In an era where smartphones have become the de facto tools for social interaction, a small but growing community in Europe has taken a bold step towards reclaiming face-to-face communication. The "Offline Club" is a series of phone-free gatherings that have popped up across major cities, from Amsterdam to London, and even as far as Australia.
The brainchild of three Dutchmen who began hosting impromptu off-grid weekends in 2021, the Offline Club has evolved into a franchise with 19 branches and thousands of participants. The events typically follow a simple format: an hour-long silence during which attendees are free to engage in whatever activities they please – reading, puzzles, coloring, or simply daydreaming – followed by an hour of phone-free conversation.
For some, like Max, a self-proclaimed "analog man" who only uses his smartphone for work and has never had social media accounts, the Offline Club is a chance to reconnect with the world around him. For others, like Sangeet Narayan, who works for Meta but feels addicted to his phone, it's an opportunity to break free from the grip of his devices.
As attendees gathered at the London branch I attended, they seemed engrossed in their activities – some reading, others working on puzzles or coloring books. The air was thick with anticipation, and as the silence fell, a collective sense of calm descended upon the room. Even those who had initially felt hesitant about giving up their screens began to relax, finding themselves absorbed in their own pursuits.
The experience was not without its challenges. I found myself reaching for my pocket twice, only to remember that I didn't have my phone with me. But as I focused on the people around me and the activities at hand, the urge to check my phone dissipated.
As we broke into conversation, the ease of interaction was striking. We chatted about everything from our experiences in social media-free zones to our concerns about the impact of smartphones on leisure time and peace. The discussions flowed easily, with a sense of camaraderie that felt almost primal.
Leaving the event, I couldn't help but feel invigorated – a phenomenon echoed by many of those who had attended. As we parted ways, our conversations continued long after we left the room, fueled by the promise of human connection in an increasingly digital age.
The Offline Club may be just a small movement, but its impact is palpable. In a world where every nanosecond counts and notifications dominate our lives, this group of rebels is fighting back with a simple yet profound message: there's value in silence, and in the quiet moments that lie between the screens.
The brainchild of three Dutchmen who began hosting impromptu off-grid weekends in 2021, the Offline Club has evolved into a franchise with 19 branches and thousands of participants. The events typically follow a simple format: an hour-long silence during which attendees are free to engage in whatever activities they please – reading, puzzles, coloring, or simply daydreaming – followed by an hour of phone-free conversation.
For some, like Max, a self-proclaimed "analog man" who only uses his smartphone for work and has never had social media accounts, the Offline Club is a chance to reconnect with the world around him. For others, like Sangeet Narayan, who works for Meta but feels addicted to his phone, it's an opportunity to break free from the grip of his devices.
As attendees gathered at the London branch I attended, they seemed engrossed in their activities – some reading, others working on puzzles or coloring books. The air was thick with anticipation, and as the silence fell, a collective sense of calm descended upon the room. Even those who had initially felt hesitant about giving up their screens began to relax, finding themselves absorbed in their own pursuits.
The experience was not without its challenges. I found myself reaching for my pocket twice, only to remember that I didn't have my phone with me. But as I focused on the people around me and the activities at hand, the urge to check my phone dissipated.
As we broke into conversation, the ease of interaction was striking. We chatted about everything from our experiences in social media-free zones to our concerns about the impact of smartphones on leisure time and peace. The discussions flowed easily, with a sense of camaraderie that felt almost primal.
Leaving the event, I couldn't help but feel invigorated – a phenomenon echoed by many of those who had attended. As we parted ways, our conversations continued long after we left the room, fueled by the promise of human connection in an increasingly digital age.
The Offline Club may be just a small movement, but its impact is palpable. In a world where every nanosecond counts and notifications dominate our lives, this group of rebels is fighting back with a simple yet profound message: there's value in silence, and in the quiet moments that lie between the screens.
. I mean, have you ever noticed how weird it feels when you're scrolling through your feeds before bed? Your brain is all like "wind down" but your phone is all "nope, let's keep going". It's crazy how addicted we are to our screens. I've tried some of these offline gatherings and it's amazing how much more present you feel when you're not constantly checking your notifications. Plus, it's so cool that people from different walks of life can just hang out and chat without the distraction of their phones. The Offline Club might be small, but it's a great reminder that there's value in taking a step back and enjoying the moment (literally 
).
. It was nice to just be present with people and enjoy each other's company 
. Now, everyone's so busy staring at their screens, it's like they're missing out on half the fun 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, technology's great and all, but there's something special about connecting with humans face-to-face 
. The Offline Club seems to be tapping into that vibe, and I'm excited to see where this movement takes off 
. It's time to unplug and focus on what really matters – human connection 
i mean they r not just some hippie gatherings but actually ppl who r makin a difference ! 
its like we r losin ourselves in social media and these guys r like "hey, remember ur own face!!" 
max is literally my spirit animal he's all about analog life and i'm over here low-key envious 
and its not just 4 the phone-free stuff its like they re creating spaces 4 real connections 2 happen 4 free 
, it was so surreal not having my phone out for an hour, but it's actually kinda nice to just chill without the constant buzzing 
. It made me realize how much I'm glued to my screen even when I'm trying to relax or hang out with friends. The Offline Club is like a breath of fresh air, you know? 
Europe is actually running out of water, like, seriously bad news. They've got droughts happening all over the continent and it's only getting worse. The Offline Club might be a cool idea but what's the point if our planet can't even survive? 
