Kiddush club
"Kiddush Club" is a slang term applied to an informal group of Jewish adults who congregate after Shabbat (Sabbath) prayer services to make kiddush over wine or liquor, and socialize. Traditionally it has been a male-bonding experience, especially in the Orthodox and Conservative Jewish communities.
In some communities, men leave the synagogue's sanctuary early, during the Haftorah reading or the sermon, for this purpose, and this - combined with the amount of drinking in some communities - has led to criticism. The practice was criticized by the Orthodox Union (OU) in December 2004, when the OU called for the elimination of such practices. OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb criticized "Kiddush Clubs" for detracting from the honor of the synagogue, promoting gossip (lashon hara), and leading participants to return to services in a state of intoxication (which are violations of Jewish Law), reducing decorum, and enabling the problem of substance abuse.
To avoid leaving synagogue prematurely, some Kiddush Clubs now congregate in members' homes after services have concluded. Kiddush Clubs can, in some cases, be selective in who they accepts as members. Qualities that are looked upon favorably that can lead to an invitation a club can include: being able to "handle your alcohol," skills in giving a divrei Torah, sociability, and ability to purchase alcohol and other supplies. Members may take turns hosting the club, as well as taking turns "sponsoring" the bottle(s) imbibed.