BOB's BLOG - The Supper Club Revolution: Redefining How We Dine - Friday 23 January 2026

Rob Kelly
Jan 29
3 min read

Greetings T&T VIPS!

There's something quietly revolutionary happening in dining rooms, pop-up spaces, and reclaimed high street venues across the country. The supper club, once a nostalgic relic of mid-century America, has been reborn as one of the most exciting trends reshaping modern hospitality.

A History Worth Savouring

Supper clubs first emerged in the United States during Prohibition, when exclusive dining societies offered not just food but an entire evening's entertainment, often with a knowing wink to the era's speakeasy culture. Fast forward to today, and the concept has evolved into something far more democratic and diverse. What began as underground dining experiences in chefs' homes during the 2008 financial crisis has blossomed into a full-fledged movement, offering an alternative to the traditional restaurant model.

The New Dining Landscape

In an evolving hospitality landscape where sky-high rents and operational costs can crush culinary dreams before they've even plated their first dish, supper clubs represent something beautifully subversive: the ability to showcase exceptional food without the burden of bricks and mortar. They're nimble, experimental, and unburdened by the overheads that make traditional restaurants such a gamble.

This flexibility has opened doors for talented chefs who might otherwise never get their shot. Pop-up spaces, shared kitchens, community halls, and repurposed high street venues that once stood empty now pulse with life on supper club nights. It's a model that breathes new purpose into forgotten spaces while giving culinary entrepreneurs a low-risk launchpad for their ideas.

A World of Flavours on One Table

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the supper club trend is its culinary fearlessness. Freed from the pressure to please every diner every night, supper club chefs are pushing boundaries and exploring fusion concepts that traditional restaurants might consider too risky. From Peruvian-Japanese nikkei to Korean-Italian mashups, the supper club circuit has become a testing ground for the bold and the brilliant.

The intimate scale encourages experimentation. Chefs can try regional specialties, heritage recipes, or unexpected combinations knowing their audience has specifically chosen to join them on that culinary journey. It's dining as adventure, and diners are here for it.

Beyond the Plate

But supper clubs offer something even more valuable than exceptional food: connection. In an age of contactless delivery and scroll-through dining decisions, supper clubs create genuine human moments. Strangers share tables, stories emerge over shared plates, and the chef isn't a distant figure in a kitchen but often right there, explaining the inspiration behind each course.

It's hospitality stripped back to its essence: gathering, sharing, and breaking bread together.

Join Us at the Table

Which brings us to some exciting news. We're thrilled to announce that Tried & True is diving into the supper club scene, and we're starting with something special: a Texas-Indian fusion celebration of BBQ and spice on Valentines Day Saturday 14 February 2026.

Think bold flavours that don't apologize. Think banter flowing as freely as the beers. Think the smoky char of Texas barbecue traditions meeting the aromatic intensity of Indian spice, all served with the warmth and character you know us for.

There will also be delicious wine pairings from Kiwi Cru and guest craft beers to enjoy on the night.

This is our first supper club, and tickets are limited. We're creating an evening, not just a meal, and we want you there.

Register your interest by clicking the button below

Looking for a unique gift?

You may have seen that we've been adding to our retail lines at Tried & True with our Rookery Farm Organic Eggs, Sevenseeded Breads, Alt Milks, T&T Totes and Tshirts, T&T Diner Mugs and a wide range of Specialty Coffee and Brewing Equipment available to purchase.

We've added a variety of artisan products including Olive Oils, Dressings, Chutney, Hot Sauce. Let us know if there's anything you'd like us to source.

We've also expanded our range through our webshop hosted at shop.barnabyandboos.co.uk

Here you'll be able to select some exclusive new items including ceramic coffee mugs featuring Rachel Hunt Designs and our new T&T Original Brunch T Shirt. A perfect gift available in two colours and multiple sizes.