SoDo Progressive Dinner

The Downtown Hartford Progressive Dinner, Sponsored by the SoDo NRZ, was an annual February event that for nine years brought members of SoDo and residents of Charter Oak and Downtown Hartford together to celebrate urban living, the walkability of our city, and neighborly camaraderie over good food and wine. The 2020 Dinner took place Saturday, February 29 (Leap Year!) and was one of our largest, with over 80 participants. 

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we did not host a Progressive Dinner in Winter 2021 or 2022. In January 2023, we surveyed our past Hosts, Attendees, and members of the SoDo, Downtown, and Charter Oak neighborhoods to see if they were ready to gather again in each others' homes. The response was "yes, but...", with caveats related mostly to Covid still being an issue (vaccination status, proof of negative testing, etc.).

The SoDo Social Committee hopes to bring this event back -- perhaps in a new or modified format -- in late 2024 or early 2025. Stay tuned!

Check out photos of the 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015 (more), and 2014 events.

FAQs:

How does the SoDo Progressive Dinner work?

Neighbors in the South Downtown, Charter Oak, and Downtown neighborhoods sign up to host dinner for 6-10 (including themselves) at their private homes on a set date.

Other neighbors in the same three neighborhoods would purchase tickets to attend the event.

On the scheduled evening, all participants gather for wine, beer, and hors d'oeuvres at a predetermined neighborhood location, meet and mingle with their fellow Downtown neighbors, and find out where they are having dinner.

After the initial social hour, everyone walks to their assigned hosts' homes, where they dine in a group of 6-10. Afterward, everyone walks to another predetermined neighborhood location to reconnect with the group for dessert and coffee. By design, the event is completely walkable!

What if I am a vegetarian or allergic to pets?

On the Attendee Order Form there is space to indicate dietary restrictions such as vegan, celiac, etc., and allergies, including pet allergies. When the Hosts volunteer to cook, they indicate if they have pets and if they are willing to plan a meal that can accommodate certain diet needs. The SoDo Social Committee assigns the Attendees to Host homes based on these needs while striving to create sociable dinner groupings.

Who can participate?

Due to the nature of the event as a neighborhood community builder and the limited number of seats available, Attendee priority is given to SoDo Members and Downtown Hartford and Charter Oak residents.

How do I know if I am a SoDo "Member"?

If you own property, own a business, are a residential tenant or represent a social service within the SoDo NRZ boundaries, you are automatically a Member of SoDo. More info here.

Are tickets available at the door?

Tickets are pre-purchase only, no tickets at the door. Event capacity is dictated by the number of seats available, which in turn is dictated by how many guests each dinner host can accommodate. Many years have been sold out with a waiting list.

What are the funds used for?

A portion of the proceeds covers overhead event costs (payment processing fees, beverages, hors d'oeuvres, dessert). The majority is used to fund neighborhood programs, projects, and enhancements supported throughout the year by the SoDo NRZ.

Want to Sponsor the next Progressive Dinner or other SoDo event?

Drop us a line.

Photo from the Dessert hour at Peppercorn's at the 2011 Progressive Dinner