Pop-Up Restaurant and Supper Club Hire: A Practical Guide

A pop-up restaurant or supper club is a time-limited dining event, often held in a non-traditional space: a barn, a warehouse, a private house, or an outdoor setting. The right hire equipment determines whether the evening feels like a proper restaurant experience or an improvised gathering.

Tables for Intimate Dining

Round tables are the preferred choice for supper club formats. A round table seating 8 to 10 guests encourages conversation between all diners, avoids the hierarchical feel of a long banquet table, and makes it easier for staff to serve from any angle.

For a pop-up restaurant seating 40 to 60 guests, four or five round tables of 8 to 10 is a common configuration. If the space is narrow, or if the format is more informal, rectangular folding tables in groups of 6 work as a practical alternative.

Linen for a Restaurant Feel

Linen is what separates a dining event from a party. White or ivory tablecloths on round tables communicate that guests are being hosted properly. Matching napkins complete the setting.

For a 60-person supper club, you will need 6 tablecloths (one per table) and 70 to 80 napkins, allowing a small surplus. Expo Hire supplies linen in standard sizes to fit round tables from 5ft to 6ft diameter.

Crockery, Cutlery and Glassware

A pop-up restaurant running 3 to 4 courses cannot wash and reuse crockery between courses. Plan for at least 1.5x your guest count for each crockery item so plates can be cleared and fresh ones brought without a washing delay.

For 60 guests across a 3-course meal, a working estimate:

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• 80 dinner plates for the main course
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• 80 starter or side plates
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• 80 dessert plates or bowls
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• 60 sets of cutlery per course
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• 100 wine glasses, 80 water glasses
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• 60 champagne flutes for the welcome drink
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Expo Hire's crockery range and glassware range are available in quantities suited to events of this size.

Temporary Kitchen Setup

A pop-up in a non-kitchen venue needs a preparation and holding area. The minimum for a hired caterer working on-site: a hot cupboard or chafing dishes to hold food at service temperature, a prep table, and washing facilities (usually the caterer's responsibility).

For holding and serving, Expo Hire's catering equipment range includes hot cupboards and chafing dishes. Discuss the setup with your caterer in advance. Some bring their own holding equipment; others expect it to be hired in.

Supper Club vs. Private Dinner

The equipment needs differ slightly between a ticketed supper club and a private dinner party. For a supper club where confirmed numbers fluctuate until close to the date, order 10 to 15% more crockery and glassware than your current confirmed count. For a private dinner with a fixed guest list, order exactly to your confirmed count plus 5% for breakage.

Chairs for the Occasion

The chair choice sets the tone as much as the tablecloth. Chiavari chairs suit a formal supper club held in an elegant space. For a more casual barn or warehouse setting, folding chairs with chair covers strike a balance between practicality and presentation.

Delivery to Unusual Venues

Pop-ups often take place in venues without loading bays or service lifts. Expo Hire delivers to any accessible location across England and Wales, but confirm vehicle access when booking. Gravel driveways, narrow lanes, and multi-storey buildings all affect what delivery vehicles can reach. See the carriage page for delivery charges based on your postcode.

See also: outside caterer equipment hire guide and buffet setup guide.