If you’ve ever wanted to combine your love of food, people, and conversation into something magical, starting a supper club might be exactly what you’re looking for. Supper clubs are part dinner party, part secret restaurant, part community project—and 100% satisfying when done right.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just someone who loves bringing people together, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to launch your own supper club, from concept to execution and beyond.
What Is a Supper Club?
A supper club is a gathering where people come together to eat, talk, and often enjoy a themed or curated meal. Think of it as an intentional dinner party, but more organized and usually recurring. Some charge money, some are invitation-only, and some run like low-key underground restaurants.
There are different formats, but most share three things:
- A communal meal.
- A theme or concept.
- A group of people (friends or strangers) willing to try something different.
Unlike restaurants, these are more personal, cozy, and story-driven. The host is often the cook. The venue is often a home. The rules? You make them.
Why Start a Supper Club?
Starting a supper club can be one of the most rewarding side projects or hobbies you’ll ever take on. Here’s why people do it:
- To build community in an increasingly disconnected world.
- To explore culinary creativity in a way that restaurants don’t allow.
- To meet interesting people from different walks of life.
- To earn extra money or gain experience if you’re planning to get into the food industry.
If you’re into food, friendships, or fascinating conversation, this might be the exact type of project you didn’t know you needed.
Step 1: Choose a Concept That Means Something to You
Your supper club needs a theme or identity. You don’t have to overthink this, but you do need to give people a reason to say “yes” to your invite.
Here are some theme ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Regional Cuisine | Focus on dishes from a specific country or region—like Southern USA, Sicily, or Punjab. |
| Seasonal Eating | Every dinner is built around what’s freshest right now. |
| Literary Supper Club | Each meal is inspired by a book (fiction or nonfiction). |
| Around the World in 8 Dinners | Rotate cuisines each month with a global focus. |
| Local Farmers Feature | Meals made entirely with ingredients from nearby farms or markets. |
| Silent Supper | A full meal eaten in contemplative silence. It’s intense, weird, and unforgettable. |
| Singles Only | Not a dating event, but a chance to connect people flying solo. |
The point is: what’s the story behind your club? People will come for the food, but they stay for the meaning.
Step 2: Decide on Format and Frequency
Before you start inviting anyone, lock down the logistics.
A. How Often Will You Host?
- Monthly: Easy to manage and builds anticipation.
- Bi-monthly: Ideal for seasonal menus or more complex meals.
- Quarterly: Better for larger or more exclusive events.
B. How Many Guests?
Start small. 6–10 people is the sweet spot for most home-based dinners. Once you get the hang of things, you can grow to 12–20 if space allows.
C. Where Will You Host?
- Your home kitchen or dining room? Cozy, personal, but limited.
- A shared community kitchen? Great for bigger groups.
- Rotating hosts? Perfect for collaborative clubs.
- Pop-ups in other people’s homes? You cook, they host. This can work well in urban areas.
Make sure your venue can:
- Seat everyone comfortably.
- Allow for cooking or reheating.
- Support any special dietary needs or restrictions.
Step 3: Plan a Memorable First Menu
Your first menu sets the tone for everything. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it must be thoughtful.
Pro tips for planning your first supper club meal:
- Choose 3–4 courses max (starter, main, side, dessert).
- Focus on dishes you can prep ahead to minimize stress.
- Try to incorporate a story into each dish—why did you choose it?
- Have at least one vegetarian option.
- Avoid anything that’s highly perishable or time-sensitive unless you’re confident.
Example menu for a Mediterranean Night:
| Course | Dish |
|---|---|
| Starter | Grilled halloumi with pomegranate molasses |
| Main | Lamb kofta with tzatziki & flatbread |
| Side | Bulgur wheat salad with herbs |
| Dessert | Pistachio and orange blossom cake |
Bonus tip: Create little menu cards for guests—they love them.
Step 4: Invite the Right People
You don’t need a massive guest list to get started. In fact, a tight, well-matched group makes for a better dinner.
