One of the features common to Christ groups and Greco-Roman associations is the practice of common meals. This paper discusses the meals of associations under the headings: (a) participation in meals — who attended? who hosted? and who funded the meal?; (b) how was participation monitored?; (c) the structure of the meal; (d) performative aspects of the meal — what was eaten? where did it occur? who knew?; (e) social and political functions of dining: imitation of the civic meal.