Midnight Supper
During New York’s Gilded Age, socialite Caroline Astor created one of the most elite circles you can imagine. It began as an after-party in 1898 when Astor invited hundreds of guests back to her home following a show at the Metropolitan Opera House. She handpicked 400 of her closest friends to gather for a Midnight Supper — dubbed this because they began at midnight. These lucky guests became known as the “Astor 400.” The elaborate Midnight Suppers included 10-course dinners with ballroom dancing.
So exclusive, the dinner parties inspired Astor’s son, John Jacob Astor IV, to create a private and exclusive hotel. And in 1904, The St. Regis New York opened its doors, eventually becoming home to the Midnight Suppers, which were now the epitome of high society.
Caroline Astor’s traditions, such as afternoon tea and the Midnight Suppers, have lived on through the St. Regis brand. In the past, St. Regis hotels around the world have held their own versions of the Midnight Supper, including one at The St. Regis Atlanta in October 2013, where the attendees were nicknamed “Atlanta’s 400.”
Now, St. Regis, GRAFF Diamonds, Oscar de la Renta and Forbes Travel Guide have partnered to revive the past with a series of exclusive events at five St. Regis properties across the United States. To learn more about the events, click here.
Photo Courtesy of World Red Eye
