While economic stress has turned many modern day home cooks towards old-school frugal recipes, there are other retro dining trends staging a comeback. Those seeking social options beyond drinking and clubbing have rediscovered a vibrant vintage dinner tradition that celebrates food and leisure. The post-pandemic landscape has brought the supper club back to the forefront for younger generations.

Traditionally, supper clubs were more than just restaurants, they were social experiences. The main features of an evening at a formal supper club include a meal consisting of several courses in a set menu, with participants seated together around a table to engage in lively discussion. These establishments emerged in the U.S. in the 1930s and gained popularity for their novelty. The first American supper club was started in Beverly Hills, California, by Milwaukee-born Lawrence Frank. Beverly Hills itself is a symbol of sophistication and luxury, but the supper club is also a staple of more modest Midwestern and classic Southern cultures.