India, Aug. 14 -- It has all the elements of a stylish indie movie. The setting: Someone's living room. The characters: Cool strangers gathering for dinner. The food: Exotic, multi-course, served over a leisurely two-three hours. Conversations crackle and pop around a candle-lit table. There's an air of exclusivity that makes both the host and the diners feel like they're partaking in a special secret.

Only, it's not so secret now. Supper clubs have been popping up in every big city. But before you quit your job and add chef to your bio, see what works and what doesn't, and how clubs in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi have cracked the code.

Build the hype. Before setting up, pre-empt the response, says Anurag Arora, founder of the two-year...