In brief
- A seated networking dinner brings 6 to 10 people together around a table for the length of a meal.
- In Paris, expect to pay €45 to €80 for the evening at the clubs that publish their prices, access and meal included.
- The difference from an afterwork: you talk to the same people for a long time, instead of meeting lots of people briefly.
- Come with one simple goal and a short introduction, and follow up within 48 hours.
The networking dinner has found its place in Paris alongside afterworks and business breakfasts. The idea: a few strangers, a table, a meal, and time to talk. Here is how an evening unfolds, what it really costs, and how to get something out of it.
Seated dinner or afterwork: what changes
The two formats do not serve the same purpose. An afterwork is for meeting lots of people. A dinner is for getting to know a few.
| Afterwork | Seated dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of people | Often several dozen | 6 to 10 |
| Length of a conversation | A few minutes | The whole evening |
| Position | Standing, glass in hand | Seated, at a table |
| What you remember | Names and business cards | Stories and specific needs |
| Who it suits | People comfortable approaching others | People who prefer conversation |
One point matters for independents: at a table, you do not choose your neighbours. That is a constraint, and it is also what makes for unexpected encounters. A graphic designer may end up next to a consultant who happens to be looking for someone to redo her brand identity.
How a seated networking dinner unfolds
The running order varies between organisers, but the same steps often come up.
- Before: you book or receive an invitation. Some services only reveal the address at the last minute. At Timeleft, it appears in the app 12 hours beforehand.
- Arrival: a host welcomes you. At Linkeat and Dixner, an ambassador from the network sits at the table.
- The round of introductions: everyone introduces themselves in a few sentences. This is the moment that sets the tone.
- The meal: often a set menu, so no time is lost ordering.
- The end: conversations carry on in twos and threes. This is often where the real follow-ups begin.
- Afterwards: people write to each other, recommend each other, meet again. Some apps let you say who you would like to see again.
How much a networking dinner in Paris costs
The price is usually made up of two parts: access to the service, and the meal. Here is what the main players publish, or what the press has reported.
- Linkeat: the service is free according to its website, then €45 to €55 for the set menu negotiated with the restaurant. Tables of 6 to 8.
- Dixner: menu and drinks included in the ticket for its dinner options, according to its website. The press quoted €80 per person in February 2025. Tables of 6 to 10.
- Timeleft: a subscription or a ticket to book, then the meal on site, within a chosen budget band (under €20, €20 to €40, over €40 for a main course and a drink). At the end of 2024, the press reported a subscription from €14.99 a month.
- Tablez Club: a €15 booking online, deducted from the bill; at the restaurant everyone pays for what they had, allow €28 to €38 for the meal in a good bistro. Tables of 8 to 10 (the dinner format).
All in all, at Linkeat, Dixner and Tablez Club, an evening comes to roughly €45 to €80. At Timeleft, it all depends on the subscription and the restaurant. Wine and extras change the bill.
A ticket paid in advance has a practical benefit: it reduces last-minute no-shows. A table planned for eight that ends up with five changes the evening for everyone.
How to prepare
There is no need to rehearse a speech. A few minutes are enough.
- One simple goal. Just one: meet a future partner, test an idea, find a first client in a given sector. It shapes your questions.
- A two-sentence introduction. What you do, and for whom. Keep the rest for when someone asks.
- Three questions ready. “What’s keeping you busy at the moment?” opens more doors than “So what do you do?”.
- An up-to-date profile. Your LinkedIn page or website will be looked at the next day.
- Good timing. Arriving on time matters more here than elsewhere: introductions happen at the start.
If you prefer daytime, lunch is an alternative: shorter, more structured. Tablez Club holds one on Tuesdays at 12:30 pm, for 6 to 8 guests, lasting 60 to 75 minutes (the lunch format).
Mistakes to avoid
- Pitching as soon as you sit down. A table is not a stage. People remember those who listened to them.
- Hogging the conversation. With eight people, everyone gets a turn. If you are talking a lot, ask your quietest neighbour a question.
- Handing your card to everyone. Swap details with the people where there is a genuine follow-up.
- Cancelling the day before. At a small table, an empty seat shows.
- Not following up. A message within 48 hours that recalls what you talked about makes all the difference.
- Judging on a single evening. One table may be less rewarding than another. It is regular attendance that builds a network.
How to choose your dinner
Ask yourself three questions.
- What am I looking for? Friends, peers, clients? Tables of strangers are often about social connection. Professional clubs are about business.
- Who will be at the table? Some services mix all profiles. Others select guests, through matching or by application.
- When am I free? A fixed evening, a proposed date, or lunch: the right format is the one you will stick with over time.
At Tablez Club, each table is put together according to the guests’ goals, after reading their application. Upcoming dates are on upcoming tables.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a networking dinner in Paris cost?
Roughly €45 to €80 at the clubs that publish their prices, meal included. Some services are free and you only pay the restaurant; others include the menu in the ticket; others work on a subscription.
How many people attend a networking dinner?
Usually 6 to 10. Beyond that, the table breaks into small conversations and you lose the point of the seated format.
Should I bring business cards?
They are not essential. An up-to-date LinkedIn profile and a phone number are enough. Better to swap details with two people for a real reason than with the whole table.
Sources
- Linkeat, home page (prices, table size, ambassador): https://www.linkeat.club/
- Dixner, home page (table size, menu and drinks included, ambassador): https://www.dixnerclub.com/
- Made in Marseille, February 2025 (price of a Dixner dinner): https://madeinmarseille.net/bons-plans/175454-apres-paris-et-londres-dixner-debarque-a-marseille-avec-ses-diners-entre-inconnus/
- Timeleft, Paris page (address revealed 12 hours beforehand, table size): https://timeleft.com/fr/paris/
- Timeleft, terms and conditions (budget bands): https://app.timeleft.com/files/legal/terms-and-conditions-fr
- Connexion France, December 2024 (price of the Timeleft subscription): https://connexionfrance.com/news/new-trend-serves-companionship-up-on-a-plate-in-france/682998