Hello Friday.
April 19 2024
Have you ever been to a traditional Wisconsin supper club?
Despite being a Midwestern staple, the first supper club was started in Beverly Hills, California by a Milwaukee native as prohibition was ending. Social diners began to pop up across the country, and these dining institutions were destinations for fancy dinners, filling meals + friendly conversations.
Partly due to friendly Midwestern culture (ope, let me just squeeze past ya) + the agrarian nature of much of the Midwest, supper clubs stayed, even rising to infamy in some areas. Ishnala Supper Club near the Dells has over a 2-hour wait on the weekends.
So what makes a “true” supper club?
🏡 Location + atmosphere
- On the outskirts of town, you’ll typically find supper clubs situated on a lake or near a forest. Usually run by families, these mom-and-pop-style establishments make it easy to strike up a conversation with your fellow diners.
🐟 Friday fish fry
- Hearty entrees — from fish fry Fridays to prime rib Saturdays — are part of a classic meal.
🍸 Old Fashioned cocktail
- Hold the bourbon. Every good meal starts with a good cocktail + supper clubs stick to the classics. Order an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Brandy Alexander.
🥩 Multiple courses
- Wear your stretchy pants because you’re in for a multi-course meal. Traditional dinners start with tons of appetizers + classic cocktails, followed by meat-focused entrees and dessert carts.
Want to experience this Wisconsin classic? A few more places in town where you can sit + enjoy a generous and comforting meal:
Why are you going to supper club?
Or why are you going to sign up?
- Location. Nothing better than a scenic dinner.
- Cocktails: I'm just here for the drinks.
- Food: Bring me allll the meats.
- Atmosphere: Chatty Cathy over here.
Today
- 2022 Madison Home Expo | Fri., Jan. 7-Sun., Jan. 9 | Times vary | Monona Terrace | $5 | Learn about the latest innovations, offerings + ideas in home building and remodeling.
- The Cuz | Fri., Jan. 7 | 7-10 p.m. | The Bur Oak, 2262 Winnebago St. | $10 | A Midwestern band’s resurrection of rock and roll. 🎸
Saturday
- The Joey’s Song Benefit Concert Starring The Know-It-All Boyfriends | Sat., Jan. 8 | 7 p.m. | The Sylvee | $47.50+ | A star-studded lineup of musicians and a special performance from Charlie Berens. 🎵
- Late Winter Market | Sat., Jan. 8 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Garver Feed Mill | Free entry | Dane County Farmers’ Market’s winter market with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses + more.
- Pour Another Round 1st Anniversary Party | Sat., Jan. 8 | 2-9 p.m. | Garth’s Brew Bar, 1726 Monroe St. | Free entry | Meet and greet with the podcast hosts, a special beer on tap + food trucks. 🍻
- Wisconsin Jam Fest | Sat., Jan. 8 | 7 p.m. | Majestic Madison | $15 | A part of the 4-night, 9-genre, 3-venue festival celebrating prolific artists from the Badger State.
- Wisconsin vs. Ohio State | Sat., Jan. 8-Sun., Jan. 9 | 7 p.m. | Kohl Center | $20+ | Watch the men’s hockey team take on a Big Ten rival. 🏒
Sunday
- Sock Class | Sun., Jan. 9 | 3-5 p.m. | Fiddlesticks Knits, 1976 Atwood Ave. | $50 | The first class of a series where participants learn to knit a sock. 🧶
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 11º | Mostly sunny | 7% chance of rain 🌤️
Correction
- Yesterday, we said that UW-Madison’s series against Ohio State was cancelled. Well, the Badgers move fast. The series will be played this Saturday + Sunday at the Kohl Center. Tickets purchased for Friday will be honored on Sunday.
Health
-
COVID-19 hospitalizations are reaching all time highs in Madison as Omicron surges. Madison hospitals will be postponing non-emergency procedures, and Public Health Madison and Dane County will open a mass testing site at Alliance Energy Center on Jan. 10. Stay safe, Madison. (WKOW)
- The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced its first allocation of COVID-19 antiviral pills, effective at treating patients with “mild-to-moderate cases” of the disease. 940 courses of Paxlovid + 4,320 of molnupiravir will be distributed to select pharmacies today. Prescriptions will be highly limited, meaning the pills will not replace vaccination. (Channel3000)
Number
- $632 million. That’s the size of the seventh-largest Powerball jackpot in history, which will be split between two winners in Wisconsin + California. The Wisconsin lottery hasn’t announced where the winning ticket was sold — we’re not a betting newsletter, but we’d wager it’s Madison. (Wisconsin State Journal)
Active
Now Open
- Mercie’s Coffee, a new coffee shop with a mission to fight human trafficking by supporting local orgs + raising awareness, had its grand opening Monday. Stop in at 1748 Eagan Rd., across from the East Towne Mall, for great specialty coffee while supporting a great cause.
Eat
- Graze + L'Etoile will be closed a little while longer. The new plan is to re-open Jan. 11. Make sure to check out their new safety guidelines if you plan on going.
Seasonal
- Still not sure what to do with your broken Christmas lights? Bring them to Goodwill for safe recycling year-round. And if you still have the tree they hung on, might we suggest making it art. (WKOW)
Plan Ahead
- The start of the Late Winter Market at Garver Feed Mill is only a day away. Check out the market's website for information on vendors, parking + safety. Pro tip: the Capital City Trail passes right by Garver Feed Mill, so bike parking is ample if you’re up for a brisk ride.
Beat the cold with 4 themed igloos at Karben4 Brewing, including the space-themed Venus at Night experience + the "snow queen" Palais Crystal experience. They've also got a fire pit to rent for those chillier months. Reserve your spot through Feb. 12 at the link in Karben4's bio.
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