How to Create Amazing Pop-Up Dinners
-
by
Everyone likes a little variety in life, especially when our days are dominated by the same old routines. Pop-up dinners provide an opportunity for chefs and diners alike to try something new.
You do not need to be a seasoned chef to create a pop-up dinner. Anyone from culinary school graduates to ammeter foodies can do it — and reap the financial benefits that come from a well-executed event.
SimpleTix makes it easy for pop-up dinner organizers to advertise your dinner, sell tickets, and deposit the funds to your bank account.
Pop-Up Dinner 101
Pop-up dinners began as supper clubs in the 1960s — gatherings that brought people into someone’s home for a chef-cooked meal or private events at restaurants. They were all about exclusivity and were considered invitation-only events.
Los Angeles chef Ludo Lefebvre brought this concept out of the VIP realm and into the mainstream in 2007 when he opened LudoBites, a multi-city tour where he took over other restaurants for a few weeks at a time.
The trend caught the National Restaurant Association’s attention in 2015. Pop-up dinners have been on the organization’s annual What’s Hot Culinary Forecast ever since. They are a mainstay in cities like Baltimore and Chicago and spreading to smaller towns like Lincoln, Nebraska.
Pop-up dinners take place in existing restaurants or any other space that can be outfitted to prepare a meal. Some events are one-night only, while others stretch for a few weeks at a time.
Either way, they have a fixed menu and a limited number of guests to promote the exclusive, VIP feeling that the original supper clubs had 50 years ago.
Planning a Pop-Up Dinner
If you are a restaurant owner or budding restaurateur, pop-up dinners are a great way to see whether your idea will work as a full-fledged restaurant.
If you are not a chef, you’ll need to partner with one to make your dinner happen. A chef can make or break a dinner. Choose someone whose food you’ve eaten and like, and who has a good reputation in your community.
Choosing a location and a chef are two of the major decisions in planning a pop-up dinner, but they are not the only ones. Among the other questions you’ll need to address before the food hits the plates:
Pop-Up Dinner Checklist
- Permits and insurance: Opening a restaurant requires more than a dozen permits. You might be able to skip some of them if you are only planning to host one evening.
- Equipment: If you are not cooking in a restaurant, you’ll need to make sure you have all the supplies necessary to prepare and serve your food.
- Menu: Since the menu is fixed, how will you account for allergies and dietary restrictions?
- Staff: Who will serve the food at your event? Do they need any training? If you are planning to serve alcohol, check to see whether you will need a licensed bartender on site.
- Marketing: How will people find out about your pop-up dinner? Social media is a great way to spread the word. Consider partnering with relevant brands or influencers in your area to add a little extra credibility to your event.
Sounds like a lot of work, right? But a pop-up dinner done well can earn you loyal patrons for a new restaurant or make a little money on the side.
Plus, you’ll earn the free publicity that comes from everyone posting about the event on social media. You may even capture the mainstream media’s attention if your concept is novel or unique.
How SimpleTix Can Help
Most pop-up dinners require advance reservations. SimpleTix makes that part of the process as painless as possible so you can focus on making your event a success.
Unlike other ticketing systems, SimpleTix deposits funds directly into your Square account each time someone makes a reservation. This means you have access to the money whenever you need it, rather than waiting until after your event ends.
Using a reservation system like SimpleTix means you can capture dietary restrictions ahead of time and adjust your menu as needed. The information is easy to share with the chef and staff so there’s no confusion at the event.
Finally, the SimpleTix Box Office app allows you to check in attendees from your iPhone/iPad and add last-minute guests. You can use the SimpleTix Box Office app with any Square credit card reader to take credit card payments at the door and create a smooth experience for you guests.
If you are planning a pop-up dinner, email us at support@simpletix.com to learn more about how SimpleTix can make it a success.
