THE NEW YEAR LUNCHEON

The New Year Luncheon is the Court’s first luncheon of the year, set at midday in late January in a borrowed room in New York. It runs into the afternoon, and the room is not turned over for a second seating. In 2027 it follows the Founding Dinner.

The Form

A luncheon is not a lesser dinner. It is a different thing, and for a long time it was the more serious of the two.

The point of the middle of the day is that it ends. A dinner runs until people are tired, and tired people say things at eleven they would not say at noon. A luncheon has an afternoon on the other side of it, and everyone at the table knows they will be somewhere else by four. That constraint is what makes the conversation good.

By late January the holidays are over and the year has settled, but it has not yet made its demands. It is a good time for sitting down with people.

The Afternoon

The courses are fixed. Guests arrive at half past twelve and are given one drink standing.

The table sits at one. The courses are fixed and nothing is chosen. What is served is what January gives, cooked plainly and brought in whole.

Wine is poured and left. There are no speeches. The Court gives one toast at the start and it is short.

The table rises when it rises. Nothing is arranged for afterwards, which is the point.

What Is Asked

The code is stated in the invitation and it is not negotiable.

The Court sits at one whether or not everyone is there.

Telephones stay in pockets. A photographer is present for part of the afternoon, and what is worth keeping is sent afterwards.

A member may bring one guest and answers for them. One rather than two: the table is set for fifty, and half of it is meant to be people the other half has not met.

Nobody is pitched at the table.

The Places

Fifty. Members are written to in December, and the luncheon fills before the year turns.

The sum is stated in the invitation and covers the whole of the afternoon.

How one becomes a member is set out under Admission.

Questions

What is the New Year Luncheon?

The New Year Luncheon is the Court’s first luncheon of the year: a luncheon for fifty at midday in late January, in a borrowed room in New York, running into the afternoon. The courses are fixed, there are no speeches, and the Court gives one short toast. In 2027 it follows the Founding Dinner. The 2027 date is to follow.

What does one wear to the New Year Luncheon?

A lounge suit. The code is given in the invitation and is not open to negotiation.

Who may attend the New Year Luncheon?

It is for members of the Court, by the Court’s invitation; members are written to in December. A member may bring one guest, and answers for that guest. How one becomes a member is set out under Admission.