Dog Parks, Libraries, And 13 Other “Third Spaces” That Are Completely Underutilized
People Are Sharing The Third Places That Still Exist That We Should Make More Use OfThere are so many cool “third places” out there!
If you’ve been feeling lonely because of the disappearance of many “Third Places” — aka public spaces where people can foster community outside of the home or work/school — you’re not alone.
That’s exactly why we asked the BuzzFeed Community to share their favorite current third places that everyone should know about! Here are some of their responses:
1.
“I know everyone says libraries, but I’m a library staff member and nobody says libraries enough. They’re not just piles of books — we have a ton of events every year, monthly displays/decorations, and we’re also a good way to find other third spaces! Teens, check out our teen room and ask one of the librarians if they know any safe 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. Also, a pro tip: If you don’t have a place to live or are in a bad situation, librarians always know a place you can go. They always have information.”
2.
“Antique/second-hand stores for me. There’s so much to browse, and the customers and people working there usually love to talk about neat old things whether or not you buy something.”
3.
“Public parks. It’s easy to forget how much value nature — not to mention varied sensory input, from near-silence to birdsong and the wind in the trees — can bring to our lives when we haven’t prioritized them for a while. A park is such a rich, diverse cross-section of humanity. Seeing how different we all are on the surface, while realizing most of us are there seeking the same deeper sense of satisfaction, can make me feel more at peace with myself and my role in the world.”
4.
“Here in the UK, it’s legal to play poker in bars, pubs, and social clubs for small amounts of money 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 enjoy cards but don’t want to spend huge amounts at casinos, which are often quite intimidating. We get 20-30 regular players a week, several different nationalities from all walks of life. Everyone’s there to have a good time, make new friends, and chat about anything and everything while we play.”
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, at least in my area, breweries tend to attract a community of regulars who care about quality beer and good company. It makes for a social atmosphere, more like a British neighborhood pub (a classic third place), than the normal American bar.”
7.
“Coffee shops are great places to meet new friends. We moved to a new medium-sized city upon the birth of our grandchild and started frequenting a cute, non-chain coffee shop in the neighborhood. It’s easy to strike up a conversation while standing in line or sharing a table. They even don’t require a purchase in order to use their facility. An additional plus is that it’s very close to the neighborhood branch of our excellent public library system, where they host many interesting programs for people of all ages.”
8.
“My local cat cafe!!! It’s a magnet for queer, trans introverts like myself.”
9.
“Garden plots for apartment renters.”
10.
“I know theoretically third places are supposed to be free, but I’ll settle for cheap. I love the bars where you can spend two hours playing trivia or board games buying one beer each, the venues that host free concerts with a $5 parking fee, etc. My friends and I hang out at a ton of these places and it’s very reasonable.”
11.
“I’m very plugged into my church. I lead the greeter team, help with the youth group, make meals for meetings, and attend deacon meetings. We’re very involved and I love it.”
12.
“It’s not usually for socializing, but if you live in a university town, especially if it’s a bigger school, a lot of their buildings will be open even if you’re not a student. I’ve spent countless hours camped out in empty, air-conditioned/heated classrooms just relaxing.”
13.
“Other than the library, my favorite third spaces are hotel lobbies (you can enter free and often shop, sit in an air-conditioned spot, and use their free WiFi and bathrooms. Plus, it’s safe.”
14.
“A pilates studio is where I meet new friends, get an incredible workout, and participate in fun, quick events on a regular basis. The community is strong and supportive!”
15.
“Barnes & Noble for their cafe, which is great for enjoying coffee and a pastry and for people watching. I always browse the bookshelves afterward.”
Are there any other third spaces you think more people should know about? Share them in the comments!
Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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