by David Brierley
Being near a lake (or any body of water, for that matter) tends to make us a little calmer and more relaxed – it gives us a break from the drudgery of everyday life. The same can be said for an evening at a supper club: We set aside an evening to forget the stresses of our day, chat with friends about inconsequential matters, laugh, and have fun.
This month we’re visiting The 5 O’Clock Club in Pewaukee, a supper club that combines a laid-back evening experience and the calming nature of being by a lake. It’s historic and upscale, yet casual in all the right ways. So, without further ado, let’s check it out.
From the parking lot, it’s obvious that this supper club was originally a grand lake house. With classic blue siding and a light gray shingled roof, it could still almost pass as a private residence, save for the large sign on the front pointing customers to the entrance at the left and announcing lunch, dinner, and the Friday fish fry.
As you make your way to the side of the building to reach the main entrance, you’ll see a large, beautiful deck on the water-facing side of the building, offering al fresco dining in the warmer months with a glimpse of the lake through the lush trees.
As you make your way through the entry, you’ll see one of the three dining rooms ahead of you, patio doors leading out to the deck to your left, and the barroom to your right. At the threshold to the barroom, a sign directs you to “See the hostess under the [picture of a fish].” Beneath that, a hand points you to the other side of the bar.
Pass through the barroom and, sure enough, you’ll find the host stand under a mounted fish. After checking in, you know what to do: Find a spot at the bar and order up some cocktails.
The bar area appears sufficiently old – but very well kept – with built-in wooden shelves behind a beautiful wood bar with curved ends and detailed trim. Dark red padded bar chairs offer a place to make yourself comfortable. The bartenders serve up classic old fashioneds and whatever else you might want to sip on.
While you relax with your drink, you can also take a look around the restaurant at the decor. Wallpapered walls, antiques, and other knick-knacks add to the feeling you’re dining in someone’s house rather than a classy supper club. It’s a nice touch that lends to the building’s history and makes you feel at home.
Also on the walls, you can find articles and memorabilia outlining the supper club’s long history dating back to the 1920s. It’s a nice touch and gives you some interesting insight into the supper club’s past.
Once your table is ready, you’ll be led to one of The 5 O’Clock Club’s dining rooms. The one directly across from the bar and the one to the side of the bar opposite the entrance both have fireplaces to keep the atmosphere extra cozy during the winter months. The one closer to the entrance rewards you with pleasant views from the windows that wrap around the side of the building.
At your table, you’ll be left with an important decision: What to order. The menu varies a bit depending on the day of the week, but much of it remains basically the same daily, including appetizers.
Nachos, a fruit and veggie tray, chicken strips, and homemade rosemary fries start things off, along with options like chicken wings or drummies, spinach and artichoke dip, and deep-fried everything: Mushrooms, onion rings, pepper rings, and mozzarella sticks. You can even order fresh raw oysters on the half shell.
There are also selections of dinner salads, burgers and sandwiches, and a kids’ menu. Most of the other sections on the menu will depend on the night you’re there.
If it’s a Tuesday or a Thursday, you can expect mains such as baby back pork ribs, a selection of steaks, a steamed vegetable medley, shrimp scampi, and a vegetable stir fry. Additionally, house favorites are available. You’ll have your choice of cod, perch, shrimp, or the “Classic Cluck,” which is a delicious fried chicken. According to the menu, it’s “Great grandma Mary’s recipe! Slow crisp-fried chicken half.”
Wednesday is Mexican night, when you can find entrees like enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas, taco salad, Mexican pizza, and fajitas.
Fridays are for fish fries, and The 5 O’Clock Club holds true to that Wisconsin tradition. The fish selection includes lake perch, cod, walleye, bluegill, shrimp, scallops, and various combinations of all of these.
Most entrees come with a cup of soup or house salad. Upgrading to the baked French onion soup is totally worth it, by the way. Bakery bread and choice of french fries or baked potato are also included, in true supper club fashion.
In addition to this wide array of options to choose from, the supper club also runs off-menu specials each week, and lunch is served Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 4 PM.
The waitstaff at The 5 O’Clock Club is friendly and efficient. Before you know it, you’ll be diving in to your dinner and relishing each and every bite.
Even if you don’t save room for dessert, you should probably order some. The various treats all sound amazing, and there’s even homemade ice cream in a bunch of different flavors. In fact, you can order an eight-scoop sampler, which sounds like a lot, but the scoops are small enough to give you a taste of each flavor without stuffing you too full.
Reflecting on your evening as you digest your meal, you’ll be happy you decided to try this truly historic supper club. And with its multiple fireplaces and picturesque deck, The 5 O’Clock Club is a place you’ll want to visit all year round.
To keep up with The 5 O’Clock Club’s specials, updates, and events (and to be tempted by tantalizing pictures of their food), follow them on Facebook and check out their website.
History of The 5 O’Clock Club
Back in the 1920s when Yugoslavian immigrants, Grandpa Frank and Grandma Mary Kizivat, moved to Pewaukee from Milwaukee, our long driveway was flanked by stately elm trees. There were tall corn fields, cow pastures, and peaceful summer cottages for rent on the lake. The present parking area was a sweeping lawn furnished with a horse barn and a pump house. Large, manicured vegetable gardens provided a bounty of produce for both canning for the long winters and sharing with visiting friends and relatives during the prime harvesting seasons. A scenic “honeymoon” cottage and an amusement park were in full swing, and people traveled from afar for the rejuvenating spring waters and spas nearby. Bountiful spring-fed lakes provided recreation for quaint family gatherings. Life was a bit slower. People were closer-knit.
As times have changed, we have tried to retain that atmosphere, even though most of the old buildings are gone and we have many new neighbors. After four generations of family ownership, we still continue to provide freshly made meals with quality ingredients, sourcing local and statewide seasonal products whenever possible.
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to join our Supper Club VIP group; you’ll be entered in our monthly drawing for a $50 gift card to an area supper club. You can also check out our past articles, as well as an interactive map that shows the supper clubs we’ve visited to find one near you. And, as always, there will be plenty more supper club fun to come.
Where in Wisconsin is this supper club?
Address: N28 W26658 Peterson Dr, Pewaukee, WI 53072
Nearby landmarks: Located on the southeast side of Pewaukee Lake, about 25 minutes west of Milwaukee and an hour east of Madison.
Website: https://the5oclockclubpewaukee.com/
Three can’t-miss features:
1. Family owned and operated by four generations for nearly 100 years
2. Porch + fireplaces = The perfect supper club for any season
3. Homemade ice cream sampler