this is the third place

Phone-free and sober community events for connection cravers & curious seekers 💛

• Phone-free, sober gatherings in Melbourne • Small groups, low pressure • Focused on authentic conversations • We move around (Carlton, Brunswick, South Yarra) • Coming alone is expected & encouraged • Hoping to bring more to East Melbourne A “third place” refers to a third space outside of home and work where you can be fully yourself and feel a sense of belonging. And that’s what we hope all our events feel like for you. The more you come, the more comfortable you feel 🫶🏼 Most gatherings follow a similar flow: - Settle in + solo quiet time - Social time with games provided - Main activity rotates (sometimes none) - Gratitude circle to conclude #mindfulmeets Open to all adults of any gender, sex or background. 🌈 *Some photos and videos will be taken at events.

Recent events

What's coming up

Sat 28 November at 12:00am

Hosted by Ash Misso

Preston Market Food Tour🍴

Preston, Victoria

Meet the host

Ashley Misso

Founder of @thisisthethirdplace. Compulsive side-quester. · Melbourne

Hola! It’s Ash — I do a bit of everything, but my passion is connection. I have always been the first to reach out. When I moved to Australia a few years ago, I found it hard to make new friends and hated small talk, and I quickly realised that most people here are in the same boat, just too polite to say it. 🤭 I wanted to create a space where showing up alone isn't brave — it's expected. You don't need to know anyone, have anything to say, or be performative. The village doesn't build itself. I'm just obsessed with making it easier to start. 🪄

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