Here’s who to invite:
- Friends who love food and conversation.
- Acquaintances you’d like to get to know better.
- Neighbors who’ve expressed curiosity.
- Colleagues you’d hang out with outside of work.
And yes—you can invite strangers. Just screen them somehow. Use social media, Eventbrite, or a waitlist system.
Should You Charge?
Short answer: yes, if you’re spending a lot and it’s not a potluck.
Longer answer: Keep it transparent. You’re not running a business (yet), but you also shouldn’t foot the bill for 10 people every month.
You can:
- Charge a flat fee to cover costs.
- Ask for donations.
- Use platforms like Eatwith that let you run ticketed experiences.
Just remember: don’t make a profit unless you’re legally licensed to. In most countries, health and safety laws prohibit commercial cooking from a home without certification.
Step 5: Make the Night Special
Here’s what separates a supper club from a dinner party: intentionality.
Here’s a list of things to do to create the vibe:
- Welcome guests with a drink and introduce everyone.
- Have music that fits your theme playing in the background.
- Use candlelight or fairy lights for mood.
- Set a pretty table—a runner, napkins, maybe a flower or two.
- Share a short story about the menu before serving.
- Encourage guests to switch seats between courses (if that works for your setup).
- Keep the energy focused on connection, not performance.
This isn’t a restaurant. People don’t want perfection—they want presence.
Step 6: Get Feedback, Then Repeat
Ask for honest feedback—verbally or via a quick Google Form. Find out:
- What did people love?
- What could be better?
- Would they come again?
Then iterate. Every dinner teaches you something. That’s the beauty of it. It grows, it evolves.
Don’t forget to take photos. Not just of the food, but the people. These moments will help you build a story and maybe even a following over time.
Step 7: Scale (Only If You Want To)
Once you get a few dinners under your belt, you might start wondering: “Could I turn this into something bigger?”
You could. Many successful chefs and food entrepreneurs started exactly this way. Some supper clubs evolve into:
- Pop-up restaurants.
- Cookbook projects.
- Food blogs or YouTube channels.
- Catering businesses.
- Local food movements.
But you don’t have to scale. The magic of a supper club is in its intimacy.
That said, if you’re thinking about monetizing or turning it into a side hustle, platforms like Fiverr can help you find:
- Logo designers
- Copywriters for menus and invites
- Web developers for your supper club site
Legal and Health Considerations
Before you charge money or open your doors to the public, make sure you understand your local regulations.
You may need:
- A food hygiene certificate.
- A liability waiver.
- A business license if you go commercial.
In some areas, home-cooked food laws are getting more relaxed. For instance, some U.S. states now have “Cottage Food Laws” allowing limited food sales from home under specific conditions.
Check your local government site to be sure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s what trips up most new supper club hosts:
- Overcomplicating the menu. Keep it simple.
- Inviting too many people too soon. Start small.
- Ignoring dietary needs. Ask ahead of time.
- Trying to be a restaurant. You’re not. That’s the charm.
- Failing to follow up. Stay connected with your guests.
- Burning yourself out. Make sure it’s fun for you too.
How Supper Clubs Impact Communities
This isn’t just about food. It’s about social glue. A supper club can:
- Help fight loneliness.
- Bridge cultural divides.
- Introduce people to new ideas and flavors.
- Encourage slow, meaningful connection in a world of scrolling and swiping.
In fact, a study published on PubMed showed that shared meals—especially those with structure and ritual—help create stronger emotional bonds and boost mental well-being.
Hosting one might feel like a small gesture, but it can have a big ripple effect.
Final Thoughts
Starting a supper club is a bold, human act in a world that’s often too busy to sit and share a meal. Whether you do it once, or a hundred times, you’ll learn more than you expect—about food, people, and yourself.
So light the candles, pour the wine, and open your door. You’re not just cooking dinner—you’re creating belonging.
