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How to Start Your Own Supper Club (With Ideas and Sample Menus!)

ByAnn Woo Stephenson

A Step-by-Step Guide to Good Food & Even Better Company

There’s something magical about gathering around a table, sharing a homemade meal, and connecting over conversation that lingers long after dessert is gone. If you’ve ever wanted to make that a regular part of your life, starting a supper club might be exactly what you need.

Honestly, I just needed a built-in excuse. Something recurring that would force me to line up a babysitter and actually make time to be social. It’s so easy to get swept up in the chaos of daily life, and the excuses come fast. But once you commit to something and follow through, you always feel better afterward.

Whether you’re craving deeper connections, need a night out without kids, or just want to try new recipes, this guide will walk you through how to start your own supper club from scratch.

What Is a Supper Club, Anyway?

At its core, a supper club is a group of people who gather regularly to share a meal. It can be fancy or casual, themed or freestyle, rotating hosts or the same kitchen every time. The beauty lies in its flexibility! You make the rules.

For my Supper Club, we meet every other month with the host couple determining the theme. While we meet every other month, we take the summer months off (June and July) since summer schedules are nuts. In December, we go out to dinner for the last Supper Club of the year/for the holidays.

1: Find Your People

Think about who you’d love to sit around a table with on a regular basis. This could be:

  • Friends you never see enough
  • Neighbors you’d like to get to know better
  • Parents from your kids’ school
  • Co-workers who love food

Aim for a group size that fits comfortably around your table, usually 6 to 10 people is a good place to start. My Supper Club has 8 couples (16 people) but in almost 4 years, we’ve yet to have a supper where everyone could attend. That’s just the reality of life- not all the dates that work for the host couple will work for everyone- and that’s okay!

Tip: You don’t need everyone to be best friends on day one. Supper clubs are great for building community over time.

2: Choose a Format That Works

There’s no one right way to run a supper club, but here are a few options to consider:

  • Rotating Hosts– Each month, a different member hosts and prepares the meal.
  • Potluck– Each person brings a dish.
  • Themed Nights– Pick a cuisine or theme each time.
  • Recipe Club– Everyone cooks the same cookbook or recipe author.

You can make your supper club as formal or as laid-back as you’d like! In my Supper Club, the host couple chooses the theme for the night and takes care of the main protein and a signature cocktail/aperitif. From there, they assign the remaining dishes to the other couples, like this:

  • Couple 1: Appetizer
  • Couple 2: Side Dish
  • Couple 3: Salad
  • Couple 4: Dessert

Of course, the breakdown can shift depending on how many people or couples are attending that month. To keep things fun and flowing, each couple also brings a bottle of wine to share at the table.

3: Set a Schedule

Consistency is key. Decide on a recurring day that works for most. Maybe the first Saturday of every other month!

Send out calendar invites or group texts so it’s on everyone’s radar. For my Supper Club, we usually send out a group text with a few dates and the date with the majority vote becomes the next gathering.

4: Clarify Expectations

Have a quick chat upfront about:

  • Food preferences or allergies
  • Whether kids are welcome or it’s adults-only
  • Alcohol or BYOB policy
  • Cleaning after dinner

Clear expectations help avoid awkwardness down the road.

Ready to Start?

Starting a supper club isn’t just about the food- it’s about making intentional space for connection, joy, and slowing down. Send that first invite, pick a date, and see what unfolds around your table. I can’t believe I’m already nearing the end of my Supper Club’s third year (?!). In that time, we’ve shared countless meals, belly laughs, and even welcomed new babies into the group. It’s been such a fun tradition in my adulthood and I truly can’t recommend it enough.

To help you get started, here are some themes along with sample menus:

French Night

  • Apertif: Champagne, Lillet, French 75
  • Starters: Onion Tartlets, Crudité
  • Main Dish: Beef Bourguignon with potato mash or parsnip puree
  • Salad/French Bread/Cheeses
  • Dessert: French Tartes and Macarons

Moroccan Night

  • Aperitif: Mint Hot Toddy
  • Starters: Eggplant Dip, Carrot Dip
  • Salad & Pita: Moroccan Tomato Salad
  • Main Dish: Chicken Tagine with Olives
  • Sides: Herbed Couscous, Roasted Potatoes
  • Dessert: Baklava, a fruit plate

Taste of Thailand

  • Aperitif: Thaiger Woods Cocktail
  • Starters: Pork Satay, Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Thai Fresh Spring Rolls
  • Salad: Spicy Thai Style Zucchini Carrot Salad, Thai Green Papaya Salad
  • Main Dish: Chicken Pad Thai
  • Sides: Cucumber Salad, Thai Corn Fritters, Thai Green Beans
  • Dessert: Thai Fried Bananas, Sticky Mango Dessert

Tex Mex Night

  • Aperitif: Margaritas
  • Starter: Jalapeño Poppers, Chips and Salsa, Guacamole
  • Main Dish: Brisket Tacos
  • Side: Cilantro Lime Rice, Mexican Street Corn
  • Dessert: Banana Pudding

All Hallows Eve

  • Aperitif: Fall Pinot Grigio Sangria, Fall Cider Mocktails
  • Salad: Autumn, Kale, Apple, and Quinoa Salad
  • Main Dish: Pork Crown Roast
  • Sides: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Maple Syrup or Kale, cranberry, and sausage stuffed acorn squash
  • Dessert: Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Ice Cream or Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Coastal Grandmother Summer (Night in Nantucket)

  • Aperitif: Rum punch
  • Starter: Crab dip, shrimp cocktail, mini crab cakes
  • Salad: Corn and tomato salad or watermelon, mint and feta salad
  • Main dish: Tomato butter baked cod
  • Sides: Mashed potatoes or polenta, Summer vegetables (grilled or succotash)
  • Dessert: Strawberry shortcake, ice cream with blueberries, or peach galette

Other Ideas:

  • Game Day
  • Carribean Feast
  • Fondue Night
  • Sushi & Sake Night
  • Mediterranean Mezze Feast
  • Street Food Night
  • Low Country Boil
  • Garden Party

Have a supper club already or planning to start one soon? I’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment or tag me on Instagram @wooedbythefood!

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