Earlier this month, I spent five days in Košice, Slovakia, where I participated in a summer institute hosted by the Technical University of Košice. The institute brought together 27 graduate students from across Europe to explore and develop solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary cities. This was my third year taking part in the Institute, whose theme this year was “Home: The X-Factor in Future Cities.” As part of my contribution, I delivered a presentation on third places—informal gathering spaces such as cafés, pubs, and community hubs—and their role as a “home away from home” in fostering social connection, belonging, and urban vitality.
As this was my third visit to Košice in three years, I was already somewhat familiar with the city, particularly its Old Town, which was just a short walk from my hotel. Dating back to the medieval period, the historic center serves as the heart of modern Košice, its pedestrian streets, cafés, restaurants, and public spaces creating a vibrant atmosphere that attracts both residents and visitors. In my previous visits, I have also discovered several excellent pubs in the Old Town, and re-visiting them is something to which I look forward.
One of my favorite places to enjoy a beer in Košice is Kembridž Pub—its name being the Slovakized version of “Cambridge.” Kembridž has grown to be one of the city’s most popular places since it opened in 1963. With its spacious beer garden and relaxed atmosphere, it serves as a gathering place for people from all walks of life, who come to share a beer, catch up with friends, and enjoy the unique sense of community that has defined the pub for generations.
Indeed, it is the diversity of its clientele that makes Kembridž such a fascinating place. As one writer observed, “Students, pensioners, artists, and intellectuals meet there. Over beer, they debate everything and nothing.” It is this eclectic mix of people and conversations that has helped transform Kembridž from a simple pub into one of Košice’s most enduring social institutions.
My friend and Košice resident, Peter Škripko, describes the Kembeidž as follows:
“Kembeidž is the only beer pub in Košice that has preserved the authentic spirit of what a traditional pub used to be. It’s a place where a university professor, a factory worker, and a highly successful lawyer earning a fortune can all sit together at the same table, sharing a beer and a conversation as equals.”
The site on which Kembridž stands today has a fascinating history. Originally, it was the location of a military swimming pool associated with the Košice Cadet Academy (Kadetka), a Hungarian military academy established in 1856 during the Austro-Hungarian era. Beginning in 1881, the pool was opened to the public and became a popular recreational spot for local residents. Even today, some older Košice residents still refer to the area as “úszoda”—the Hungarian word for “swimming pool”—because – because they remember spending their childhood summers there. During the 1950s, the military gradually lost interest in maintaining the facility, and by the end of the decade the swimming pool had disappeared.
In the years that followed, the site was transformed into a public green space and eventually evolved into the legendary Kembridž pub and beer garden, one of Košice’s most beloved social gathering places. It is an excellent example of what the urban sociologist, Ray Oldenburg, calls a “third place.”
In his book, The Great Good Place, Oldenburg identified several defining characteristics of third places—settings that exist beyond home (the first place) and work (the second place). According to Oldenburg, successful third places are informal gathering spaces where people can come and go freely, without obligations or social pressures. They are inclusive environments that welcome people from all backgrounds and encourage interaction among diverse groups.
Third places are typically located within or near residential neighborhoods, making them easily accessible, often by foot. They tend to be modest and unpretentious rather than overly formal or exclusive. A hallmark of these spaces is the presence of regular patrons who visit frequently and develop a strong sense of attachment and belonging.
Most importantly, third places foster social connection. Conversation serves as the primary activity, with friendly banter, humor, and lighthearted interaction creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. In this way, third places help build community, strengthen social ties, and provide a setting where people can connect with others outside of their home and workplace.
Others have described third places in terms that are similar to Oldenburg’s, though often with more vivid imagery. Michael Hickey refers to them as the “living room of society,” emphasizing their role as comfortable, welcoming spaces where people gather, relax, and build social connections. Leo Jeffres and his colleagues, meanwhile, describe third places as “centers of community,” highlighting their importance as venues where civic life, social interaction, and a sense of belonging are cultivated.
By either description, Kembridž clearly qualifies. It comes as close to meeting Oldenburg’s criteria for a third place as any establishment I have ever frequented. It is a welcoming, unpretentious gathering place where people from different walks of life come together, form and maintain friendships, and let conversation flow freely. More than simply a pub, Kembridž has long served as a social anchor for its patrons—a true living room of society and a genuine center of community. The afternoon I visited, the beer garden was quiet. A small group of older gentlemen sat together beneath the shade of the overhanging trees, escaping the scorching summer heat and lingering over their drinks. Nearby, a young couple relaxed with their baby, adding to the calm, unhurried atmosphere that made the space feel welcoming and distinctly local. Whether bustling with activity or enjoying a quieter moment, Kembridž is a wonderful place for people-watching, offering the perfect vantage point from which to observe the ebb and flow of everyday life.
Should your travels ever take you to Košice, don’t miss Kembridž. Settle in with a beer, stay awhile, and enjoy one of the city’s great pleasures: watching people come together to talk, laugh, and share each other’s company. In a world that often moves too fast, Kembridž remains a place where community still matters
