this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2023
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Bars are notable for staying open late, but I'm not really familiar with alternatives that might operate similarly. I think many cafés (at least around my area) tend to close a few hours earlier by comparison, which would be my go-to for an alternative otherwise, so what other options are there?

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[–] thantik@lemmy.world 87 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

Find yourself a hackerspace. They're collective-toolsheds of people around your community who find joy in making things, learning skills, and generally interested in helping teach others the skills that they know.

My local hackerspace, for example - has a 4 axis HAAS CNC, multiple metal lathes, TIG, MIG, Stick welders, leatherworking supplies, access to 3D printers, laser cutters, and lots of woodworking tools. We also had basically every console in existence and others bring in their game libraries for everyone to play.

They are also generally filled with college students that are burning the midnight oil quite regularly but may otherwise be somewhat solitary in their activities.

These places also will kind of locally crowd-fund new machines for people to use. They can vary wildly from space-to-space, some places being filled with old guys who are mostly into woodworking, or filled with young web-devs with no interest in welding, etc. If you are lucky enough to have multiple around your area, visit them all to see which one fits you best.

Also, membership usually includes 24/7 access to the space via controlled entry (membership keys, etc)

[–] cynar@lemmy.world 34 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I help run a makerspace (hackerspace with a fluffier name). We've done many an all nighter. Often for no good reason, other than we got going on an interesting topic!

We are not all college aged though.

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[–] ALostInquirer@lemm.ee 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Is hackerspace the common term for these? I think I've also seen makerspace, or at least it sounds like there's overlap. I may have to do some more searching along these terms, but any time I've read of these it seems like they're more around larger cities or university towns/cities, which I don't happen to live in at the moment.

[–] thantik@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

Hackerspace is the original term, but some places call themselves Makerspaces instead because "hacker" has a negative connotation with the common populace. A hack, in the original sense is almost equivalent to 'redneck engineering'. It's a non-formal environment, probably doing non-standard things...thus a hack.

They are generally found around larger cities, universities, etc -- there's not enough population otherwise to keep them running as they're generally member-funded, and they still gotta pay things like rent.

Fablabs are similar, but corporate-owned and you're expected to use tools and GTFO; not stick around and be social.

[–] Spiracle@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago

Interesting.

For me, Makerspace always made more sense. You go there to make something. Hacking, while not negative, always has the meaning of modifying existing things to me, which does not always apply.

I hack together an item = I merge several items into one. I hack an item = I modify an item.
Not a native speaker, so I’m unsure if that is the correct usage.

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[–] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 53 points 1 year ago

Dance clubs, comedy shows, open mic, tabletop gaming clubs.

[–] devious@lemmy.world 35 points 1 year ago (3 children)

LAN parties (showing my age).

It depends where you live, but my go-to was 24 hr cafes and other food places, but there are also other activities like late night fishing, long drives (or rides), night photography, etc

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[–] EmoDuck@sh.itjust.works 35 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Crack houses are usually open 24/7 and while you can drink alcohol there, you're not expected to do so

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[–] TheYear2525@lemmy.world 35 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

There isn’t much drinking at swingers clubs. At least not in the public areas.

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[–] jet@hackertalks.com 31 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

24-hour coffee shops

24-hour diners, though they can get a little interesting at night. Do not underestimate a waffle House at 3:00 in the morning

24-hour libraries: these are rare

24-hour restaurants like burrito places.

Really depends what you want to do, do you want to just chill, or do you want to hang out with friends, or do you want to eat, there's a lot of options.

[–] mercurly 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Unfortunately 24 hour libraries, or even late night, are pretty much non-existent now because 1) parents use them as babysitters and 2) nothing against homeless people but librarians aren't equipped or staffed to take care of them appropriately.

And now with the book bans librarians are in short supply too, which means shorter hours and even fully closing on some weekdays.

Support your local library, everyone! See if there's a "friends of" group. It's a great way to connect with your community.

