Outsiders Social Club
Part club, part co-work, part coffee– a full realization of a third space for community.
Photos by Meredith Schneider
I am a big fan of third spaces and co-working setups. Even if you aren’t a freelancer or gig worker like I am, it is so nice to have physical areas dedicated to group collaboration, or even just solo inspiration. Working remotely or from home can take its toll on you, and really compartmentalize both your working and social experiences. I even find myself getting lonely sometimes, though my work is best done with too much distraction.
That’s why co-working spaces really hold a special place in my heart. While the industry was becoming oversaturated with multi-millionaire overlords buying up big spaces and converting them on a whim right before the pandemic, the over-commodification of the experience seems to have become a little more limited, thankfully. Heart-centered entrepreneurs and small business owners are beginning to see the necessity in a co-working business model. And we – the creatives and the remote workers – are clearly benefitting from it.
Enter: Outsiders Social Club. Tucked mid-block on Westport Road between Pennsylvania and Main, this narrow storefront is much more than it seems. Pop just inside to caffeinate with one of their incredible beverages or try one of their limited menu items and enjoy the ambiance of the front window. If you want access to the rest of the space, daily working passes and monthly memberships are available.
Once you step into the members’ area, an injection of colorful art and moody green paint continues through the space, contrasting with light wood and white brick in a very beautiful and seemingly organic way. The art is all attributed with QR codes and information about if the pieces are on sale – there are even QR codes dedicated to the muralists, a fun and collaborative detail that is hard to miss.
Depending on where you set up in the space, there are tables to work at, comfortable little nooks to socialize in or commit team time to, and even some couches and ambient lighting. Since the space is used for co-working, workshops, open mic nights, and other unique member events, it has been designed with community in mind.
The Amsterdam Sunrise matcha, which tasted exactly like an orange dreamsicle, was bright and flavorful. It is served in a lowball glass for a touch of class. Their cafe is also offering a pistachio drink called the Sahara Bloom, a mocha called La Boca, and a delicious sounding blackcurrant, toffee and vanilla flavor with the SoHo. They also serve classic hot chocolates, chais, cold brew, cappuccinos, and Americanos alongside tea refreshers and delicious cafe beverages.
If you stay for their “after hours” timeframe, you will have your choice of five different signature cocktails, five mocktails, wines, and a couple of classic beverages. They even serve tapas, which I indulged in. I tried two of their three crostini flavors – a bruschetta and a ricotta and jam toast, piled high with fresh ingredients.
While enjoying my time in Outsider Social Club, I heard one of managers speaking with a guest about their work with Operation Breakthrough, who is their nonprofit partner. They are currently hosting students during the week, teaching them about how to run and market a business, among other things. Watching the staff interact with the students was actually really exciting – they will be learning so many practical and real-life applicable skills that have the potential to give them a leg up with their careers.
