One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Dîner en Blanc returns to Los Angeles. Was it worth the 7-year wait?
Dîner en Blanc had the backdrop of Beverly Hills City Hall this year.
(
Julia Paskin
/
LAist
)
Dîner en Blanc — the DIY, fine, alfresco meal held in secret locations — has returned to L.A.
The event had been on hiatus here for seven years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and struggles to find a new volunteer host.
But on Aug. 1, around 1,500 people dined and danced right on the street in front of the Beverly Hills City Hall. Past locations include the Santa Monica Pier and the plaza at the Music Center in downtown L.A. The mostly volunteer organization says it's looking to come back in March 2027 with double the attendance.
I heard about Dîner en Blanc about 10 years ago and always wondered if it was worth the hype, a question I’m asking myself more frequently as many pop-ups are more geared towards cool photo-ops as opposed to a good experience.
The event is held in cities around the world, but started in France and is rooted in both celebrating French culture and the tradition of gathering to break bread together —- a concept I can get behind.
Attending requires some planning and legwork, including online registration, a membership fee, a nice picnic, carrying a table and chairs, not knowing where you are going because the location is kept secret until the last minute, and working with a group of strangers to find the spot and set up everything.
Everything you wear and put on your table has to be white. Not eggshell. Not cream. Not even off-white. Paper and plastic are discouraged.
Sponsored message
Guests are encouraged to get extra fancy with their table decor and outfits, and awards are given out for both. Those who go all out wear full costumes with wigs, masks and hats, and some tables are decorated with shining glass and twinkling lights.
Then there’s the cost
Creative table settings are encouraged, and judges choose one for a prize.
(
Julia Paskin
/
LAist
)
Entry is $65 per ticket, plus a $14 membership fee. Tickets are sold in pairs.
It's $15 for table and chairs rental (optional instead of bring your own). This is worth it if you don’t already own white folding chairs. Plus you don’t have to transport anything.
A multi-course meal for two is prepared by Todd English, a celebrity chef. That costs up to $125 — or you can bring your own. The prepared meal is a good option with enough food for two people (if that’s in your price range), but I enjoy putting a picnic together, so I would personally opt to do that part myself in the future.
For beverages:
- Water: 18.5 ounces, optional instead of BYO, $4, or $32 for a box of 12.
- Wine: There's no BYOB. Packages including Chambord and chocolates, from $25 to $68.
And none of that includes parking, gas or rideshare costs.
Sponsored message
So was it worth it?
To quote first-time attendee Lilli Burrows: “I don’t need more stuff, I need experiences. I need to have fun things to do and create wonderful memories.”
Guests await the ceremonial napkin wave to start the meal after setting up Dîner en Blanc in Beverly Hills recently.
(
Julia Paskin
/
LAist
)
Hector Gama also attended for the first time and was already planning for next year.
“We kind of downplayed it this time, but I’m sure next time there’s going to be a lot more stuff,” he said.
Alexa Kushner, 26, was invited by friends. “It feels like a really socially unique experience, and it's bonding the community of Los Angeles in a really fun way,” he told me.
Pro tips from guests
- Don’t worry about getting your outfit, meal or table set up perfectly. Be as extravagant as you want, but there are no fashion police or even any judgey vibes.
- Wear comfortable shoes since you have to carry your items or at least walk to your table.
- Bring a stain remover. Sharing a Tide Pen will make you very popular.
As for me?
- I would pay the extra 15 bucks to not have to bring my own table and chairs.
- I would not pay more than $100 on the pre-made meal when I can bring a cheaper picnic that's more to my taste.
- Would I recommend it? Its a festive event with food, music and sparklers which could make for a fun holiday-like tradition with a group of friends, or if you just want to meet new people in a friendly atmosphere. If that's not your cup of tea, there's plenty of great picnic spots in L.A. that are free.
Get notifications for next year’s Dîner en Blanc here.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
