A TikToker recently brought up something that really hit home—so many people, especially Gen Z, are feeling down in the dumps because they don’t have a “third place.” You know, that go-to spot outside of work and home where you can just exist, unwind, and actually see people in real life. Think about it—TV culture has Central Perk, The Peach Pit, MacLaren’s Pub… even Cheers, where everybody knew your name! But where are those kinds of places now?
With remote work on the rise and fewer casual hangouts sticking around, (shout out Sports Plus, RIP) we’ve lost those in-between spaces where friendships happen naturally. We go from work (or logging off Zoom) straight home, and suddenly, we’re in a never-ending loop of isolation, relying on social media to feel connected. Scrolling TikTok alone in bed is not the same as grabbing drinks with friends at your favorite dive bar. So maybe it’s time to bring the “third place” back? Hit up that local coffee shop regularly, start a weekly game night, or join a group that meets in person. Because we all need a place to vent, laugh, and blow off steam—and no, the comment section of an Instagram reel doesn’t count.