I feel like a shill so forgive me*, but I talk about third place theory a lot and it’s the driving force behind Elm City Games. Community vibes, BYO, and games are inherently social; I think we do a pretty good job of it.

(*I’m only even responding myself cause I’m such a nerd I got excited to talk about third place theory…)

Shoot your shot, king.

The place you are looking for is Gather in East Rock. It's exactly what you describe.

Yeah gather is the spot! Also I love East Rock Brewing company. There’s no comfy couches but it’s such a laid back place.

Blue state coffee is great as well

This is what I was going to recommend anyway.

Musical Intervention good for musicians. Never Ending Books or Book Trader for book lovers. Gather for hipsters. +1 to Elm City Games. Owl Shop if you smoke. Stella Blues for music, a pool table, and a sofa (except they often have a small cover fee and it could be loud).

I'd suggest church, but I've never been.

i cant tell if this is sarcasm but in the event it isn’t, blue state coffee is no more.

https://www.ctinsider.com/business/article/Blue-State-Coffee-permanently-closes-cafes-17594963.php

Common Grounds is great tho! They already opened in blue States old Wall St spot, and are planning to open in their old York St spot soon!

Tangential comment, but my parents often complain that I will have no community because my generation doesn’t go to church every Sunday. A place you regularly see people, even if you don’t talk to them, you recognize them at the grocery store and say hi. I just can’t get down with the Catholic church / most religions, but I kind of agree with them.

The bar

The Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op! Amazing community and does so much more than bikes 💖

I’m a big fan of The Graduate on Chapel

Ehhh I'm at church most Sundays and because I'm sort of a minority Christian (Orthodox), there aren't a lot of us and I have to go to a church about 1/2 hour away. I don't see anyone in my 'hood, sadly.

So, it's not a given, if that helps.

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You guys are the example I bring up every time I talk to folks about third places. Y’all have been doing a great job of building inclusive spaces for years now. Can’t wait to start hanging out again once I start going into the city for work a couple days a week.

Yeah, OP brought up some good places to hang out but most of them don’t necessarily meet the “place to develop community without having to spend money” definition of third places.

It’s a little more like bowling leagues, civil organizations, and churches than what a bar typically provides.