What we’re about
Do you wish you could have more of the kinds of conversations you have late at night where for some reason, you feel safe talking about the things you actually care about?
Then you'll probably be into this Meetup. We host events called Skip the Small Talks where we use question prompts designed based in psychology research to help strangers have meaningful conversations with each other.
Not feeling like answering a particular question? No worries, we'll have plenty to choose from, like, "When are you the happiest?" and, "If you were going to become close friends with me, what would I need to know about you?" We'll give you ground rules to make sure you feel comfortable and safe sharing as much of yourself as possible while still feeling in complete control of how much you divulge.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Skip the Small Talk at Uncommon Ground: Tuesday, April 29, 2025UncommonGround - Lakeview, Chicago, IL
###PLEASE NOTE: Even if you RSVP on Meetup, you will need to grab a ticket here https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-at-uncommon-ground-tuesday-april-29-2025 in order to attend### This event is cross-posted so Meetup RSVPs won't accurately reflect the actual number of attendees; typically there are around 30-40 people in attendance.
What's It Like?
Do you wish you could have more of the kinds of conversations you have late at night where for some reason, you feel safe talking about the things you actually care about?
Bring your friends (or come by yourself- most people do!) and spend your Tuesday night at an event where you know everyone else is there for the same reason.
We'll be offering 'big talk' conversational prompts on them to get you started, and we'll have lots of structure to make sure that you actually talk to people and that it's not awkward.
There will be food and drinks for sale!
Check-in for this event will begin around 6:45 pm. Please do your best to arrive before 7:00 pm so we can begin as close to on time as possible.
Skip the Small Talk is dedicated to providing an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone. Check out our safety policy here: tinyurl.com/ststSafety
Please see our event page for more accessibility info.
Ready to Skip the Small Talk With Us?
Grab a ticket since entry is on a first come first serve basis and we tend to sell out in advance for these-- once we are out of tickets, we will NOT be able to accommodate folks at the door.
To see what else Uncommon Ground has going on, check out their website here! If you want to be the first to hear about our events before we sell out, feel free to join our mailing list at Skip the Small Talk Mailing List Sign-Up
###PLEASE NOTE: Even if you RSVP on Meetup, you will need to grab a ticket here https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-at-uncommon-ground-tuesday-april-29-2025 in order to attend### This event is cross-posted so Meetup RSVPs won't accurately reflect the actual number of attendees; typically there are around 30-40 people in attendance.
- $5 First Fridays Stand Up Comedy Shows at Chicago's best venue!Laugh Factory, Chicago, IL
The Laugh Factory in Lakeview (Broadway & Belmont) is open for comedy and we all could use some laughs! We always get A LOT of people to attend these shows. Often times over 100 Meetup members!
If you attend by yourself or with friends and want to be seated in the Meetup group section, simply request this when you check in at the ticket booth! Then just say hi to those around you :)
Every First Friday of the month we get $5 TICKETS to their shows at 7:00, 9:15 & 11:30 pm. They're ALWAYS hilarious!
--------------------------------
Get your $5 tickets ASAP before the quantity they give us get sells out. And with our "laugh or get a refund" policy (that has never in 4 years been requested), I know you'll enjoy your MUCH NEEDED night out! This event is posted in lots of different Meetup groups, so the RSVP # won't show how many are actually attending.
READ THE DESCRIPTION OF EACH SHOW AND GET YOUR $5 TIX HERE: https://tinyurl.com/firstfridayslaughfactory
*You can purchase tickets for several people and multiple shows this night through the link. No physical tickets will be issued. Your name will be on a list at the door and all tickets will be under the purchaser's name. Groups of up to 6 people can be sat together if arriving together.
Please Note: These shows are for ages 18+ w/ ID. If you show up after start time you will not be able to enter. There is a 2 drink minimum per person per show (non-alcoholic or alcoholic). Drinks are reasonably priced, and a comedy show is funnier with a few drinks, so this shouldn't be an issue with how cheap our tickets are :) Also, an 18% service fee (aka gratuity) will be applied to all drink tabs at payment to be given directly to service staff.
No refunds or exchanges but tickets can be transferred.
--------------------------------
Is there parking? Street parking and some garages are available throughout the area. However, public transit, ridesharing apps, and taxi services are highly encouraged.
