Find your third place in Indy

Third places are public, informal gathering spaces that you frequent in your community. We’re here to get your recommendations and help others find their third place.

Overhead view of bouldering gym

North Mass Boulder has created a community by hosting events that are open to everyone.

Photo by Sydney W. via Yelp

Do you have a third place in Indy? Take a moment to reflect.

Besides your home (first space) and workplace (second space), where do you go throughout the week? Whose faces do you see, and who do you talk to when you go there? Is the vibe at this space easy, non-pressuring, and potentially playful? Do you look forward to going and feel welcome?

Ray Oldenburg, a sociologist who wrote about third places in his book, “The Great Good Place,” shares that third places — public, informal gathering spaces that you frequent in your community like coffee shops, parks, libraries, churches, breweries, bookstores, salons, etc. — are important for many reasons, but particularly for promoting social vitality + a sense of community.

Sound familiar? If you have a third place, we’d love for you to share it with us so we can pass along recommendations and help others find their third place in the Circle City.

More from INDYtoday
Keep local love growing this spring with native plants that will support pollinators, save water, and make your yard or garden look beautiful.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting women in Indianapolis making history through their work happening right now.
Chase the rainbow at these St. Patrick’s Day events around the Circle City.
Did you know Indianapolis used to have its own gossip newspaper, ala Lady Whistledown from “Bridgerton?” Here’s a brief history of “The Locomotive.”
Dining in Indy is always a fresh experience with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
We stumbled upon records of a long-lost bookstore and publishing company with the name of W.K. Stewart that was owned by a relative of Kurt Vonnegut. Here’s everything we know — and what we’re still trying to find out.
Enjoy dinner and a show when you visit one of these local hibachi restaurants.
Help conserve water and lower the cost of your bills by building an eco-friendly rainwater collection system in your backyard.
Avril Lavigne? Check. Keith Urban? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.