A Rich History of the Wisconsin Supper Club
Weekend nights in Wisconsin mean it’s time for fish fries, prime rib, old fashioneds, and of course the place to have ‘em both – Supper Clubs. What better way to celebrate good times spent with friends and family than to come together and enjoy some Wisconsin-style comfort foods made from scratch by familiar hands.
If you’re not from the Upper Midwest, chances are you may have a different idea of what a Supper Club means to Wisconsinites. While the name gives you an indication of what you’re in for – a club where you eat... that’s right... supper – these unique eateries are attractions in and of themselves, featuring a classic lounge atmosphere, full bar, generous portions, and sometimes live music. Across the Midwest, there’s no better dining experience than a Wisconsin Supper Club.
There are at least 250 Supper Clubs operating in Wisconsin today, with the allure of each Supper Club being unique, yet comfortable. We know just what to expect when visiting. Supper Clubs grew in popularity after Prohibition and truly took off after WWII in the late 1940’s. Cabarets, roadhouses, and dance halls morphed into what is now a Supper Club. It was a way to experience the luxury of an elite club without the price tag. With their popularity growing in the 50’s and 60’s, they featured weekend Saturday specials that you wouldn’t normally make in your home, such as prime rib and lobster.
When it comes to identifying this type of restaurant, there are a few hallmark signs that a Supper Club will have:
Family style appetizers:
Some Supper Clubs bring a relish tray to your table that includes pickles, olives, and sometimes celery and carrot sticks. However, not all Supper Clubs offer these, (though you can ask for one if you like).
Some Supper Clubs offer a basket of breadsticks and crackers with butter. Not fresh, soft breadsticks, of course – we're talking pre-packaged, hard breadsticks that look like a couple short pencils in a plastic wrapper, available in various garlic and onion options. If you get one with sesame seeds you’ve won, the jackpot!
Thanks to the Sky Club Supper Club in Plover, Wisconsin, many Supper Clubs since 1950 offer a comprehensive salad bar with most meals.
Drink orders are Midwest classics and ice cream creations:
The signature drink of many Wisconsin Supper Clubs is the Brandy Old Fashioned. However, we like to make our old fashioned with a twist...of cinnamon!
Old Fashioned Duck
Old Fashioned Duck: A new twist on an old favorite!
2 oz. Lone Duck Cinnamon Whiskey
½ oz. Simple Syrup (or 1 Sugar Cube)
2 Dashes Bitters
Orange Slice
Maraschino Cherry
Ground Cinnamon for garnish dusting
Muddle the fruit, bitters, and simple syrup in the bottom of a tub glass. Add Lone Duck Cinnamon Whiskey and ice. Top with sweet, sour, or press and stir. Dust another orange slice with cinnamon for a garnish.
Diners with a sweet tooth will be delighted to discover that many Supper Clubs will offer alcoholic ice cream beverages such as our Lone Duck Alexander.
Supper Club bars are just as generous with their portions as the kitchen, so if you like an extended pour in your cocktail, this is the place!
You won’t find any small portions or low-cal options here:
With infamously large portions, Supper Clubs are not known for being particularly health conscious. If there ever were a time to indulge in high-calorie, buttery foods, it’s at a Wisconsin Supper Club.
A staple of the Supper Club menu is lobster (with butter), though prime rib with sauteed mushrooms and onions (and butter) is a close second. You’ll also find plenty of potatoes, gravy, steak, scallops (with butter), grilled veggies, fresh-baked bread (with butter), and of course.... well, butter.
Dinner might cost a bit more, but the waitstaff are top tier, you and your group are treated well, and you will get enough food for a couple of meals. Feel free to ask for a take-home container so you can mix up a Northern Oasis Spirits cocktail and enjoy your own Supper Club experience at home the next day.
Keep your eye out for a Friday Fish Fry:
Dining on a Friday, especially in the summertime, most Supper Clubs will offer a fish fry special. From Perch, to Cod, to Walleye, and Bluegill, nothing beats a homemade fish fry!
Supper Clubs usually source their fish locally, so if you want a solid dining experience that supports the local community, the Friday Fish Fry is where it’s at!
You are also sure to meet other supper club enthusiasts at every fish fry. The nice thing about going to a Supper Club is that even if they’re swamped during a Friday dinner rush, you can still sit at the bar and chat with friends – or make new friends you can look forward to hanging out with next week!
Not into fish? Saturday’s your night: most supper clubs complement their Friday fish fry with a Saturday prime rib special! This juicy, flavorful steak is a staple, and you can dress it up with sauteed onions, mushrooms, au jus, and almost anything else you can think of. Just ask your server, and the kitchen will make it exactly how you like it.
If you are just like us, who love and value good times spent with friends and family, take a trip to your local Supper Club and enjoy an Old Fashioned and a great fish fry (or prime rib) dinner!
Speaking of hanging out with new friends, if you visit any of the popular Supper Clubs in Central Wisconsin, you might catch us at the bar, talking to the bartenders and our dinner companions. Come on over and introduce yourself! We’d love to meet you and share our recommendations...and if you’ve been there before, we’d love to hear yours!