A "supper club" (often called a super club) can mean a traditional sit-down dining destination meant for a whole evening out, a private members' social dining group, or an underground pop-up restaurant hosted in a private home. [1, 2, 3]

Traditional Midwestern Supper Clubs

• The Experience: Originating around the 1920s and 1930s, these are classic, destination-style restaurants—especially popular in the Upper Midwest and Wisconsin—where patrons spend the entire evening from cocktail hour to dinner and late-night drinks. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

• The Food: Usually feature traditional American fare like prime rib, steaks, and fish fries, preceded by a signature relish tray and accompanied by ice cream-based cocktails like grasshoppers. [1, 2, 3]

• According to a consensus on Facebook, users note that traditional supper clubs are unhurried, often family-owned spots located on the outskirts of town with a strong focus on a great social bar atmosphere. [1]

Modern Pop-Up and Underground Supper Clubs

• The Experience: In contemporary culinary culture, a supper club functions as an intimate, ticketed pop-up restaurant or private gathering often hosted in a chef’s home, warehouse, or unique secret venue. [1, 2, 3]

• The Food: Features a curated, fixed multi-course tasting menu built around a specific seasonal theme or global cuisine. [1, 2, 3]

• The Goal: Focuses tightly on communal seating, meeting new people, and sharing lively conversation over unique food. Some exclusive versions even operate as private member organizations like The Supper Club. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Would you like to know more about the history of traditional Wisconsin supper clubs or how to host your own modern pop-up supper club?