Why?
As the first quarter of the 21st century comes to a close, it’s clear that men in the U.S. increasingly struggle to build and sustain healthy friendships outside of school and work. National data on education, employment, and social connection all point in the same direction: men are feeling more isolated, less supported, and unsure of where to find real community.
The disruptions wrought by the pandemic and the increased dependency on digital devices has led to further disconnection from the physical world. Men are unwillingly lumped into online filter bubbles that reward outrage and discontent over nuance and expertise; stewing validation and grievance over fostering curiosity and reflection. Powered by algorithms, bad faith influencers peddle nonsensical definitions of what it is to be a man — stoking resentment in place of cultivating growth.
In short, our attention has been hijacked and we need to reclaim it.
We suggest good men unplug and step outside. Last Call Library is an experiment in building community — swapping glowing screens for dog-eared pages, replacing online noise with offline banter, and abandoning doom-scrolling for an evening at the pub with guys who want to learn from one another. It’s about reading challenging books, exploring bars across NYC, and remembering that friendships don’t form by accident. Friendships form when we put in the effort.
Our story
In December 2024, about twenty men replied to an online post about starting an “NYC Pub/Nonfiction” club. A month later, a dozen of us showed up in person to talk books over beer: a journalist, a military veteran, an Irishman, a stand-up comic, a nonprofit professional, and a few guys in tech.
From there, the club found its footing. We read our way through the following months by rendevousing at different bars across the city, and the group continued to grow. New faces joined in every few months, including one of the bar owners!
Members gradually met up outside of book club, too. Whether it was to watch a game, help with a graduate school application, or grab a bite to eat, we had each other.
The response from the outside was supportive, from both men and women, alike. And within the group, a simple thought kept coming up: if this helped us feel more connected, maybe other men would want something similar, too.
Our model
The heart of a successful Last Call Library chapter is simple structure and clear communication. Two books every ninety days and an active group chat help anchor the chapter and keep everyone connected. A few guidelines have worked well for us:
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Respect the room Bring curiosity, not ego. Enjoy yourself, but not at someone else’s expense.
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Read the book Show up ready to talk about what you read or listened to. The conversation depends on it.
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Choose a point person One person should manage book and bar selections. If you’ve ever organized a fantasy league or group trip, you have the skills.
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Keep the group small Six to twelve people is the sweet spot. Big enough for a range of views, small enough for everyone to take part.
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Pick books together Give the group a day to nominate books and two days to vote on the winner.
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Rotate bars Try a new place each month and switch up neighborhoods when you can. A change of setting brings new energy to the conversation.
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Set the pace Five to six weeks per book gives people breathing room. Most clubs do well with books between 250-450 pages, which works out to roughly ten to twelve pages a day.
This model is suggestive, not prescriptive. It’s a starting point that keeps things moving without making it feel like a chore.
Our goal
Get in Touch
We're Here to Help
Have questions or want to join the club? Reach out to us, and we’d be glad to assist with any inquiries or share more about our upcoming events.
