dish night

American  

noun

1. (formerly) a night, usually held weekly, when a movie theater distributed a free dish or piece of chinaware to each patron as an inducement to visit the theater.

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Etymology

Origin of dish night

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Cinemas played their part by keeping prices low, offering double features for just a quarter, and running midweek promotions like “dish night,” when cash-strapped audiences could pick up a free piece of dinnerware, like a bowl, while attending a movie.

From The Wall Street Journal

Decent acting in movies of this sort is, of course, merely an extra added attraction�a sort of dish night for the sobersides.

From Time Magazine Archive

There was also a dish night when they gave away dishes.

From Project Gutenberg