What is the dress code? There is no dress code. Be comfortable!
READ THE DESCRIPTION OF EACH SHOW AND GET YOUR $5 TIX HERE: https://tinyurl.com/firstfridayslaughfactory
Enjoy the laughter!
-Ben
- Skip the Small Talk at Uncommon GroundUncommonGround - Lakeview, Chicago, IL
###PLEASE NOTE: Even if you RSVP on Meetup, you will need to grab a ticket here https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-at-uncommon-ground-tuesday-may-20-2025 in order to attend### This event is cross-posted so Meetup RSVPs won't accurately reflect the actual number of attendees; typically there are around 30-40 people in attendance.
What's It Like?
Do you wish you could have more of the kinds of conversations you have late at night where for some reason, you feel safe talking about the things you actually care about?
Bring your friends (or come by yourself- most people do!) and spend your Tuesday night at an event where you know everyone else is there for the same reason.
We'll be offering 'big talk' conversational prompts on them to get you started, and we'll have lots of structure to make sure that you actually talk to people and that it's not awkward.
There will be food and drinks for sale!
Check-in for this event will begin around 6:45 pm. Please do your best to arrive before 7:00 pm so we can begin as close to on time as possible.
Skip the Small Talk is dedicated to providing an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone. Check out our safety policy here: tinyurl.com/ststSafety
Please see our event page for more accessibility info.
Ready to Skip the Small Talk With Us?
Grab a ticket since entry is on a first come first serve basis and we tend to sell out in advance for these-- once we are out of tickets, we will NOT be able to accommodate folks at the door.
To see what else Uncommon Ground has going on, check out their website here! If you want to be the first to hear about our events before we sell out, feel free to join our mailing list at Skip the Small Talk Mailing List Sign-Up
###PLEASE NOTE: Even if you RSVP on Meetup, you will need to grab a ticket here https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-at-uncommon-ground-tuesday-may-20-2025 in order to attend### This event is cross-posted so Meetup RSVPs won't accurately reflect the actual number of attendees; typically there are around 30-40 people in attendance.
- $5 First Fridays Stand Up Comedy Shows at Chicago's best venue!Laugh Factory, Chicago, IL
The Laugh Factory in Lakeview (Broadway & Belmont) is open for comedy and we all could use some laughs! We always get A LOT of people to attend these shows. Often times over 100 Meetup members!
If you attend by yourself or with friends and want to be seated in the Meetup group section, simply request this when you check in at the ticket booth! Then just say hi to those around you :)
Every First Friday of the month we get $5 TICKETS to their shows at 7:00, 9:15 & 11:30 pm. They're ALWAYS hilarious!
--------------------------------
Get your $5 tickets ASAP before the quantity they give us get sells out. And with our "laugh or get a refund" policy (that has never in 4 years been requested), I know you'll enjoy your MUCH NEEDED night out! This event is posted in lots of different Meetup groups, so the RSVP # won't show how many are actually attending.
READ THE DESCRIPTION OF EACH SHOW AND GET YOUR $5 TIX HERE: https://tinyurl.com/firstfridayslaughfactory
*You can purchase tickets for several people and multiple shows this night through the link. No physical tickets will be issued. Your name will be on a list at the door and all tickets will be under the purchaser's name. Groups of up to 6 people can be sat together if arriving together.
Please Note: These shows are for ages 18+ w/ ID. If you show up after start time you will not be able to enter. There is a 2 drink minimum per person per show (non-alcoholic or alcoholic). Drinks are reasonably priced, and a comedy show is funnier with a few drinks, so this shouldn't be an issue with how cheap our tickets are :) Also, an 18% service fee (aka gratuity) will be applied to all drink tabs at payment to be given directly to service staff.
No refunds or exchanges but tickets can be transferred.
--------------------------------
Is there parking? Street parking and some garages are available throughout the area. However, public transit, ridesharing apps, and taxi services are highly encouraged.
What is the dress code? There is no dress code. Be comfortable!
READ THE DESCRIPTION OF EACH SHOW AND GET YOUR $5 TIX HERE: https://tinyurl.com/firstfridayslaughfactory
Enjoy the laughter!
-Ben
