Shabbat is the New Friday Night: Where Young, Cool Jews Are Gathering for Ritual and Revelry
Forget velvet ropes and overpriced bottle service—these days, the hottest Friday night scene for young, culturally connected Jews isn’t a club in the traditional sense. It’s Shabbat dinner. Across the U.S., Shabbat has undergone a glamorous glow-up, transforming from a family meal with brisket and bubbe into the social event of the week for Gen Z and Millennials.
Picture this: candlelight flickering over communal tables, challah being passed alongside craft cocktails, a DJ spinning after kiddush, and a crowd of stylish, curious, and connected Jews raising a glass to “l’chaim.” Welcome to the new Friday night.
Here are the buzziest spots around the country where Shabbat dinners are redefining what it means to keep it holy—and have fun doing it.
Club Allenby – Miami, FL
📍 Pop ups in Miami, LA, NYC and beyond
Club Allenby—named after the iconic Tel Aviv street—is a brand-new Jewish social club that started out as a nightclub in Wynwood, Miami and has evolved into a rotating pop-up in cities around the US. Born out of a desire to reimagine Shabbat for a new generation, the goal of Club Allenby is to bring together diverse groups of Jews—locals, creatives, travelers, and seekers—for intimate, curated dinners in unexpected locations. It’s part prayer, part party, with a Miami vibe.
@cluballenby
Maxwell Social – New York, NY
📍 Tribeca
Maxwell Social is a private members’ club redefining what Jewish connection looks like for the next generation. While the space is open to creatives and entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, Friday nights have become the domain of the young Jewish cool. The vibe is elegant and elevated: cocktail attire, candlelit tables, and seasonal menus with nods to Jewish heritage. One week might feature Persian tahdig and pomegranate brisket, while another riffs on deli classics with a twist. Speakers, artists, and musicians often make surprise appearances—think Havdalah with a saxophone solo.
@maxwellsocial
Photo courtesy of @maxwellsocial
Shabbat Supper Club at Gertie – Brooklyn, NY
📍 Williamsburg
Gertie, the modern Jewish diner already beloved for its bagel towers and smoked fish platters, hosts one of the most laid-back-yet-cool Shabbat scenes in New York. Every Friday, the “Shabbat Supper Club” transforms the space into a cozy communal gathering where guests come to unplug and connect IRL. The dinners sell out fast, attracting a hip crowd of artists, writers, start-up types, and spiritual seekers. Expect soulful food (think pastrami short ribs, za’atar-roasted carrots), vintage vinyl, and intimate conversation over wine and rugelach.
@gertienyc
OneTable – Nationwide
📍 Your house
OneTable is a non-profit that empowers Jews across the United States to create their own Shabbat dinners. Their digital platform enables even the most amateur Shabbat-ers to host a Friday night dinner full of ritual, meaning and, of course, fun. They support hundreds of Shabbat dinners every week for thousands of hosts and guests to create their own practices and experiences with their DIY hosting model.
@onetableshabbat
Shabbat Club – New York, NY
📍 Pop-up locations across NYC
Founded by content creator and food influencer Morgan Raum in October 2023, Shabbat Club is a roving dinner party series that reimagines Friday nights for young, culturally connected Jews. Each event is hosted at a different trendy NYC restaurant—past venues include Shalom Japan, 12 Chairs Café, and Sammy’s Roumanian—offering a fresh culinary experience every time. These gatherings blend traditional rituals like candle lighting and blessings over wine with modern elements such as curated menus, stylish tablescapes, and a vibrant social atmosphere. Shabbat Club has quickly become a staple in NYC’s modern Jewish scene, offering an inclusive space where tradition meets trend, and where every Friday night feels like a special occasion.
@shabbatclub
Why It Matters
In an age of burnout, constant notifications, and digital everything, Shabbat offers something revolutionary: presence. For a generation craving meaning but allergic to dogma, these dinners offer ritual without rigidity, culture without cliché. Whether you’re there for the candle lighting or the cocktails, one thing is clear—Shabbat is back, baby. And it’s never looked cooler.
Pro Tip:
Reservations are often limited and sell out weeks in advance. Follow these venues and collectives on Instagram to get on the list—and bring your appetite, your open heart, and maybe a little glitter. Shabbat shalom.
Written by ORA staff