If you feel lonely because of the disappearance of many “third places” – public spaces where people can socialize outside of home or work/school – you are not alone.
That’s why we asked the BuzzFeed community to tell us their current favorite third places that everyone should know about! Here are some of their answers:
1.“I know everyone says libraries, but I work at a library and no one says libraries often enough. It’s not just book stacks – we have tons of events each year, monthly displays/decorations, and we’re also a great way to find other third spaces! Teens, stop by our teen space and ask one of the librarians if they know of any safe and fun places to hang out after school! Adults, do the same! We have book clubs, a teen/new adult writing group, and a DnD club. Plus, it’s warm and safe. And one more pro tip: if you have nowhere to stay or are in a bad situation, the librarians always know where to go. They always have information.”
2.“For me, antique/second hand shops are the place to be. There is so much to browse and the customers and people who work there are usually happy to chat about nice old things, whether you buy something or not.”
3.“Public parks. It’s easy to forget how valuable nature—not to mention the variety of sensory experiences, from silence to birdsong to the wind in the trees—can be to our lives if we haven’t prioritized it for a while. A park is such a rich, diverse cross-section of humanity. Seeing how different we all are on the surface, while also recognizing that most of us are there seeking the same deeper sense of contentment, can help me feel more at peace with myself and my role in the world.”
4.“Here in the UK it is legal to play poker for small amounts in bars, pubs and clubs as long as players are registered as part of a regular league. Our local league meets every Tuesday in a small pub for a weekly tournament. It’s a wonderful, relaxed and friendly atmosphere for people who like to play cards but don’t want to spend huge sums in casinos, which are often quite intimidating. We have 20 to 30 regular players a week, various nationalities from all walks of life. Everyone is there to have fun, make new friends and chat about anything and everything while playing.”
5.“The dog park! Both you and your dog get to meet new friends. Plus, being outside can really improve your mood.”
6.“I find that breweries, at least in my area, tend to attract a community of regulars who value quality beer and good company. It creates a convivial atmosphere, more like a British neighborhood pub (a classic third place) than a regular American bar.”
7.“Cafes are great places to meet new friends. When our grandchild was born, we moved to a new mid-sized city and started frequenting a nice, non-chain neighborhood cafe. It’s easy to strike up a conversation while waiting in line or sharing a table. They don’t even require a purchase to use their facility. Another plus is that it’s very close to the neighborhood branch of our excellent public library system, which has many interesting programs for people of all ages.”
8.“My local cat cafe!!! It’s a magnet for queer, trans introverts like me.”
9.“Garden plots for apartment tenants.”
10.“I know that third places should theoretically be free, but I’ll settle for cheap. I love the bars that let you play trivia or board games for two hours and everyone buys a beer, the venues that host free concerts with a $5 parking fee, etc. My friends and I hang out at a lot of these places and it’s very inexpensive.”
11.“I am very involved in my church. I lead the reception team, help with the youth group, prepare meals for meetings, and attend deacon meetings. We are very involved and I love it.”
12.“It’s not usually about socializing, but when you live in a college town, especially if it’s a larger college, many of their buildings are open to non-students. I’ve spent countless hours camping out in empty, air-conditioned/heated classrooms and just relaxing.”
13.“Aside from the library, hotel lobbies are my favorite third rooms (you get free entry and can often shop there, sit in an air-conditioned place, and use the free WiFi and bathrooms. Plus, it’s safe.”
14.“At a Pilates studio, I meet new friends, get an incredible workout, and regularly participate in fun, short events. The community is strong and supportive!”
15.“Barnes & Noble because of the cafe, which is a great place to enjoy coffee and pastries and people watch. Afterwards, I always browse the bookshelves.”
Are there any other third spaces you think more people should know about? Share them in the comments!
Some posts have been edited for length and/or clarity.