How to Plan and Budget for Supper Clubs

Hosting a supper club or dinner party series is one of the best ways to create delicious traditions with friends and family. Whether you're preparing a monthly potluck, hosting a summer barbecue series, or just meeting up at your favorite dinner spot weekly, there are few joys in life better than sharing food.

In a world where everybody seems plugged in and busy with various responsibilities, slowing down and taking some time to disconnect and share a mouthwatering meal can be both fun and a well-deserved break for all involved.

At Pool, we want to help you become the host-with-the-most by giving you some tips on throwing the perfect dinner party or supper club. Plus, we'll share some advice for budgeting and collecting funds for your future soirees.

Contents:

• The history of the supper club
• 5 easy tips for hosting a supper club
• How to gather contributions from attendees

The history of the supper club

Of course, the concept of a dinner party series isn't new. People have been gathering at supper clubs since the beginning of the 18th century! They've long operated in the US and UK as social gatherings focused around regular meetups over shared meals.

Similarly, and often used interchangeably, the supper club originated as a term used to describe a brick-and-mortar restaurant that functioned as an (often exclusive) club. Supper clubs were incredibly fashionable in the Prohibition era as locations where everybody could eat, drink, and talk until the early hours of the morning.

Over the years, supper clubs have also been described as "underground" eateries or social dining events hosted out of someone's home. However, today, the idea of hosting supper clubs is about gathering together with loved ones to bond over food regularly.

5 easy tips for hosting a supper club

1. Keep the guest list small

The "more the merrier" approach might not be the best for supper clubs. It's best to keep parties rather intimate so that it's easier to feed everyone. Plus, it keeps noise levels down and facilitates better conversation since it's easier for all attendees to talk to each other. Keeping guest lists on the smaller side allows for occasional "special guests," like a new significant other or visiting friend from out of town, without overcrowding.

2. Set a host rotation

The host should be responsible for supplying their home and the main courses and assigning tasks to other attendees. Consider setting host rotations, so everyone balances out the weight of hosting. This way, everyone in the group gets a turn to lead the meal, and no one feels overburdened. Plan your supper club dates to give everybody ample time to get ready and save the events in their calendars to simplify the process.

3. Stick to a schedule

Consistency is key when it comes to hosting dinners with your group. It's best to decide on a set day and time, like Sundays, when you can keep the event going. As you plan the frequency of your meals, ensure you keep the process realistic for attendees. For example, while dining weekly may sound doable upfront, it may also result in people canceling at the last minute.

4. Choose simple decorations and table settings

Although a visually-stunning table is #hostgoals, it's best to worry less about arranging a post-worthy tablescape and focus more on how you can serve up a delicious meal and just enjoy time with your guests.

When setting the table, go with the essentials — plates, cutlery, glasses, serving dishes, and linens. The basics don't have to be boring, either — you could opt for a seasonal bouquet from the grocery store for the centerpiece and choose cloth napkins instead of paper ones. You could even break out your vintage wine glasses or blend in a few of your favorite unique pieces collecting dust in the cupboard. Candles, flower petals, and colorful dishes can help set the mood.

5. Spice up the menu

Since supper clubs are frequent affairs, let the host be in charge of curating the menu. This is a chance to let creativity fly — you could choose to host themed meals (like Spanish tapas, make-your-own pizza night, Italian dishes, or an Ethiopian extravaganza) or break out the grill and serve up your favorite barbecue classics.

You could even make meals from your weekly meal delivery subscription or try to work your way through a cookbook as the series goes on. Whether you're hosting or attending, be aware of everyone in the group's dietary restrictions in advance so everyone can enjoy the meal safely.

Use a Pool to manage supper club expenses together

One of the biggest challenges of hosting a supper club is figuring out how to split expenses fairly. Food, drinks, decorations, and venue costs can add up quickly, and nobody wants one person to cover everything out of pocket.

Pool makes it easy to organize shared expenses with your group. Sign up at Poolmoney.com and create a Pool for your supper club. Then invite members to join.

Once members have signed up and joined the Pool, they can contribute funds directly from their linked bank accounts. Pool keeps contributions and spending activity organized in one place, making it easier to track shared expenses and stay on budget.

When it's time to make purchases, the Pool Admin or approved Spenders can use the Pool debit card to pay for groceries, beverages, decorations, venue rentals, or other supper club costs directly from the Pool.

For example, if your group is hosting a monthly dinner series, members can contribute toward the evening's expenses ahead of time, and the host can use the Pool debit card to purchase ingredients without needing to request reimbursements later.

Because Pool keeps supper club funds separate from personal finances, everyone can clearly see how money is being used and enjoy the event without worrying about who owes what.

Relax and have fun

The most important thing to remember is: have fun! Even if your lasagna ends up a little burned or somebody shows up a little late, hiccups are bound to happen. It's going to be okay!

Just remember why you started the supper club to begin with: to spend more time sharing meals and conversation with your loved ones. A supper club is, above all, a space to come together, relax, and create connections with others so sign up for Pool today at poolmoney.com