Thank you for clarifying that third places are more social than they are physical. A park or bar in itself does not constitute a third place without a community; it becomes a third place by nature of the social environment that people make.
The one critique of these social clubs that I'm still wrestling with is that by being member-based, they're (monetarily) exclusive. That said, any third place community is "exclusive" or at least curated by nature of their location (a bar) or activity (tai chi).
Tbh I’m all for third spaces having exclusivity. There needs to be some form of shared identity for the community to stick. I think a better question might be whether or not the thing you’re excluding people on actually builds a community (ie I think everyone paying a membership fee is not as great/sticky a way to form community as, say, everyone being creative or doing the same sport or having the same religion)
Really enjoyed the topic and examples you mentioned, Patrick! HK sounds like such a fascinating petri dish for new communities. Would be interesting to do a comparative study between HK vs London vs New York vs other big cities!
Thanks Philip! Honestly every city can be interesting if you just know where to look hahah there's so much discourse about hk being "dead" but we still find a way to write somewhat interesting things!
I think all the people on strategy internet people would love that article
These groups sound fantastic, but tbh it seems like commercialization of the third space. To me, the most essential third spaces are not places where I am guaranteed to meet new people, but places I can go to meet the people I already know - preferably without the need to spend money.
No place is going to build community for you. But we do need places for our community to exist.
I will be chewing on this concept for a bit! As someone with a strong affinity for place and meaning I initially think that physical space is significant for a third place but when I think deeper on my strongest community groups they all fall in this traveling third space concept!
Enjoyed article. In America we have, “small groups”, usually with a church” but are initiated by an event, like “First Friday’s”, for singles, or a hike, concert, or speaker, and can meet the same or new ppl in different settings. To me, it feels like what you’re talking about, community!
I was flabbergasted, gobsmacked, fascinated and disturbed with this article. Being relatively open minded, I cannot imagine how hard it must be for certain groups in this generation to enjoy life and the people around them…globally. How far have we come and how much of humanity have we lost within such a short period of time.
Do what you do within your career/work situation and outside of that environment…explore the world around you. Domestically and globally if possible. Don’t segregate yourself into “groups”. Slow down and “smell the roses”…so to speak. It’s a more interesting world than this article creates.
I'm surprised that public libraries weren't among the top listed third spaces. They are its very definition, have been promoting themselves for decades specifically as "third spaces".
Recently moved to a new country and city and found a pop up event that catered to almost all of my interests and was able to meet so many cool people. I’ve been seeing things like this more and more frequently and the marketing strategy used also sets the tone for the aesthetic. So in love with the concept of traveling third spaces.
What an interesting article and something that I think so much about! I would be interested to know how you would keep the ‘traveling third spaces’ events free of cost as I wonder if the fact that the events are inexpensive contributes most to people showing up, in addition to shared interests and identity etc.? Thanks for a great read!
Hey Patrick, I loved the stories around Tova and Critical Mass and the idea of "travelling third spaces". I had the idea about founding a professional members club for some time but the upfront costs were prohibitive - so this concept really re-ignited the idea for me! Thanks!
Thank you for clarifying that third places are more social than they are physical. A park or bar in itself does not constitute a third place without a community; it becomes a third place by nature of the social environment that people make.
The one critique of these social clubs that I'm still wrestling with is that by being member-based, they're (monetarily) exclusive. That said, any third place community is "exclusive" or at least curated by nature of their location (a bar) or activity (tai chi).
Hey Billy thanks for the comment and great point
Tbh I’m all for third spaces having exclusivity. There needs to be some form of shared identity for the community to stick. I think a better question might be whether or not the thing you’re excluding people on actually builds a community (ie I think everyone paying a membership fee is not as great/sticky a way to form community as, say, everyone being creative or doing the same sport or having the same religion)
Really enjoyed the topic and examples you mentioned, Patrick! HK sounds like such a fascinating petri dish for new communities. Would be interesting to do a comparative study between HK vs London vs New York vs other big cities!
Thanks Philip! Honestly every city can be interesting if you just know where to look hahah there's so much discourse about hk being "dead" but we still find a way to write somewhat interesting things!
I think all the people on strategy internet people would love that article
I live in HK and had no idea about this. Very cool collectives.
You should come by a critical mass event!
Such an interesting pov! I didn't realise these communities could work as third spaces. Love the idea of "traveling third spaces". (Hi from France)
Hello to you in France Chloe! Glad the piece resonated with you
So lovely to be part of this extended conversation Patrick, thank you for featuring us and your words on CM as a community member yourself :)
Oh shush super super duper grateful for you Ivana
These groups sound fantastic, but tbh it seems like commercialization of the third space. To me, the most essential third spaces are not places where I am guaranteed to meet new people, but places I can go to meet the people I already know - preferably without the need to spend money.
No place is going to build community for you. But we do need places for our community to exist.
I will be chewing on this concept for a bit! As someone with a strong affinity for place and meaning I initially think that physical space is significant for a third place but when I think deeper on my strongest community groups they all fall in this traveling third space concept!
Enjoyed article. In America we have, “small groups”, usually with a church” but are initiated by an event, like “First Friday’s”, for singles, or a hike, concert, or speaker, and can meet the same or new ppl in different settings. To me, it feels like what you’re talking about, community!
I was flabbergasted, gobsmacked, fascinated and disturbed with this article. Being relatively open minded, I cannot imagine how hard it must be for certain groups in this generation to enjoy life and the people around them…globally. How far have we come and how much of humanity have we lost within such a short period of time.
Do what you do within your career/work situation and outside of that environment…explore the world around you. Domestically and globally if possible. Don’t segregate yourself into “groups”. Slow down and “smell the roses”…so to speak. It’s a more interesting world than this article creates.
And create a good work/life balance. IMHO. 😉
'Artists and Creatives' are literally the worst, most destructive human beings to socialize with in 2025.
All I hear is Shatner at the Star Trek convention telling folks to "get a life people"
👋Does anyone know if we have a traveling third place in Miami? If so , I’d love to be part of it !
I'm surprised that public libraries weren't among the top listed third spaces. They are its very definition, have been promoting themselves for decades specifically as "third spaces".
Recently moved to a new country and city and found a pop up event that catered to almost all of my interests and was able to meet so many cool people. I’ve been seeing things like this more and more frequently and the marketing strategy used also sets the tone for the aesthetic. So in love with the concept of traveling third spaces.
It sounds like this is everything g communities need to grow "connection" spaces! 💖
What an interesting article and something that I think so much about! I would be interested to know how you would keep the ‘traveling third spaces’ events free of cost as I wonder if the fact that the events are inexpensive contributes most to people showing up, in addition to shared interests and identity etc.? Thanks for a great read!
Hey Patrick, I loved the stories around Tova and Critical Mass and the idea of "travelling third spaces". I had the idea about founding a professional members club for some time but the upfront costs were prohibitive - so this concept really re-ignited the idea for me! Thanks!