What’s a Third Place and Where to Find One in Rochester

Third places are trending right now. But what even is a third place? And can we find them in Rochester, MN?

What is a Third Place?

A third place is a concept used in sociology. The Wikipedia definition of a third place is:

the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and workplace ("second place").

Your third place is a place that you feel welcome, a place that you frequent, and a place where you go to be yourself and relax.

ALSO READ: The Best Local Coffee Shops in Rochester, MN

A book called 'The Great Good Place' says a third place needs to have these things:

• It's open and inviting.
• It's comfortable and informal.
• It's convenient (it's best if it's in your neighborhood).
• It's not pretentious.
• There are regulars, and usually someone who greets everyone.
• Conversation is the main activity.
• It's light-hearted and playful, and there's frequent laughter.

I love this! And without even knowing it, I've now realized that I think I've had my own third place for a while.

Third Places in Rochester, MN

Now that we understand what a third place is, where are they in Rochester?

There are plenty!

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Local coffee shop: Cafe Steam, Cafe Aqui, or Spyhouse Coffee, for example

Breweries: examples include Little Thistle or Thesis (I think Thesis is definitely my third place. We always chat with a couple of the beer-tenders, we love going there with friends, we always feel welcome, and we're regulars.)

Rochester Public Library: It's free to hang out there, it's inviting, and you can chat about books that you love.

Parks: There are so many parks around Rochester, and if you've got one you find yourself frequenting, that may be your third place.

Bowling alley: Bowlocity or Colonial Lanes

Local gyms: Part of me hesitates to add gyms to the list since the main activity in a gym is working out. But gyms are among places where people may feel right at home, and they know many people. So even though it's mainly to work out, there is still conversation happening along with a sense of community and belonging.

I'm sure I missed a ton, but really, your third place can be almost anywhere! As long as it's a place that makes you feel like you belong, that's the most important part.