Feeling lonely in a big city? You’re not alone.

Amid crowded streets and the constant noise of urban life, a surprising trend is quietly taking hold: the rise of paid social clubs.

Once a niche idea, these curated groups are becoming a go-to option for people seeking connection in a way that feels safe, structured and genuinely social. Some popular examples include Timeleft, which matches strangers for group dinners, Chirpy Plus, a membership-based community for people aged over 50, and EatWith, an app for social dining experiences.

Their growth has been rapid, as more people choose real-world interaction over the glow of a screen. But are paid social clubs really the new panacea for our loneliness problem?

Everything old is new again

Paid social clubs are not new. Private clubs have existed in Britain since the 16th century, built around shared interests and social support – albeit often exclusive and elitist.

From London’s historic gentlemen’s clubs such as White’s and Boodle’s, to humanitarian organisations such as Rotary International, people have long paid membership fees in exchange for status, networking and social connection.

More recently, online platforms such as MeetUp (launched in 2002 by US entrepreneur Scott Heiferman) have offered a way for people to find locals with similar interests. These kinds of online platforms are simply the latest version of an old idea that exists because people need people.

But they are different in some ways.

Historically, traditional social clubs have been run as not-for-profit community organisations (such as Rotary and surf clubs), or as shared........

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