The rise of Gen Z supper clubs
Why meaningful connection happens outside the classroom
As universities and colleges continue to invest in digital-first teaching and blended learning experiences, many Gen Z students are looking for something less structured and far more human. Enter: the supper club revival.
Across the UK, a growing number of Gen Z-led supper clubs are offering young people an alternative to dating apps, overpriced bars and online friendships.
Instead, they’re warmly welcomed to affordable gatherings that feed both the stomach and the soul. And they’re becoming a cultural movement in their own right.
Ditching the dancefloor
Nightlife is in decline with around 400 clubs closing in Britain in the last five years – and Gen Z is leading the exodus. A generation often labelled the “stay-at-home generation” is rejecting traditional nightlife including clubbing and drinking in favour of smaller, more intentional events to connect with others.
And this doesn’t mean young people are antisocial. Far from it. What we’re seeing is a deliberate move from loud, crowded environments towards settings that allow for genuine conversation, shared experiences and community building.
A new kind of gathering
Emerging supper clubs like 2sday, The Candid Club and Dinner for One Hundred are redefining what it means to socialise. They don’t just serve food – they serve a sense of belonging. They’re carefully curated experiences designed around themes, storytelling and often, social purpose. At a typical supper club, guests might be strangers at 7pm and following each other on Instagram by dessert.
It's a format with historical roots, but a distinctly modern edge. Through design, tone and atmosphere, these clubs appeal to a generation that prizes authenticity, values mental wellbeing and craves IRL connection.
So, what does this mean for you?
If you work in student engagement, events, wellbeing or outreach, this is a trend worth paying attention to. Supper clubs – and the values behind them – tell us a lot about what Gen Z wants from their time at university.
Young people aren’t just looking for social activities. They’re looking for connection that’s:
- Authentic – not overly branded or institutional
- Inclusive – welcoming across backgrounds and interests
- Low-pressure – no forced fun, just space to talk and unwind
- Offline – a break from the digital-first norm of campus life
This opens the doors for educational institutions to reimagine their approach to community building. Could you support students to run their own supper club-style events? Could student unions or wellbeing services facilitate more informal meetups that feel peer-led rather than programme-led?
Projects run by Eat Club and Appetite show what’s possible. Eat Club delivers cook-and-eat sessions for young people across London and beyond, focusing on wellbeing and social inclusion. While Appetite helps communities set up their own food-based gatherings, empowering people to create culture – not just consume it.
Why it matters more than ever
At a time when loneliness is still one of the biggest issues facing young people – particularly those transitioning into or out of higher education – spaces like supper clubs are quietly doing the work that traditional student support services can struggle to reach. They build confidence, reduce anxiety and remind students they’re not alone.
Supper clubs also reflect a mindset shift. Gen Z is building experiences, often with limited resources but maximum creativity. For institutions, the challenge isn’t to lead from the front, but to offer the infrastructure or guidance that enable students to create their own versions of what connection looks like.
Food for thought
If your student engagement strategy still centres around club nights and campus fairs, it might be time to update the menu.
- Rethink what “events” look like – smaller can be better.
- Back student-led ideas with funding and resources (if possible).
- Could a communal meal be more effective than a wellbeing webinar?
- Collaborate with local organisations to bring socially meaningful food experiences onto campus.
Creating new rituals, like supper clubs, that meet the emotional needs of Gen Z are going to be far more effective than freshers week wristbands ever could.
