A dining club (UK) or eating club (US) is a social group, usually requiring membership (which may, or may not be available only to certain people), which meets for dinners and discussion on a regular basis.
For example, the Coningsby Club requires members to have been a part of either OUCA or CUCA, the Conservative Associations at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge respectively.
[1] Others may require applicants to pass an interview, or simply pay a membership fee.
Eating clubs date to the late 19th and early 20th centuries and are intended to allow college students to enjoy meals and pleasant discourse.
Some are able to arrange reciprocity with other private social clubs with more facilities besides dining such as overnight guest rooms and a gym.