Community Guidelines
Last updated: April 27, 2026
Bēkon exists to bring strangers together over a shared meal. Four to seven people, a local restaurant, one Wednesday night — that is all it takes to remember how good it feels to belong somewhere. These guidelines describe what we expect of every person who pulls up a chair, and what we will not tolerate at our tables.
We lead with grace. Real people are imperfect, conversations get clumsy, and connection takes practice. We give each other room for that. We also draw firm lines around behavior that makes others feel unsafe or unwelcome, because connection is impossible without trust.
Who Can Join
You must be 18 or older (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, whichever is higher). Date of birth is verified in the questionnaire and cannot be changed afterward.
- One person, one account. No duplicate or shared profiles.
- Use the name you go by in real life.
- Email is required to keep the community accountable.
How We Treat Each Other
Bēkon dinners work because everyone at the table extends a little generosity to people they have never met before. That means:
- Lead with curiosity. Assume good intent. Ask questions before reaching conclusions.
- Make space at the table. Notice who has not spoken in a while. Pull them in.
- Respect a "no." If someone declines a topic, steers the conversation, or asks to change the subject, let it go without comment.
- Keep what is said at the table at the table. Personal stories shared over dinner are not yours to repeat publicly.
- Disagree well. Differing views are part of a good dinner. Personal attacks are not.
Showing Up to Dinner
A Bēkon table only works if every seat is filled by someone who chose to be there. When you sign up, you are making a commitment to the strangers waiting on you.
- Cancel early if your plans change. Cancellations made before matching are refunded automatically. Once we have built your group and reserved the table, your seat is held for you and is no longer refundable.
- Arrive on time. Plan to be at the restaurant a few minutes before your reservation so the table can sit together.
- Bring at most one friend. Bēkon caps groups at two people who already know each other so the rest of the table is still a room of strangers. Do not bring uninvited guests, plus-ones, children, or pets.
- Pay your own check. Bēkon does not collect or coordinate restaurant payment. Each diner is responsible for their own meal, drinks, and tip.
No-shows are taken seriously. Failing to attend a dinner you signed up for, without canceling, will result in a warning. Repeated no-shows lead to suspension or permanent removal from the community.
Bēkon Is Not a Dating App
Connection comes in many forms, and friendships, professional relationships, and romance can all grow out of a good meal. But the table itself is not a place to pursue someone romantically. Read the room, respect signals, and never make another diner feel cornered or obligated.
If you would like to stay in touch with someone after dinner, ask once, accept the answer, and move on if the answer is no.
Alcohol, Substances, and Safety
- If you choose to drink, do so responsibly. Plan a safe ride home before dinner starts.
- Showing up impaired in a way that disrupts the table or endangers others is grounds for removal.
- Possession, distribution, or use of illegal substances at a Bēkon dinner is not permitted.
Dietary Needs
Bēkon selects restaurants from a regional pool of vetted local spots and does its best to match groups thoughtfully, but we cannot guarantee that any given restaurant accommodates every dietary need or allergy. You are responsible for confirming with your server what is safe for you to eat.
Prohibited Conduct
The following behaviors will result in account suspension or permanent removal from Bēkon, and may be reported to law enforcement where appropriate:
- Harassment and bullying. Insults, intimidation, threats, stalking, or repeated unwanted contact directed at any diner, on or off platform.
- Hate speech. Dehumanizing or attacking people based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic.
- Violence or sexual misconduct. Threats of violence, assault, non-consensual touching, sexual harassment, or any conduct that makes another diner unsafe.
- Sexual content. Explicit messages, images, or requests for sexual services.
- Endangering minors. Bēkon is an adults-only platform. Any content or conduct that sexualizes, grooms, or endangers a minor results in immediate, permanent removal and a report to the appropriate authorities. See our Child Safety Standards for more.
- Impersonation and fake profiles. Misrepresenting who you are, using someone else's identity, or maintaining multiple accounts.
- Commercial misuse. Using the dinner table or your profile to sell products, recruit for jobs or schemes, promote services, or pitch investments.
- Scams and financial exploitation. Fraud, deception, or pressuring fellow diners for money, gifts, or financial information.
- Extremism. Affiliation with or promotion of violent or terrorist organizations.
- Misinformation that causes harm. Knowingly spreading false claims that endanger others' health, safety, or rights.
- Spam and disruption. Bulk messaging, off-topic self-promotion, or behavior intended to derail the dinner experience.
- Photographing or recording other diners without consent. Always ask before taking a photo of someone at your table, and never share their image or details on social media without permission.
Reporting a Concern
If something at a dinner made you feel unsafe, or if a member of the community has violated these guidelines, please tell us. We take every report seriously and review them as quickly as we can.
- Email: contact@bekon.app with what happened, when, and who was involved.
- Urgent safety concerns: If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services first, then tell us when you are safe.
- Child safety concerns: See our Child Safety Standards for dedicated reporting channels, including the NCMEC CyberTipline.
Reports are kept confidential to the extent possible. We will not share the identity of a reporter with the person reported except where required by law.
Enforcement
Depending on the nature and severity of a violation, Bēkon may:
- Issue a warning and require acknowledgement before allowing further sign-ups.
- Suspend the account for a period of time.
- Permanently remove the account, with no opportunity to rejoin.
- Preserve evidence and cooperate with law enforcement when the conduct involves a crime.
Severe violations — violence, sexual misconduct, conduct endangering a minor, hate-motivated harassment — skip the warning step and result in immediate, permanent removal.
Updates to These Guidelines
We may revise these guidelines as the community grows and we learn what helps tables thrive. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continuing to use Bēkon after a revision means you accept the updated guidelines.
Contact
Questions about these guidelines? Reach us at contact@bekon.app.