Popular new Boston spot wants you to come hang out -- without the pressure

BOSTON — There’s a new place in town which just wants people to come and hang out.

It’s called Hall Boston, and it’s designed to give people a place to get together without a lot of pressure.

Kristina Liu lives near the Gloucester Street home of Hall Boston. She said she likes the concept because it gets harder to meet people after leaving college.

“When you get into the workforce, you meet people you work with, but it’s actually hard to meet people who are not in your profession," she said.

Hall Boston offers different levels of membership.

A person can use the 2,500-square foot site for work and have access to wi-fi and specialty drinks. It is also possible to choose a plan which includes 5 gourmet meals a week.

Albert Nichols, a Tufts University graduate, gave up a career in computer science to start Hall Boston.

“Our unifying theme is to give people a place where they can focus on themselves," he said. "Your job isn't breathing down your neck. The dirty dishes in the sink aren't stressing you out.”

The site is also helping millennials make connections that are real, not virtual.

Nichols said that it’s important because young people aren’t staying in the same jobs for long periods of time.

Previously a worker could "build a community, make a lot friends, maybe even found their spouse, and that doesn't happen much anymore," Nichols said.
    
Bo Redpath comes to Hall Boston for dinner most nights after finishing work in the Back Bay.

He isn’t surprised he sees a lot of people like himself there.

“They don’t have much time to go shopping. They don’t have much time to cook, and us millennials, we are not very good at cooking anyway," Redpath said.

“Coming here has been awesome, meeting people from all walks of life, people doing all kinds of different things, people at different stages of life," Liu said. "And, it’s really comfortable here. I come here all the time in my gym clothes.”

Hall Boston is open to anyone.

Membership ranges from $39-$69 a week, and it's currently offering a free trial program.

Cox Media Group