Dinner as the Destination

Mood lighting. Velvety textured wall coverings. Heavy drapery. Waiters with crisp white shirts and pressed trousers. Smoke hanging in the air. Iconic music in the background like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis. A delicious prime rib steak done to perfection sitting on the plate in front of you. The feeling like you’ve known everyone here forever. Easy conversation, lots of laughter, and friendships. You’re at…the Supper Club. Or at least my imaginary initial version of one.

My mother periodically talks about going to the supper club with her friends. This concept has been lost on me for years. Why would anyone dine at a dusty, dingy, outdated, old-person-only restaurant anymore? The vision I had when she talked about her evenings out was of a stale smoke-smelling restaurant, VFW-style with carpeted walls like the 1970s, and tables as far as the eye can see with blue-haired patrons. What I didn’t realize until recently is that the supper club is making a revival. To understand the allure I did a little research.

I visited several websites only to discover that the supper club is a very midwestern thing. More specifically, the supper club was birthed in Wisconsin, or at least by a Wisconsinite, but all of the sites harken their roots to the state of Wisconsin. Supper clubs were more than just a restaurant, they were an experience. When prohibition was a thing, speakeasies popped up as underground bars and restaurants where patrons could still gather and enjoy a nightcap. After prohibition was reversed, many of these same establishments became supper clubs. Initially, they were private social clubs where members could gather for dinner, drinks, and conversation, but they quickly became available to the general public so anyone who wanted could experience their unique charm.¹

I also didn’t realize there’s intentionality behind the decor and menu of these restaurants. They’re designed with warm, cozy lighting, dark furniture, rustic elements, and vintage photos so guests feel a sense of familiarity and comfort; like they have been coming as long as they can remember, and could stay as long as they liked. People can find community here and the waitstaff remember the names of guests for years to come. The menu is also designed to set them apart from traditional restaurants. Meals are multi-course, intended to slow the guest down for a dining experience. Steak, seafood, and cocktails are classic items at a supper club, and unique locally-sourced or focused menu items are also a staple so each club has the “flavor” of the town it’s in.

Because of the time it takes to complete a meal at a supper club, guests tend to mingle across the aisles. This is actually part of the reason people return to these clubs. It’s a social activity. New guests find themselves drawn to the ambience and friendliness. Returning guests consider it the go-to spot to celebrate the milestones of their lives like anniversaries and birthdays, making it a tradition to be among their community to share their memories.

Those of us who are old enough to remember the restaurants of yore, going out to dinner was a special treat, and one that took all night. Dinner WAS the thing to do – it was the destination, not a stop on the way to what was next. Dates morphed into dinner and a movie which was the staple in the 1980s. 2020 killed any social skills people had, and now we’re placing orders via an app and either picking it up or having it dropped off at the speed of light without interacting with another human being. Personally, I think it’s time to relearn how to look people in the eye while sitting across a table and having a conversation. Care to join me?

Have you visited a supper club lately? What did you like about it? Share it here or
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1.Hotel Seymore Supper Club. Club Ambiance: More Than Just a Meal. 2025. https://hotelseymour.com/2025/05/the-supper-club-ambiance-more-than-just-a-meal/