I see how that isn't a pocket money amount of cash. However, that's still a price I would be willing to pay to have a single shot try at the event. I might actually try it this month.

Huh?

Maybe it's different on other cities. On mine each seat was $50 (plus tax and stuff). And then you also have to pay for your food, obv. And you don't even get to pick the place.

I would definitely pay that (and much more) if I knew I was going to get an honest lifelong friend out of it. But it's a very shallow experience, you come in as strangers and you leave as such, not really worth spending any money.

What I wish would become widespread is this concept of a "shared table" at restaurants where people are expected to sit down to dine together and talk to each other.