Discovering Hayward's Winter Supper Club Scene

Imagine yourself in a warm, wood-paneled room, an Old Fashioned in your hand and a robust meaty aroma in the air. Neon signs glow behind you, lighting up your table, where pickles and olives dance across your fingertips as you decide which treat to pick up from your relish tray. You’re surrounded by loved ones, rosy cheeked and laughing, all excitedly waiting for the main course — a tender, juicy cut of prime rib. There’s only one thing you could be doing right now: Enjoying the longstanding Northwoods supper club tradition, a winter experience full of delicious ritual.

The entire world slows down in winter, and your dinner should be no exception. After a day of fishing on frozen lakes or cross-country skiing along wooded trails, a warm, slow-paced meal is just what you need to relax after a day of Wisconsin fun. So, pile in the car for a drive through snow-covered pines, kick off those snow-dusted boots and settle in for a Hayward supper club meal beyond compare.

Tally Ho Supper Club

Tally Ho’s cozy chalet vibes accent an Italian-themed supper club experience, where you can get all the standards like sauteed scallops, lobster, porterhouse or prime rib. Don’t forget to top your steak with sauteed mushrooms and onions! This family-owned restaurant also offers a taste of old-world Italian entrees, like veal parmesan and cheese lasagna.

The Ranch Supper Club

Since 1931, The Ranch has stood strong as a place of community gatherings and delectable food. Some locals might refer to it as The Aladdin, the name it held until 1960. Throughout the years, The Ranch has played host to not only steaks capped with walnut bleu cheese butter and onion rounds, but also Chicagoland gangsters and a few bison. Even the contents of the relish tray are historic, including the supper club standards of herring and cheese spread.

Trailways on 27

Grab an Old Fashioned at the bar and then head to your table next to the crackling fire at Trailways on 27, where you can enjoy not one, but two classic Wisconsin meals. Two days a week (on Wednesdays and Fridays), indulge in a crispy, flaky fish fry. The rest of the week, opt for a filet or ribeye for the traditional supper club meal, complete with a potato side, salad and basket of crackers with cheese.

The Steakhouse & Lodge

Saturdays are prime rib nights at The Steakhouse & Lodge, and for a winter supper club getaway, why not stay a weekend at the lodge among the snowy trees? That way, after devouring the giant-sized 20-ounce prime rib, you can walk right back to your room and sleep. And if you like your steak rare, this is the place to be. For just a couple of extra bucks, you can order your meat black and blue, dark and charred on the outside, but cool and extra-rare inside. If you’re planning on staying in the lodge, you'll be one mile from Downtown Hayward, where you can go shopping or see a movie. Make sure to take a mental note to return when the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame is back open for the season.

Tavern at White Stag Farm

You might have visited Wisconsin’s pizza farms in the summer, but the farm experience doesn’t have to end there. Tavern at White Stag Farm offers their farm-to-table cuisine year-round, using produce grown right on-site. For your supper club meal, get the filet or ribeye and follow it up with the farm’s own apple pie. It’s a truly local affair.

Supper clubs are a cherished cornerstone of the Wisconsin dining tradition. While the state is home to over 250 of these quintessential establishments, these selections proudly embody the rustic charm and generous spirit of the Northwoods and Hayward area.