How many people is too many for a group dinner?

Most restaurants handle up to about twelve on a standard booking; beyond that you usually need a set menu or a private area, which needs more lead time.

Should I include weeknights?

Yes. Weeknights are often easier than weekends for local groups, and including them roughly doubles the number of viable dates.

Guide

How to find a date for a group dinner

A dinner for eight should take five minutes to arrange. It usually takes two weeks, because the question gets asked in a chat where four people answer and nobody counts.

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Offer evenings, not dates

For dinners, the useful unit is an evening in the next two or three weeks. Offer six to eight of them — weeknights included — and let people mark what works.

Add two time slots to each evening if your group is split between people who finish work at five and people who finish at seven. It is often the difference between six guests and nine.

Book the restaurant around the answer

Restaurants take large-group bookings on their terms, so check availability for the top two dates before you announce. Collecting availability first means you are asking the restaurant one question rather than negotiating with two moving parts.

Set a short deadline

Forty-eight hours is plenty for a dinner. Anything longer and the poll becomes background noise.

Frequently asked questions

How many people is too many for a group dinner?: Most restaurants handle up to about twelve on a standard booking; beyond that you usually need a set menu or a private area, which needs more lead time.
Should I include weeknights?: Yes. Weeknights are often easier than weekends for local groups, and including them roughly doubles the number of viable dates.

run an event date pollShortlist dates and let guests answer.create a free availability pollStart the poll.

How to schedule an event with friendsFriends are the hardest group to schedule because nothing is compulsory. Here is what reliably gets answers.How to find a date that works for everyoneThe four-step method for turning "when are you all free?" into a booked date, including what to do when there is no perfect day.