The return of the London supper club
The familiar sound of old Uni friends catching up gets louder and louder as friends, family members and colleagues fill the sun-drenched space that is Pique Café in Clapham Junction. As the atmosphere builds and the tables fill, ‘the boys’ ensure everyone has a cucumber liqueur cocktail in hand – an excellent way to ease into a night full of food and wine festivities. Everyone has embraced the Mediterranean white party theme, and the tables are laid with spring flowers to match.
This is the start of a Mutuals Supper Club experience.
A couple of years ago old friends Harvey Sellers and Jack Leggett had a mission and a desire to “get people back around the table and bring human connection to the forefront again”. Out of this passion, their business, Mutuals, was born – a supper club booking service that caters to corporate clients as well as anyone planning a dinner party with a difference.
“Mutuals is a modern supper club platform where clients – whether they’re planning a team social, a client dinner, or even a private birthday – can build a dining experience from scratch,” Sellers told db. “It’s less formal than a restaurant, more curated than hosting at home, and it blends great food, great venues, and conversation in a setting that feels effortlessly social.”
Subhead: The post-pandemic pivot
The timing couldn’t be more apt. The lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been well-documented – and nowhere more so than in how people choose to socialise. For two years, birthdays, work drinks and friendships played out through screens. And when restrictions were lifted, it wasn’t the sticky-floored nightclubs people returned to in droves – it was the promise of more meaningful, offline connection.
In the last five years, more than a third of nightclubs in Britain have shut their doors, according to BBC data released in March. That’s around 400 venues. The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) found that nearly two-thirds of 18- to 30-year-olds were going out less in 2024 than the year before. Meanwhile, YouGov polling shows that Gen Z are also the most sober generation on record, with 39% of 18- to 24-year-olds not drinking alcohol at all. Psychologist Dr Elizabeth Feigin points to a growing consciousness around both physical and mental health.
While Mutuals isn’t just catering to Gen Z consumers – with corporate teams making up a big bulk of their clients – it’s clear the model resonates with a generation that prizes experience over excess. Think team socials without the sticky name tags and forced organised fun, and birthday parties where the wine is thoughtfully poured and the music doesn’t drown out conversation.
“Mutuals was born from a desire to get people back around the table – to bring human connection to the forefront again,” said Sellers. “In a post-COVID world, with so much of life happening through screens, we saw a clear need and desire for real-world interaction.”
In an increasingly AI-driven world, the Mutuals model feels both refreshing and, arguably, essential. As technology accelerates and more of our lives migrate online, the simplicity of sitting around a table with real people and real food offers a kind of grounding. It’s a return to basics – a reminder that the most meaningful experiences still happen offline.
“At the same time, we’ve watched how run clubs and community fitness events have exploded in popularity – not just because of the activity itself, but because people are craving shared experiences. We’re building Mutuals to meet that same energy, but through food – creating a space for people to come together, eat well, and be present with others.”
Supper clubs 2.0
While supper clubs have existed in various forms since their (documented) birth in 1930s California, where they offered glamour and cabaret dining at the dawn of Prohibition’s end, as explained in a recent report by The Financial Times, the format has undergone a modern London reinvention. Here, they’re less about velvet curtains and more about home-made style food, themed cocktails and good wine.
As with many modern hospitality trends, Instagram is part of the ecosystem. It’s where hosts find chefs, venues and inspiration – and it’s where Harvey and Jack spot potential collaborators.
Partner Content
“We hand-pick our partnered chefs and venues based on character, vibe, and alignment with the Mutuals experience. Instagram is a big part of the discovery process – it helps us get a sense of their presence and creativity,” explains Sellers. “Venues are usually underused spaces with soul – often cafés or creative studios with kitchens – that transform beautifully in the evening.”
At the most recent Mutuals Community event, the courses were cooked from scratch by “the Bullen Street boys” – essentially friends of Harvey and Jack, who’ve all lived together in London at some point or another. The wine pairing was theatrically (and comedically) presented by Toby Eaton, whose passion for wine stemmed from his family business, Nethergate Wines. Guests were treated to bottomless Dea del Mare wine, as conversation and volume levels rose with each course.
“At its heart, Mutuals is about bringing people together around a table – the way humans have always done,” said Sellers. “Food is the vehicle, but connection is the goal. There’s no pressure to drink or perform, just to turn up, eat well, and engage with the people around you.”
The business of breaking bread
So how does it all come together?
“We’ve made it really simple: Choose a package – from light ‘nibbles’, to a casual supper club, to a more premium fine dining experience. Pick your venue – often hidden gems or cafés that become beautiful after-hours spaces. Select your private chef – based on vibe, cuisine, or who you’ve seen on Instagram. Add an experience – a whisky tasting, olive oil session, or something interactive to break the ice. We then act as the commercial agent – coordinating with our partner chefs, venues, and suppliers – to bring your evening together. All you have to do is show up.”
The client base so far includes start-ups, HR managers, and creative teams looking to treat clients or throw stylish off-site dinners. But interest is also growing from private individuals planning milestone birthdays and intimate celebrations.
And while Mutuals blends elements of hospitality, events and marketing, its focus is firmly on fostering connection.
“Mutuals is a commercial agency for curated social dining. But the result of what we do is community,” Sellers said. “We exist to make it easy for people to host meaningful experiences, and in doing so, create space for connection.”
“Our content-led approach – highlighting venues, chefs, and tasting experiences – is also central to how we grow. We’re building a platform that showcases great partners, sparks ideas, and ultimately gets people out into the real world.”
What’s next for Mutuals?
For now, the business remains London-based, but the plan is to scale. The duo envision a digital platform where users can browse chefs and venues “like they’d build a playlist”, and pull together their own supper club experience in minutes.
“We want to become the go-to platform for curated group dining – whether for work, celebration, or something in between. And ideally, we’ll have grown a community of repeat hosts and incredible partners who make every event feel one-of-a-kind.”
If Mutuals is anything to go by, the age of the dinner party isn’t just back – it’s had a makeover, swapped the centrepiece casserole for truffle-topped sharing plates, and added a sommelier to your WhatsApp group.
