How to Host an At-Home Supper Club
Take a look at the #HostTok hashtag that’s been taking over TikTok recently, and you’ll find videos filled with candlelit tables, artfully arranged sharing plates, and hosts proudly plating up for friends. One thing is clear: at-home hosting is having a moment. The trend reflects a growing appetite for meaningful evenings at home, where good food and connection take centre stage without the cost or formality of going out.
So, how can you bring the trend to life in your own home? The experts at Denby are here to share their top tips for hosting a stylish, stress-free supper club, from planning a menu guests will love to setting a welcoming table, it could be the perfect way to spend your Valentine’s Day.
Why host at home?
Hosting at home offers a relaxed alternative to busy bars and restaurants. There’s no need to book weeks in advance, shout over background noise, or worry about a hefty bill at the end of the evening. Instead, you can set the pace, tailor the menu to your guests (and budget), and create an environment where everyone feels genuinely at ease.
Even the most laid-back dinner can spark conversation and connection, something many of us are craving more of in today’s digitally-driven world. And it doesn’t need to be elaborate or intimidating. The most memorable evenings often take place in relaxed surroundings, with unfussy food and a host who stays present and part of the fun, rather than spending the whole night tied to the stove.
Our tips for effortless hosting
Hosting at home should feel enjoyable, not overwhelming. Here are a few of our top tips to host a stylish, welcoming, and successful supper club evening.
Set the tone with tablescaping
This year’s tablescaping trends favour understated refinement, focusing on interesting texture and colour rather than overly formal place settings.
Start by laying the foundation with table linens. A tablecloth, runner, and napkins made from natural fabrics will instantly soften the space. Etsy has named washed linen its texture of the year. Naturally tactile and effortlessly elegant, linen creates a relaxed, inviting backdrop for your dinner soirée. It adds depth without feeling overdone and is practical, too, easily laundered after the event.
When it comes to tableware, blue is the standout shade of the moment. Dulux have highlighted three blue tones as their colours of 2026: Slow Swing, Mellow Flow, and Free Groove. Each offers a muted, calming quality, making them ideal as a base that allows food to truly shine. Blue can also be introduced through unexpected details, such as glassware or seasonal floral arrangements, to add interest and contrast to the table.
Finish the look with low lighting. Candles, tealights, and small lamps scattered across the table and around the room will keep the atmosphere feeling cosy and intimate. Keep centrepieces low to ensure conversation flows easily between guests.
Embrace the art of apéro dînatoire
Apéro dînatoire is a French style of entertaining centred around small plates, sharing boards, and drinks. Think “picky bits” but elevated. Less formal than a sit-down dinner, it encourages mingling and conversation, allowing guests to graze at their own pace.
Arrange food across a mix of platters, boards, and shallow bowls to create an abundant, welcoming feel without the pressure of courses or strict timings. Set out generous serving boards or trays layered with charcuterie: cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruit, olives, and crusty bread, alongside dips and a few simple canapés, such as bruschetta or prosciutto wrapped melon. It’s a relaxed approach that allows much of the food to be prepared in advance, yet still looks effortlessly impressive once laid out on the table.
You could even ask each guest to bring a dish, whether it’s a dessert, salad, or small plate. Potluck-style dinners are a great way to get everyone involved, and add variety to the table. Plus, they take some pressure off the host.
Fashionable flavours
A key flavour trend for 2026 is ‘fricy’ food, a playful blend of sweet, citrusy fruit flavours with added heat. Inspired by the Mexican practice of sprinkling chilli or Tajín over fruits such as watermelon or grapefruit, this bold combination is an easy way to add interest to sharing dishes. It also pairs beautifully with drinks like margaritas or palomas, creating a cohesive ‘fricy’ food-and-drink combination. To complete the Mexican-inspired theme, serve your dishes in colourful or patterned accent pieces that make the table pop.
Nostalgic, comforting meals are also making a welcome return. Comfort food classics such as slow-cooked beef stews, lasagnes, or creamy risottos are ideal for chillier evenings, bringing warmth and a sense of togetherness to the table. Even better, most of these recipes can be cooked in a single pot, helping to minimise washing up and keep hosting stress-free. Serve straight from the casserole dish and let everyone dig in for an informal, communal feel.
Hosting staples that work harder
Owning a few versatile pieces that work hard for you is the secret to stress-free hosting.
For sharing-style menus, a mix of platters, boards, and small plates allows food to be presented beautifully while encouraging guests to help themselves. A well-coordinated set of dinner plates or pasta bowls is essential for main meals, while smaller bowls work perfectly for sides, salads, and communal dishes. Sturdy oven-to-table pieces make it easy to prepare food in advance and serve straight from the oven, keeping things relaxed and informal.
Glassware is equally important. A reliable set of wine glasses is a hosting essential, while stylish tumblers instantly elevate a table, and can be used for cocktails, soft drinks, and water alike.
For ultimate ease, choose tableware that’s dishwasher-, oven-, and freezer-friendly. This will help minimise clean-up and let you maximise time spent with guests.
A thoughtfully chosen token of appreciation
When you gather with your nearest and dearest for an evening of good food and quality time, that in itself is a gift. No reservations, no rush: just the simple pleasure of being together.
But, if you’re invited as a guest, bringing a small gesture of thanks for the host can make their evening all the more memorable. This favour doesn’t need to be lavish – in fact, it’s often the simplest things that mean the most. Think a jar of homemade treats, a bottle of wine you know they’ll enjoy, their favourite flowers popped into a vase, or a thoughtfully written card. It’s not about the price tag, but showing you appreciate the time, effort and warmth they’ve shared.
“Many of us are craving connection right now, but we don’t always have the time, space, or budget to go out or eat at restaurants. Inviting friends and family into your own home is the perfect way to come together for a relaxed yet meaningful evening.
“These gatherings don’t need to be elaborate. It’s the shared conversation and laughter that make the evening memorable. A well-planned, easily shareable menu encourages mingling, and a few versatile tableware essentials make hosting simple, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the people around your table.” Zoe Turner, Head of Brand Development at Denby.
Top photo by Stefan Vladimirov on Unsplash