Reservations: Recommended

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: Limited sidewalk seating (seasonal)

Standout Features and Other Notes:

Reservations: Recommended for parties of 6+

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: Patio (seasonal)

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

Reservations: Recommended for large parties

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: Covered patio seating (seasonal)

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

Reservations: Recommended

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: None

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

Reservations: Recommended for evenings and weekends

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: Covered patio seating (seasonal)

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

Reservations: Recommended

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: None

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

Reservations: Recommended for weekends

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: Screened-in porch (seasonal)

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

Reservations: Recommended

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: Covered patio (seasonal)

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

Reservations: Recommended for evenings and weekends

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: Patio seating (seasonal)

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

Reservations: Recommended

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: Screened-in porch (seasonal)

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

Reservations: Recommended

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: None

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

Reservations: Recommended for large parties

Sidewalk/Patio/Porch Seating: Screened-in porch, covered patio seating (seasonal)

Standout Features and Other Notes: 

While researching supper club spots in the area, I found quite a few oft-mentioned favorites didn't fit as neatly into the "supper club" box.

So what makes someplace a true midwestern supper club? I’m opening the question up to debate and hoping you can help me classify a few of the places that have proven harder for me (a Minnesota transplant) to categorize.

Here is the criteria I used for picking the top spots for this crawl:

Do they have a...

• A classic supper club ambiance?
• At least one room or bar area with wood paneling?
• Padded vinyl booths or heavy dining chairs?
• A carpeted dining room?
• An authentic relish tray?
• A cracker basket or grissini served in a tall bar glass?
• Popovers?
• A fish fry night?
• Ramekins of butter?
• Old fashioneds?
• Ice cream cocktails?

Of course, feel free to use your own guidelines to vote, and be sure to add your thoughts (or corrections) in the comments!

Locations in Question

The Lexington in St. Paul

Jax Cafe in Minneapolis

The Monte Carlo in Minneapolis

Lindey's Prime Steak House in Arden Hills

Gordy’s Steak House in Willernie

Mancini's Char House in St. Paul

"The elusive, enduring power of Minnesota supper clubs" from The Minnesota Star Tribune (thanks to @vitsy14.bsky.social for the link!)

"10 Minnesota supper clubs that set the standard for classic dining" from The Minnesota Star Tribune

"The Midwestern Supper Club Revisited" from Heavy Table

"A Supper Club State of Mind" from Barn Raiser

"Highway Fine Dining in the Upper Midwest" from Taste Cooking

Northwest Region Club List from Wisconsin Supper Clubs (a great site recommended by @mud2minnehaha.bsky.social )

Wisconsin Supper Clubs by Ron Faiola

Minnesota Eats Out: An Illustrated History by Kathryn Strand Koutsky and Linda Koutsky

Wisconsin Supper Club Cookbook by Mary Bergin

Closing Time: Saloons, Taverns, Dives, and Watering Holes of the Twin Cities by Bill Lindeke and Andy Sturdevant

Wisconsin Supper Clubs: An Old Fashioned Experience

Produced and directed by Ron Faiola

Make Supper Club Cocktails - Grasshopper, Pink Squirrel, Brandy Alexander

From Charlie Berens

Old Fashioned: The Story of the Wisconsin Supper Club (Trailer)

Produced, directed, and edited by Holly L. De Ruyter

Purchase the full documentary here (streaming or DVD)