The Pull Up Dinner: A New Kind of Networking Event for Founders and Creatives

Networking events often promise dozens, or even hundreds of new connections. But the reality is that most conversations last only a few minutes before everyone moves on.

At Pier Five, we wanted to create something different.

That's why we launched the Pull Up Dinner: an intimate networking dinner in Toronto designed to bring together founders, creatives, business owners and community builders around one table for meaningful conversations that don't happen at traditional networking events.

On July 2, we hosted the first-ever Pull Up Dinner at TONO by Akira Back inside Toronto's W Hotel, bringing together a carefully curated group of entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries for an evening focused on community, conversation and connection.

Why We Started Pull Up Dinner

We've spent years building communities online through interviews, events and storytelling, but we've also learned that some of the most valuable relationships aren't built through social media, they're built over dinner.

The Pull Up Dinner was created to slow networking down. Rather than trying to meet 50 people in one evening, our goal is to create a space where 12 people can genuinely get to know one another.

No pitches. No panels. No name tags. Just thoughtful conversations over great food.

A Curated Group of Toronto Founders, Creatives and Business Owners

One of the principles behind Pull Up Dinner is diversity. Instead of inviting people from the same industry, we intentionally curate a table of people who bring different experiences and perspectives.

Around the table were an art gallery owner, a gym owner, a creative agency founder, an art curator, an entertainment producer, an ice cream shop owner, a fashion brand founder, a CPG entrepreneur, a video producer, a community strategist, media founders and content creators. On paper, it's an unlikely mix. In practice, it created exactly the kind of conversations we were hoping for.

Many of the guests had never met before. By the end of the evening, new friendships, collaborations and introductions were already beginning to take shape.

The Non-Negotiable: Mandatory +1

Every invitation to the Pull Up Dinner includes one requirement: Bring someone who belongs at the table.

Not just a guest—but someone who brings curiosity, generosity and a different perspective.

That simple rule expands the network with every dinner and ensures each gathering introduces new people into the Pier Five community.

Great Food Creates Better Conversations

The inaugural dinner took guests through TONO by Akira Back's signature seafood-fusion menu, where guests shared a family-style experience designed to encourage conversation throughout the evening.

The experience was complemented by wines from Great Estates Wines, creating a relaxed atmosphere that allowed conversations to unfold naturally over the course of the night.

Building Toronto's Founder Community—One Dinner at a Time

Toronto has no shortage of networking events. What it needs more of are opportunities for people to genuinely connect.

Pull Up Dinner isn't about collecting LinkedIn connections or exchanging business cards. It's about creating the kind of conversations that lead to friendships, collaborations, partnerships and ideas that continue long after dinner ends.

For us, community has never been about audience size. It's about bringing the right people together.

Join a Future Pull Up Dinner

We're already planning the next Pull Up Dinner in Toronto, with another carefully curated group of founders, creatives and operators gathering around one table.

If you're interested in attending a future dinner, hosting one with us, or partnering with the series, we'd love to hear from you.