[–] Wahots@pawb.social 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is one of the unfortunate things. I never wanna hang around in libraries anymore. Decent number of people that look scary, and the bathroom stalls have been cut down so low to make sure people can be revived if they OD that I don't really feel comfortable using the restroom there anymore. Hardly any privacy.

I wanna solve the drug problem and housing problem so that our public spaces are chill again. When I was a kid, there were "cool" homeless people that all the students got to know as we all rode the same bus lines, basically just people down on their luck, but otherwise normal. Nowadays, it's only aggressive drug addicts who are angrily shouting because they can't afford the medicines that help keep them moored, made worse by fentanyl. Would really appreciate universal Healthcare and goverment funded public housing for normies and for people down on their luck or perhaps those getting a second or third chance at life.

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[–] GlendatheGayWitch@lib.lgbt 28 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Whataburger, Winco Foods, insomnia cookies, Denny's, and other diners come to mind. Since covid, hardly anything is open late anymore.

You might be able to find some other places local to you that we won't know aboht, if you satay up late and use the "open now" option on Google maps.

[–] Travalanche@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Why the fuck would you hang out at WinCo foods in the middle of the night. Just get a fucking graveyard shift job.

[–] theragu40@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

Lol my wife and I absolutely used to go to 24 hour grocery stores at like midnight on weekends back before we had kids. We both love cooking so it was fun to slowly peruse the aisles looking for random things we hadn't noticed before and coming up with ways to use them.

Lame I guess, but neither of us likes bars that much and we couldn't afford to go out that often anyway.

Different strokes for different folks, and all that :)

[–] GlendatheGayWitch@lib.lgbt 4 points 1 year ago

Night owls still need groceries and it's best to shop when you're more awake and alert. When I worked a graveyard job, Winco was a lifesaver. I thought if better to include more for those who might be interested.

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[–] WhoRoger@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Book clubs. When I was driving a night taxi, the latest customers on workdays were book club people.

Music clubs too possibly, especially jazz.

[–] Cracks_InTheWalls@sh.itjust.works 22 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It really depends where you are - some places have a lively late night culture, others not so much.

All night diners, 24 hour fast food places are really the only alternatives here (though you could count movie theatres with late showings, I guess).

But (unless you have personal reasons for not being around alcohol and drinkers), you can totally go to a bar with a vibe you like and just hang out drinking soda. Bonus points if that bar has something cool available aside from just booze (barcades, live music venues, etc.).

If you're not looking to specifically be around people, you could also just check out some green space outdoors, but keep your wits about you and use your judgement - some places are lovely to chill at 3:00 am, some would be if it wasn't for the sketchy folks shooting up.

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[–] Mighty@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Have you considered going to a bar and drinking whatever you want?

[–] Etterra@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago (3 children)

That's not an option for recovering alcoholic.

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[–] Boxtifer@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago (3 children)

So maybe a hot take, but being at a bar to not drink alcohol is not really that fun.

[–] emptyother@programming.dev 6 points 1 year ago

Its not really that fun when drunk either. Unless your drunk enough to have a very non-fun two next days.

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[–] ALostInquirer@lemm.ee 15 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I omitted my personal reasoning in the OP to avoid sidetracking the conversation, but since it's had some time to develop & you ask, I just personally don't like the smell of much alcohol or the erratic behavior it causes. The former I just find unpleasant, meanwhile the latter makes me uncomfortable & anxious on top of being annoyed by the scents.

As someone being sober, I'd feel like I'm half-expected to be responsible for some of those getting drunk around me (even if I'm not, really), and it just makes it hard for me to relax as I'd like.

I could, and I may end up caving and finding a bar with an atmosphere I don't mind, but I was hoping there might be some alternatives to spaces that I generally just find uncomfortable to be in. Also, and this just comes down to the area I'm in right now, many of the bars have a specific style/theme to them here that I don't care for whatsoever, at least from the little bit I've looked around.

