… hello Bright Nights Social!
When I first launched Third Place Bar almost exactly three years ago, I wasn’t even one month sober yet, but the idea of an alcohol-free bar had been on my mind for a long time.
Why were there so few “third places” in New York City that stayed open late and didn’t revolve around drinking? So I set out to create one, starting with pop-up events to test out the concept, understand the space better, and build up a community.
Three years, nearly 100 events, and thousands of guests later, Third Place Bar has grown into many things… just not an actual brick & mortar bar. The name stayed, but it started to feel misaligned with what I was actually doing: hosting pop-up events, exploring sober-friendly nightlife in NYC, and sharing the things I’ve learned along the way.
So… I’ve changed the name. That’s all. After two weeks of overthinking, hours of meetings, and endless text messages, I landed on Bright Nights Social. To me, the name captures the joy of going out, finding community, and being fully present for it.
It’s also a nod to:
- My obsession with disco balls.
- Bright Lights, Big City – I randomly found the book on the street in NYC last year and absolutely love it.
- New York City, of course!
And on that note… stay bright! ✨
Sam Bail 
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