guide
MingleSpaces are connection spots—tables or areas in places like coffee shops, breweries, parks, universities, and festivals—where people are invited to say hi to someone they haven’t met yet. These spaces offer a relaxed way to meet someone new and start a friendly conversation—no planning, pressure, or RSVP required.
When you see a MingleSpace sign, simply approach the area. You can scan the QR code to start with a prompt, or just introduce yourself and say hi.
Simple tips to make the most of your experience:
Say hi to someone you haven’t met yet—it’s all about making connections.
Use the conversation prompts to get started, or ask your own questions.
Let the conversation flow naturally—no script required.
Stay as long as you're enjoying the conversation, or move on when you're ready.
Welcome new arrivals and keep things friendly.
MingleSpaces are designed for spontaneous interactions and casual socializing. No agenda needed—just sit down and enjoy a relaxed chat. Whether you pick one conversation prompt or ten, a minglespace might lead to a quick five-minute chat—or spark a spontaneous group conversation.
Use our prompts to start a conversation, or let the chat flow naturally. The prompts are designed to spark interesting and engaging conversations. We currently offer four standard categories appropriate for any interaction, along with event specific and special interest topics:
Start Talking: Simple, engaging questions (e.g., What’s a movie or TV show you’ve enjoyed recently?)
What If?: Imaginative questions to spark creativity (e.g., What’s a fun idea you’ve always dreamed of seeing happen?)
Community Connections: Questions that inspire ideas and activities within your neighborhood (e.g., If your neighborhood could organize a big event, what would it be?)
What Matters to You: Personal questions to learn more about each other (e.g., What’s something you’ve always wanted to achieve?)
Event, conference, and convention conversations: have fun conversations at the event or conference you are at discussing in context themes
For longer gatherings or events, we have an activities page.
MingleSpaces are designed for people who want to meet new people and start conversations. Here are a few social tips to make the experience enjoyable for everyone:
Be mindful of others. If someone joins your conversation, make space for them to get involved.
Keep it friendly and easygoing. Whether you’re talking to one person or a group, the goal is to have a relaxed, enjoyable conversation. Be yourself.
Use your judgment. If you’re deep into a conversation, pause and invite others to join. There’s no pressure—just keep it casual and enjoyable for everyone.
MingleSpaces are designed to make connecting with others easy and low-pressure. Start with a friendly "hi," or use one of the conversation prompts to break the ice. If you ever feel uncomfortable or want to disengage, that’s perfectly okay—it’s important to take care of yourself. The goal is to make meeting new people feel natural and relaxed, with no pressure.
MingleSpaces are connection spots—tables or areas in places like coffee shops, breweries, parks, universities, and festivals—where people are invited to say hi to someone they haven’t met yet. Signs and conversation prompts make it easy to spark a chat and create approachable moments of social connection.
A MingleSpace is a table or area at your place where people are invited to say hi to someone they haven’t met yet. All you need to do is set up one of our MingleSpace signs at a table, bar, or other seating area. The sign includes a QR code linking to conversation prompts and activities that make it easy for guests to start chatting. Once the sign is up, the MingleSpace runs on its own—no staffing or moderation required. Social media participation can help increase awareness. You’ll receive tips and sample posts when you join.
We partner with businesses, organizations, and institutions to create minglespaces. Examples of places where MingleSpaces can work well include the following:
Gathering Spots with Food & Drink
Coffee Shops & Cafés
Breweries, Bars & Beer Gardens
Indoor Public Markets & Market Halls
Coffee Shops & Cafés
Food Halls & Food Courts (in malls, corporate campuses, office buildings)
Campuses
Universities & College Campuses (in university student centers, cafeterias, or common areas)
Public Places & Community Organizations
Public Parks, City Centers & Outdoor Common Areas
Community Centers & Libraries
Neighborhood Associations
Other Nonprofit Organizations (like YMCAs)
Community Gatherings & Festivals
Farmers Markets
County Fairs
Street Festivals
Music Festivals
Cultural & Creative Spaces
Museums, Cultural Centers, Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (in a lobby or café area with seating)
Performing Arts Venues (during intermissions or in lobbies)
Conferences & Conventions
Professional Conferences
Performing Arts Venues (during intermissions or in lobbies)
Trade Shows
Industry Conventions
Academic Conferences
Networking Events
Fitness & Wellness
Gyms, Fitness Centers & Wellness Clubs (in a central spot for casual conversation)
Entertainment & Leisure Venues
Music Venues & Concert Halls (by concession or lobby areas)
Movie Theatres (by concession or lobby areas)
Sports Arenas & Entertainment Venues
Gaming Venues & Arcades
Other Event Spaces (including those used for weddings, conferences, or community events)
Travel & Transit Spaces
Hotels & Lodges (including lobbies and lounges)
Airports, Train Stations & Transit Hubs (in terminal waiting areas, near gates, or in train dining cars)
Residential & Group Living Spaces
Group Living Complexes & Residential Buildings (especially those with community rooms)
1 Sign up Create your free member account from the Create page (or the login bar). Membership unlocks all sign files and resources—no application needed.
2 Download the signs Find Signs & Resources in the member menu and grab the print-ready PDFs.
3 Set up your MingleSpace Place the main Minglespace sign at a high-visibility spot—a central table, bar top, or other obvious gathering point.
4 Boost visibility (optional but recommended) Add supporting pieces:
Invitational sign on the counter or register
Directional poster near entrances or hallways
These extra cues drive awareness and encourage guests to join the conversation.
5 Complete your directory profile Once your signs are up, finish (or update) the Directory form from the member menu to help visitors find you and grow the network.
That’s it—five steps and you’re live.
A MingleSpace can make your place feel more engaging by giving people a clear, low-pressure way to start conversations. It creates a more welcoming atmosphere that encourages longer visits and return guests.
You’ll also benefit from increased visibility:
Your MingleSpace is featured in our public directory and may be included in our newsletter
Guests can share their experience and tag your place directly from our prompts and activity pages
This generates authentic engagement and content that helps grow your presence organically
Over time, your location may become more closely associated with connection and community as guests recognize it as a place where meaningful interactions can happen naturally.
Ongoing Places
These places offer MingleSpaces on a daily or consistent basis, becoming an integrated part of their regular operations. Whether it's a coffee shop, brewery, airport, or library, the MingleSpace encourages ongoing connections and spontaneous conversations throughout the day. These places may also hold specific events featuring MingleSpace signs, but their primary focus is on regular, everyday availability.
Event-Based Places
These places create MingleSpaces temporarily for events such as festivals, farmers markets, or conventions. It is set up as part of the event, with signage like A-frames, banners, or table signs to designate the area for social engagement.
Participation is currently free. You only cover printing costs. Download our sign files at no charge and send to your local printer or order from an online sign maker. Once you sign up, we have resources and ideas for sign production.
Frequently asked questions
Permanent MingleSpace (Directory Listing) Who sets it up? The place itself (café, brewery, library…). When active? Whenever the place is open (ideally) Place staff host present? Optional.
Event-Based MingleSpace (also in Directory) Who? Event organizer (farmers market, festival). Active? Only during event hours. Place staff host? Optional.
Volunteer Pop-Up Chat (Calendar only) Who? Any individual supporter. Active? One hour or more while the host is present. Volunteer host? Required.