[–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 year ago (4 children)

SPORTS
LOUD SPORTS
TVS ON EVERY SURFACE AT TOP VOLUME
TUNED TO MULTIPLE CHANNELS SO NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE THERE ARE ALWAYS COMMERCIALS ASSAULTING YOUR SENSES FROM AT LEAST TWO DIRECTIONS

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[–] Mighty@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

That's 100% understandable. I don't really "get" bars. So I don't go. I don't know what to do there. If I want to go out at night, I go to clubs, but they have some of the same issues with drunk people. Aside from that, I have hobbies to share with like-minded people. For example I go to an open couple dancing (Forró) event as often as I can.

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[–] pexavc@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Bowling Alleys (some), late night museum tours, late night roller skating.

They all have exposure to alcohol still. But can be enjoyed sober.

[–] Screwthehole@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago (2 children)

We have a sandwich shop that runs 24 hrs from Tuesday morning until Saturday night. I've picked up late night supper there and seen people playing cards, etc and just generally hanging out for long stretches.

When I was younger my buddies and I went to a 24 hr diner and played magic into the wee hrs, occasionally leaving only when the earliest breakfast crowd started to roll in.

[–] FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I hope you tipped well, lol. my tabletop RPG group may have been known to do this. the waitress kept us up on coffee, so yeah, we might have tipped for the time rather than the percentage of the bill. probably the only reason we never got kicked out.

[–] Nemo@midwest.social 8 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I had a group like this when I was the graveyard shift at Denny's. I'd get them three apps for eight people, slap down two liter jugs of coke, and they'd collectively leave me about twenty bucks for basically no work on my part. Nice kids, they were usually in there once a week and they always called ahead to make sure it was okay.

They played Vampire: Masquerade, which honestly seems like a depressing setting but they were into it.

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[–] jet@hackertalks.com 4 points 1 year ago

Plus a table of customers/witnesses through the small hours of the morning can't hurt, makes the staff feel a little bit better.

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[–] BombOmOm@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hanging out at your friend's place with some board-games or movies. (cheaper too!)

[–] vladmech@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Until you really get into board games too haha

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[–] CCatMan@lemmy.one 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Diners, if in the US is waffle house still a thing..?

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[–] psion1369@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

When I was younger, there were some places with a club atmosphere that didn't serve. For whatever reason, no booze. They became hang out spots for teens and the like. There was also a strong coffee shop culture, and one or two that stayed open just as late as bars. But in a post-covid world, many of those places shut down and new places like that close early.

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 10 points 1 year ago

Pool halls. I think some bowling venues. Less common, we have a cafe full of hundreds (maybe thousands) of board and card games. They’re only open until 11pm, but that’s still a place to socialize and meet up with people at night.

[–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

Several of my friends in my mid 20s didn't drink, so we usually would hang out at hookah bars. They are great, especially if they are allowed to serve food where you live. Most at least serve tea and other non-alcoholic beverages. I can give you a few pointers for first-timers if you are interested.

[–] popemichael@lemmy.sdf.org 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I used to belong to D&D groups that were open at a local comic store till like 4am.

We'd rent the space from the store at a good price, have pre-made characters for those that wanted to jump in.

If you don't have something like that local, I can imagine it wouldn't be too hard to start

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[–] Devi@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago

I live in an area with a lot of muslim people, as they don't drink they often go to Shisha bars or Dessert bars. There's also a few tea house type places, fancy dark late night places that do posh teas.

[–] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)
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[–] nednobbins@lemm.ee 7 points 1 year ago (3 children)
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[–] Jackolantern@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Probably coffee shops

[–] AnthoNightShift@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 year ago (4 children)

In Canada we call that Tim Hortons

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[–] TicaVerde@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

If it's to hang out with friends then those private karaoke rooms are a lot of fun

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