Did we get third spaces that replaced the pubs though? The lack of third spaces is a real issue and I find myself longing for them. I don't see myself hanging out in the pub to socialize with strangers, but more third spaces and people using them more are one of the things that I think could greatly help the mental health epidemic and our social discourse in general.

Yeah there are plenty of third spaces. I go and play board games at my local cafe and library. Go on walks. Play sports (tennis, cycling). Have a book club. Drink way too much coffee.

Outside of the coffee houses, I’m not sure any of those are a third space. A third spade is somewhere people can allow their real selves to show. It’s also commonly identified as a place where you can have revolutions grow, or have the dissenting come together.

If the primary purpose of a space is a singular activity that overwhelms discussion of other things, then it’s not a third space.

Sporting associations can be third spaces, but that isn’t the case if people take the sport seriously.

Then it's also possible to have those places exist before shutting down the pubs.