Categories
Latest News
Related Articles
How SimpleTix Used Surveys & Auto-Scheduling To Streamline A Property Insurance Event
-
by
[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1480416839073{padding-right: 20px !important;}"][vc_column_text]Pacesetter Claims Service is a trusted property claims service that offers coverage across the U.S. They provide daily insurance claim services, catastrophe services, water damage mitigation, and other insurance adjustment offerings. Pacesetter ultimately provides homeowners and renters with essential insurance services. When Pacesetter chose to launch their 2nd Claims Conference using SimpleTix, we were thrilled to handle the event registration process for them. SimpleTix offered Pacesetter custom features like surveys and auto-scheduling to ensure they would make the most of their property insurance event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="26758"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vcex_spacing][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text] [caption id="attachment_26750" align="alignright" width="288"] Image: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Conference Location)[/caption]By integrating Pacesetter's event registration portal with a survey feature, Pacesetter can ask event attendees important questions. More specifically, Pacesetter can now request the workshop/break-out session schedules of attendees. This helps Pacesetter determine the specific tracks that people plan to attend at their event. It also makes it easier for Pacesetter to interact directly with the insurance industry professionals who attend their conference. Pacesetter's event attendees are also able to automatically schedule classes that are "grouped" together. For example, if a conference attendee chooses a "Part 1 class" to attend, that attendee would automatically be scheduled for the corresponding "Part 2" class as well. This auto-scheduling feature prevents people from signing up from too many "part 1" classes. It also prevents people from skipping the corresponding "part 2" classes when those classes are deemed necessary.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_single_image image="26755" title="Attendee Workshop Selection"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In other words, auto-scheduling makes it easy for conference-goers to receive the full experience of events. Not to mention, it also helps companies like Pacesetter attract many more attendees at their events! And best of all, the custom survey and auto-scheduling features that are available to Pacesetter are also available to companies and individuals across the U.S, Canada, Australia, U.K, New Zealand and elsewhere. SimpleTix is used all around the world, and is...
Religious Organizations
-
by
Overview Religious organizations have unique event needs—from weekly services and fundraisers to High Holy Day events. SimpleTix offers a comprehensive, affordable event ticketing system that simplifies registration, integrates online donation options, and enhances communication with your congregation. This lets you focus on your mission while managing events efficiently. Onboarding Process Create Your Account & Connect Your Payment Processor: Sign up for SimpleTix and integrate with Square, Stripe, or Authorize.net. Create Your Event: Enter event details, select ticket types (General Admission, Member, Guest), and add donation options. Customize Your Event Page: Reflect your organization’s branding and mission using logos, images, and compelling narratives. Integrate Communication Tools: Connect Mailchimp to automate email updates and engage your congregation. Download the Organizer App: Use the Organizer app for efficient on-site check-in and sales. Run a Test Event: Validate the complete process before going live. FAQs Can free events be managed? Yes, free events incur only a nominal fee. How do I handle reserved seating for High Holy Days? Use the seating chart designer for accurate seat assignments. How are donations processed? Donations are integrated directly into the ticketing flow. What if an attendee forgets their ticket? Check in attendees manually using the Organizer app.
Comedy Clubs
-
by
Overview Comedy clubs thrive on energy and engagement. SimpleTix provides a ticketing solution that supports both general admission and reserved seating, along with mobile check-in and seamless integration with Square for secure payments. Our system helps you maximize ticket sales and create a hassle-free experience for your audience. Onboarding Process Create Your Account & Connect Square: Sign up for SimpleTix and integrate your Square account. Launch Your Event: Enter show details, choose ticket types (General Admission, Reserved, VIP), and set pricing. Customize Your Event Page: Add your club’s logo, images, performer bios, and special offers. Set Up Promo Codes & Upsells: Create exclusive promo codes and add upsell items like drink packages through Square. Enable Mobile Check-In: Download the Organizer app for efficient on-site ticket scanning. Promote Your Show: Utilize social sharing, QR codes, and email campaigns to drive ticket sales. Run a Test Event: Confirm that the entire process works seamlessly before going live. FAQs Can I offer both reserved and GA tickets? Yes, simply create separate ticket types. How are on-site sales processed? Through the Organizer app with a Square card reader. How do I set up promo codes? Use our platform to create unique codes for discounts. What is the refund process? Refunds are processed directly via SimpleTix.