief once their seat is secured.

We cap each night at approximately 50 guests to keep the room intimate, cinematic, and well-paced for service and performance.

Most events take place on Friday or Saturday evenings, depending on the chef’s schedule and venue availability. Special showcases may be held on additional nights.

Doors typically open around 5:30 PM, with the program beginning at 7:00 PM. A full Black Apron Society night runs approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, including dinner, performances, and transitions.

Events are structured in seasons. Each season features a set number of dinner nights with a featured chef and concept. Additional mixers or showcases may be added based on demand.

A standard ticket includes a chef-driven multi-course plated dinner, host-led storytelling and program flow, live performance segments, DJ-scored atmosphere, and one complimentary welcome drink. Additional drinks and upgrades may be ordered through our cashless QR system.

At this time, we do not offer transportation or hotel packages. Your event brief will include recommended neighbourhoods and practical notes to help you plan your night and arrange pickups or drop-offs.

Membership guarantees first access and priority seating. Select seats may be released to approved applicants or waitlist guests if capacity allows, but members always receive the earliest booking window.

Guests submit an application outlining their interests, dining preferences, and availability. Applications are reviewed for fit with the Society’s atmosphere and values. Approved guests receive priority notifications and booking access for the upcoming season.

Yes. Members may skip a dinner, but because each seat is reserved and produced in advance, a seat-holding fee is required to keep your spot for the season and remain in good standing. Details and amounts are included in your member brief.

Yes. Couples may apply together. Both applicants must align with the Society’s values and atmosphere. If accepted, you will receive linked seating for the dinner night.

Yes — up to four people maximum. Groups larger than four can affect the balance of the room and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All guests must apply individually, but you may list each other for seating purposes.

Yes. After securing your seat, you can list allergies and dietary restrictions in your Member Portal. The chef reviews every submission and confirms what adjustments can be made for that night’s menu.

It depends on the chef and the menu. Many nights can accommodate certain dietary needs, but not all menus can be fully adapted without changing the experience. We will always confirm what is possible for your specific date before the event.

Substitutions are considered case by case and only when required for allergies or medical dietary restrictions. Because each dish is designed as part of a progression, preference-based substitutions are not offered.

Heat levels vary by chef and theme, but we do not serve overly spicy dishes unless it’s part of a cultural feature. Guests with spice sensitivities can mention this when submitting preferences.

Halal-friendly or pescatarian adjustments may be available depending on the chef and menu. Strict kosher preparation cannot be guaranteed due to shared kitchen environments.

Yes. Each season features a new chef and a new multi-course menu built around their creative direction. No two seasons are alike.

Yes, for members and confirmed guests. Once your seat is secured, you will receive private access to the full menu through your Member Portal, along with space to enter allergies and dietary notes.

Yes — each guest receives one complimentary welcome drink as part of the experience. Additional cocktails, wine, or specialty beverages can be ordered throughout the night using our cashless QR ordering system. All additional drinks are invoiced after the dinner.

Yes. All Black Apron Society events are fully cashless. Guests scan a QR code to order additional drinks or upgrades throughout the night. These charges are tallied and invoiced after the dinner, keeping the experience smooth and uninterrupted.

Any drink orders or add-ons placed through the QR system appear in your digital tab. After the event, you receive a secure invoice where you can complete payment using your preferred method.

We currently accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Cash is not accepted at Society events.

14+ days before the event: eligible for partial credit toward a future Society night.
Under 14 days: credit is offered only if your seat is filled from the waitlist.
No-shows: non-refundable.
Full refunds are only issued if the Society reschedules or cancels the event.

If a dinner is rescheduled due to chef illness, venue issues, or production needs, guests may choose between transferring their seat to the new date or receiving a full refund. If a night is fully cancelled, a full refund is provided.

Seats may only be transferred with approval. Unauthorized transfers, resales, or listings may result in removal from the Society. Approved substitutions are limited and must align with the atmosphere of the event.

Tipping is optional but appreciated. A discreet option is available on your invoice, and tips are pooled for the service and production team.

Doors typically open around 5:30 PM. We recommend arriving within the first 15 minutes so you can enjoy your welcome drink and experience the opening of the night.

You will be seated at the next natural pause in service or performance. To preserve the atmosphere, late seating may be delayed until a transition moment, and some opening segments may be missed.

Yes. Seating is curated by the Society to balance the room, maintain flow, and preserve the experience. Couples and approved groups of up to four are seated together.

Most partner venues are accessible, but details vary. Guests with mobility or accessibility needs can inform us through their Member Portal, and we will confirm accommodations for your selected date.

Yes. All Society events offer a coat check or secure storage to keep the room unobstructed.

Just yourself and your phone for QR ordering. Physical tickets, cash, and printed documents are not required.

Only with prior approval and only if space remains. All guests must align with the Society’s atmosphere. Unauthorized plus-ones will not be admitted.

Yes — all guests must be 19+. If a season includes an exception, such as a special showcase, it will be clearly stated.

Each night is designed as a cinematic, chef-driven experience with considered lighting, curated pacing, intentional service, and live performance woven throughout the dinner. It is elegant, intimate, and high-energy in the right moments.

Yes. We recommend elevated cocktail or evening attire — polished, elegant, and camera-ready without feeling overdone. Think modern, refined, and stylish.

Yes. Phones are part of the experience for ordering: guests use their phones to scan a QR code and place drink or add-on orders throughout the night, which are invoiced after the dinner. Outside of ordering, we ask guests to keep phone use discreet so the atmosphere remains immersive.

Short, subtle captures are welcome, especially during transitions or reveal moments. Please avoid flash, long continuous recordings, blocking staff or performers, and photographing other guests without consent.

Yes. Most nights feature live performance, which may include musicians, vocalists, storytellers, or surprise guest acts, depending on the chef and concept.

Yes. Each night is guided by a host who sets the tone, introduces segments, and carries the flow of the evening so everything feels cohesive and intentional.

Yes. Music is curated and played throughout the night to enhance the atmosphere. The DJ helps build energy between courses without overshadowing the dining experience.

Only during approved segments of the night. Unplanned speeches or interruptions disrupt pacing and are not permitted.

The Society thrives on atmosphere. We ask all guests to be present, respectful, and mindful of pacing so the night flows smoothly. Every guest contributes to the energy in the room.

Short, discreet clips are welcome — especially during transitions or plated reveals. Please avoid flash, long recordings, blocking performers or staff, and capturing other guests without their consent.

Yes, at appropriate moments. Chefs, hosts, and performers may engage with the room after key segments or at the close of the night. Please avoid interrupting service or entering backstage or kitchen areas.

Conversation is encouraged; pitching is not. Guests should not use the event to promote products, services, or collaborations to chefs, performers, or other guests.

Small, thoughtful end-of-night tokens are welcome, but should never interrupt service. Please avoid large, intrusive, or heavily branded items.

Grace, discretion, and presence. That includes speaking at a reasonable volume, respecting the pacing of the dinner, keeping phones on silent, and avoiding disruptive behaviour. The goal is to maintain the intimacy and magic of the night.

Our team will address issues quietly and respectfully. In rare cases, guests may be asked to step outside or leave if their behavior compromises the experience.

Yes — we welcome it. Please tag the Society and the chef. Avoid sharing confidential details, behind-the-scenes content, or anything that clearly identifies other guests without permission.

Yes. Members have access to a Members Lounge, where they can see updates, previews, and seasonal announcements. It is a private space designed to extend the experience between nights.

Show up polished, present, curious, and ready to enjoy the night. The room is only as special as the people inside it.