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You may need to change your definition. minibar only seats six (unless there has been a change). I would characterize Vapiano as cafeteria-style/seat-yourself.

Does "Unrelated parties are the key here - if it's just a banquet table and is only used for large parties/bookings, it doesn't count" exclude restaurants serving dim sum?

Right you are on both counts... I left Minibar in because it's really popular, even though it doesn't really qualify according to my definition Vapiano's I left on the list because it's a new chain and I'm wondering how the concept is doing in translating a very European idea. Their US HQ is in McLean... been meaning to contact them.

New additions:

Dino in Cleveland Park

ZenTan at the Thompson Hotel on Scott Circle

Pho75..... yum... thanks for that reminder, Don!

Thanks, all. I love a juicy disagreement - keep talking! I'm still in the research phase, and have compiled a list of DC area restuarants with communal tables (seats a minimum of eight guests from two or more unrelated parties). I am most interested in how people react to being seated with strangers - do they make friends, stay longer and buy another round, or do they leave faster and spend less? I am looking only at table-service restaurants, no take-out or cafeteria-style/seat-yourself places.

This is my attempt to list all the communal tables at full-service restuarants in DC. My definition of "communal table" is one which seats a minimum of eight guests from two or more unrelated parties. Unrelated parties are the key here - if it's just a banquet table and is only used for large parties/bookings, it doesn't count.

Am I missing any?

1905

Black's Bar & Kitchen

Blue Duck Tavern

Bucks Fishing & Camping

Cava

Circa

Circle Bistro

Comet Ping Pong

CommonWealth

Food Matters

Founding Farmers

Good Stuff Eatery

Granville Moore's

Heights, The

Hook

Jaleo

Japan Inn

Kemble Park Tavern

La Strada

Le Pain Quotidien - Bethesda, Georgetown, CapHill, and more

Lebanese Taverna - Bethesda, Tyson's, Baltimore

Liberty Tavern

Logan Tavern

Marriott Renaissance M St

Masa 14

Minibar

Posto

Public

Sette Bello

Sonoma

Sou'Wester

Sova

Taylor Gourmet II

Urbana @ Hotel Palomar

Vapiano - Ballston

Vapiano - Chinatown

Vapiano - Dupont

Zaytinya

Zengo

i am open to responses from the general public, too, so comment away, even if you are not a restaurant owner! people seem to feel very strongly about communal tables, and i find that so interesting...

hey if you're still looking, just try some place like Pottery Barn online, or if you have trouble finding the longer size, maybe Smith + Noble? they do semi-custom for pretty cheap. Probably the cheapest best bet is to call a theater set designer, or a theatrical supply house like RoseBrand. they are the best, biggest, and ship overnight. all the fabrics come in long lengths, extra wide, and they'll add grommets and whatnot in a jiffy. if I had a sewing machine and a couple of hours, I'd do it for you.

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Hi Pete, Not sure if you're still working on this, but I am an interior designer doing my thesis research on communal tables, and whether they have any hope of working in DC. Would love to read the results of your research, beyond what everyone has posted here. Drop me a line or post back here.

Thanks+

Hi, I am a food lover and interior designer, working on my thesis on communal tables. They are such a hot/trendy item, I'm wondering: what factors motivate restaurant owners and designers to include communal tables in their spaces? Some reasons I've heard are the following. Please add/comment!

1. creates warm/casual feeling

2. develops a sense of community (how do you/your staff foster that?)

3. looks good/my interior designer recommended it

4. fit more people in same space as separate tables (really?)

5. higher revenue from large parties

6. however, I have also heard reports of lower revenue due to 'camping out' - what's your experience?

7. everyone else is doing it/customers seem to like them/suggest them

I'm interested in communal tables in DC that really seem to work - socially or financially - and WHY.

Thanks+