A few decades ago, the club was more of a thing. And not the kind where people rave and disco until six in the morning. No, these were “gentlemen’s clubs,” places where guys could separate themselves both from familial and professional venues and enjoy meaningful connection with other men. Anthony Bradley, a scholar at the Acton Institute, shared some of his thoughts and findings on the decline of these “third spaces” and how they’ve been detrimental towards men in particular. The rise of more egalitarian attitudes towards gender, which had the great net benefit of opening the door for more equal opportunity for women, inadvertently led to the decline of these male-centric institutions. Today, we see the result: many men are lacking the deep community and sense of brotherhood (fraternity) they need to flourish and grow. Bradley writes,

What’s needed today is a renaissance of the third space — a reinvention of environments where men can forge friendships and engage in activities that affirm their worth beyond their professional achievements. These spaces should cater not only to the elite but also to the middle and working classes, providing inclusive venues that reflect America’s diverse social fabric.

In creating these new spaces, it’s crucial to balance the lessons of the past with the realities of the present. Integrating the best practices from historical third spaces with inclusive, modern values can offer men a sense of community and identity that many find lacking. This effort will require thoughtful consideration of what men need to thrive in today’s society — recognition of their contributions not just as workers, but as integral members of their communities.

-Anthony Bradley, We All Need a Third Space.

When I lived near Chicago, I remember visiting a lounge right off the magnificent mile called the Chicago Athletic Association. It was rustic, paneled with wood, included blazing fireplaces, a long glass table for study, and a series of intricately designed windows overlooking the beauty of Millennium Park. Apparently the place used to be an actual club where people would convene, exercise, and just have some drinks together. Even in its current iteration, though, it felt incredibly special. It isn’t quite a restaurant, but neither is it a library or museum. People were sitting by the fireplaces or in the windowsills, eating macaroons and drinking coffee, and just talking. You could stay there for however long you liked, and didn’t even have to order anything to be welcome. Looking back, it was definitely my favorite place in all of Chicago (that I visited, at least). Third spaces are vital not just for men, but for people of all backgrounds to come together and have no motive except “hanging out.” Especially in the digital age when we live most of our lives behind screens, chatting each other over a long distance, the renewal of third spaces could heal some of the tension on a local level.