Supper club

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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 [1]. 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 [2]. They feature a casual and relaxed atmosphere [3].

Contents

[edit] Typical Menu

Supper clubs generally feature "simple" menus with somewhat limited offerings featuring "American" cuisine [4]. 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 [5].

Relish trays featuring items such as crackers, carrots, pickles, radishes, and celery are typically served at the table on "Lazy Susans" [6].

[edit] History

The first supper club in the United States was established in Beverly Hills, CA by Milwaukee, WI native Lawrence Frank [7]. They became popular during the 1930s and 1940s, although some establishments that later became "supper clubs" had previously gained noteriety as prohibition roadhouses [8].

Supper clubs can still be found in the Upper Midwest but they are now simply restaurants rather than the all-night entertainment destinations [9] of the past.

[edit] A Brief List of Supper Clubs in the United States

[edit] Supper 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 Both have largely been replaced by modern nightclubs.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Supper Clubs: Buildings with Taste", Wisconsin State Historical Society
  2. ^ Dennis Getto, "Supper clubs that are a cut above prime time", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  3. ^ Dennis Getto, "Supper clubs that are a cut above prime time", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  4. ^ Dennis Getto, "Supper clubs that are a cut above prime time", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  5. ^ "Savoring the Past: Supper Clubs"
  6. ^ Dennis Getto, "Supper clubs that are a cut above prime time", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  7. ^ "Supper Clubs: Buildings with Taste", Wisconsin State Historical Society
  8. ^ Brenda K. Bredahl, "The state of the supper club scene", Chicago Tribune, August 26, 2007.
  9. ^ "Savoring the Past: Supper Clubs"
  • Supper Club Is One Of The Things That Make Wisconsin What It Is. (June 27, 1999). Wisconsin State Journal.
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