Supper club

A supper club is an American dining establishment generally found in the Upper Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. These establishments typically are located on the edge of town in rural areas [ [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/archstories/restaurants/supper_clubs.asp "Supper Clubs: Buildings with Taste", "Wisconsin State Historical Society"] ] . They were traditionally thought of as a "destination" where patrons would go to spend the whole evening, from cocktail hour to enjoying night club style entertainment after dinner [ [http://www2.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/dining/best/supperclubs.asp?format=print Dennis Getto, "Supper clubs that are a cut above prime time", "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"] ] . They feature a casual and relaxed atmosphere [ [http://www2.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/dining/best/supperclubs.asp?format=print Dennis Getto, "Supper clubs that are a cut above prime time", "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"] ] .

Typical Menu

Supper clubs generally feature "simple" menus with somewhat limited offerings featuring "American" cuisine [ [http://www2.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/dining/best/supperclubs.asp?format=print Dennis Getto, "Supper clubs that are a cut above prime time", "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"] ] . Menus included dishes such as prime rib, steaks, chicken, and fish. An "all you can eat" fish fry was particularly common at supper clubs in Wisconsin [ [http://www.travelwisconsin.com/Article_Detail.aspx?ArticleID=172&menuid=67 "Savoring the Past: Supper Clubs"] ] .

Relish trays featuring items such as crackers, carrots, pickles, radishes, and celery are typically served at the table on Lazy Susans [ [http://www2.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/dining/best/supperclubs.asp?format=print Dennis Getto, "Supper clubs that are a cut above prime time", "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"] ] .

History

The first supper club in the United States was established in Beverly Hills, CA by Milwaukee, WI native Lawrence Frank [ [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/archstories/restaurants/supper_clubs.asp "Supper Clubs: Buildings with Taste", "Wisconsin State Historical Society"] ] . They became popular during the 1930s and 1940s, although some establishments that later became "supper clubs" had previously gained notoriety as prohibition roadhouses [ [http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-dest_wis_supper_clubs_pmaug26,0,4660488.story Brenda K. Bredahl, "The state of the supper club scene", "Chicago Tribune", August 26, 2007.] ] .

Supper clubs can still be found in the Upper Midwest but they are now simply restaurants rather than the all-night entertainment destinations [ [http://www.travelwisconsin.com/Article_Detail.aspx?ArticleID=172&menuid=67 "Savoring the Past: Supper Clubs"] ] of the past.

A Brief List of Supper Clubs in the United States

* [http://www.ocean-prime.com Ocean Prime] in Detroit, MI (Troy area); Miami, Orlando, Tampa, & Scottsdale by the end of 2008
* [http://www.goahollywood.com Goa] in Hollywood, CA
* Club 26 (on Highway 26 between Fort Atkinson and Milton, Wisconsin)
* Beverly Hills Supper Club – located in Kentucky, 165 died in a fire in the club in 1977
* Aqua 1066 in Vancouver, British Columbia (Burrard and West Hastings)
* [http://www.plantationsupperclub.com/home.htm The Plantation] Supper Club in Minocqua, WI
* [http://www.modusbarlounge.com Modus] Supper Club in San Diego, CA
* [http://www.poshdc.com POSH] Restaurant & Supper Club in Washington, DC
* Red Top Supper Club in Hazel Green, WI
* Bootleggers Supper Club in Tomahawk, WI
* Reza's Lakeview Supper Club in Friendship, WI
* [http://www.donssupperclub.com Don's Supper Club] in New London, WI
* Lake Aire Supper Club in Wisconsin Rapids, WI
* [http://www.littlebohemialodge.com Little Bohemia Supper Club] in Manitowish Waters, WI
* Sunset Supper Club in Taycheedah, WI (near Fond du Lac, WI)
* [http://www.thephx.com The Phoenix] in Cincinnati, OH
* Club Chaparral outside Wonewoc, WI
* [http://www.cedrelsupperclub.com/ Ced-Rel] in Cedar Rapids, IA
* Silver Birch Supper Club, Tomahawk WI
* [http://www.norwoodpines.com Norwood Pines Supper Club] in Minocqua, WI
* Whitetail Inn in St. Germain, WI
* [http://thewhiskandladle.com/ The Whisk&Ladle Supperclub] in Brooklyn, NY
* Lehman's Supperclub, Rice Lake WI

upper Clubs in the United Kingdom

Supper Clubs in the UK takes the Cabaret concept of the American 1930s and 40s and aimed to bring the ambience of the underground New York jazz club to the UK entertainment scene, where people could enjoy a dinner without the formality of a ball, whilst enjoying live music. These clubs were often the centre of social networks in both rural communities and bustling urban environments. Traditional Supper Club menus consisted of standard American fare, and in the UK there was a concerted drive to give the food and wine a British twist.

Some Supper Clubs were purely informal dining societies whilst others incorporated musical acts to complement the atmosphere. There was also a form of Supper Club which acted as an informal dating platform. Both have largely been replaced by modern nightclubs.

External links

* [http://www.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/dining/best/supperclubs.asp?format=print Description of a typical Wisconsin Supper Club and Selected Clubs in Wisconsin]
* [http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/archstories/restaurants/supper_clubs.asp Wisconsin History Explorer: Supper Clubs]
* [http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=/wsj/1999/06/27/9906290295.php Supper Club Is One Of The Things That Make Wisconsin What It Is]
* [http://www.supperclubpresents.co.uk Supper Clubs in London, UK taking the American concept with a British twist]

References

*Supper Club Is One Of The Things That Make Wisconsin What It Is. (June 27, 1999). Wisconsin State Journal.