supperclub San Francisco

San Francisco’s most unique and provocative restaurant, supperclub is perhaps the only place in the city where you can be served a gourmet multi-course dinner in a Roman bed followed by an entertaining show of tight rope walkers, belly dancers or an operatic aria.

This San Francisco restaurant, pioneered in 1990 by the Amsterdam supperclub, is funky and unconventional — certainly a unique way to spend an evening in San Francisco.

"The supperclub concept is both decadent and non-traditional," said Edme Straver, General Manager. "We like to surprise our guests as well as encourage them relax. The original supperclub in Amsterdam was the result of a group of artists desiring a venue to present their work (fine art, performance art, literary arts, and music), and it began in an empty warehouse that had no furniture. The artists and their guests brought their old mattresses for seating and the concept was born."  

Opened in October 2005, supperclub San Francisco is a restaurant, bar and nightclub all mixed into one.

Upon your arrival at 7 p.m., you'll be whisked into the elegant supperclub lounge, Bar Rouge, where you'll enjoy cocktails in one of the upholstered red leather seats. Next, you'll go into the all-white dining room, supperclub La Salle Neige, where you'll remove your shoes and be seated at your over-sized supperclub bed, which comes complete with several cozy pillows.

"Our guests love it because it is unusual, relaxed and it also encourages interaction," said Straver. "The beds are also very nice for intimate conversations and for couples who want to get close." And if you have a stiff neck or sore back, supperclub's massage therapists wander the restaurant offering neck, back, and foot massages.

The prix fixe multi-course gourmet menu — priced between $35 - $85 — is always a surprise. Supperclub menu items have included Ahi Tuna Sashimi served on an artist’s palette with wasabi and soy sauce paints; Cream of Cauliflower Soup  served in a chrome dog bowl; Frosted Layer Cake served with a latex glove instead of a fork; and Crème Brulee served in an ashtray. 

The vegetarian menu might include stuffed acorn squash with basil sauce; shepherd’s pie with glazed seitan, fava-beans and mushrooms; and cherries with chocolate cake infused with acai liqueur.

"Entertainment varies each night and might include contortionists, interactive video, dancers, singers, aerialists, clowns," said Straver. "The two-level open dining room is U-shaped, and very like a theater. With all of the beds facing toward the center of the room, diners can focus their attention on the performers."

During dinner, which begins at 8 p.m., guests can watch chefs prepare their meal in the open kitchen while enjoying funky old school mixes including ABBA, 70s disco and R&B. Feel free to get up and dance — it's all part of the fun.

At around 10:30 p.m., supperclub turns into a hot San Francisco nightclub, complete with pulsing lights and an award-winning mix of tunes.

In fact, the supperclub music has something of a cult following, with several CDs available under the "supperclub presents" label. Among the most popular mixes are supperclub beauty, supperclub arrogance, supperclub jealousy, supperclub addiction, supperclub cruise and a continuing series called supperclub nomads. If you want a nice compilation, check out supperclub best of 15 years.

"The majority of our dinner guests stay for the after-dinner party because the supperclub beds are so comfortable and they encourage lingering," said Straver. "Plus the energy carries over after dinner, and there’s good people watching." Dancing continues until 2 a.m., and there is no additional cover charge.

For supperclub discounts, consider taking part in its 2010 supperclub Voyeurs Dining Rewards. Every time you dine in 2010, you'll receive a 10 percent discount toward the supperclub New Years Eve celebration on Dec. 31.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, supperclub has restaurants in Amsterdam, Istanbul, Singapore, San Francisco and London. Supperclub LA at the Vogue Theater is set to open in 2010. For more information, call (323) 466-1900.

supperclub San Francisco is located at 657 Harrison Street at Third. Hours are 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, with dinner seating beginning at 7 p.m. each night. For reservations, call 415-348-0900 or visit www.supperclub.com.

Photos: Heather Rudloff / Courtesy of supperclub San Francisco

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