Scotch & Cigar Enthusiasts

Join us for social bridge without the formality of a tournament. Advice on bidding and play Is available to those who are still learning the basics. I sometimes bring along set boards for improvers to work through if they so desire. The Royal Oak is one of London’s most traditional pubs, and serves an excellent range of beers and drinks. They Also Serve Sunday roast til about 7pm. There is a £1 fee (or £5 per year) to cover Meetup fees and we do ask that you spend at least £5 at the bar.

**I MAESTRI present:** **Sunday 19th April 7pm St. Stephen’s, Gloucester Rd, Kensington, SW7 4RL** **INNER ASPIRATION** [https://wegottickets.com/event/692672](https://wegottickets.com/event/692672) Brahms Piano Concerto no 2 2222 4200 T Str 45’ Tchaikovsky Symphony no. 5 2222 4230 T Str 45’ Carol Gould, piano George Hlawiczka, Apollo Premadasa, conductors I Maestri is a mixed amateur/volunteer_professional orchestra brought together by George Hlawiczka to support conductors and soloists

# Singles Social for the 45-60 Crowd and Friends at Hilton Lounge 🌟 Join us for an exciting evening at the Hilton Lounge, tailored primarily for singles aged 45-60, but now open to other age groups eager to connect and mingle with this vibrant crowd! Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with great music, tasty drinks, and engaging conversations. Whether you're looking to make new friends or spark a connection, this event is perfect for building meaningful relationships across generations. 🏨✨ No rush, no schedules, just a cozy evening in an elegant setting to connect, chat, and spark new friendships or maybe something more! 💖 Location: Hilton Hotel Lounge, Holborn, London🎟️ Sink into plush seats, sip on a cocktail 🍸, and enjoy the warm, sophisticated ambiance of the Hilton Lounge. This is a low-pressure, easy-going evening designed for singles to mingle, laugh, and share stories in a welcoming environment. No awkward icebreakers or forced activities – just great company and meaningful conversations! 😊 Conversation Starters to Spark Connections 💬 Dream Destinations: Where’s that one place you’ve always wanted to visit? ✈️ Life’s Best Moments: Share a story about a time you felt truly alive! 🌈 Hobbies & Passions: What’s something you love doing that lights up your world? 🎨🎶 Foodie Favorites: Best dish you’ve ever tasted or a cuisine you can’t resist? 🍴 Movies & Books: What’s a film or book that left a mark on you? 📚🎬 This event is all about creating a relaxed space for singles to connect naturally. Whether you're looking for romance, new friends, or just a fun night out, come join us for an evening of great vibes and great company! 🥂 Reserve your spot now and let’s make some unforgettable connections! 💫 DM to confirm or just show up – we can’t wait to meet you! 😄 \*\*\*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\*\*\* \*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Some Tips:** 1. **Let’s all commit to updating our RSVPs if plans change**—it helps us plan better and ensures great attendance for everyone. If you RSVP “yes” but don’t attend and don’t update your RSVP, you may be removed from the group to keep things fair. No stress, though—you can rejoin for a small £10 fee! Just send me a DM, and I’ll share the PayPal details to get you back in. 2. **Turn Up on Time at the start!** This helps the quality of the event and helps you. 3. If you are struggling with the **app**, use the web page instead, that's what I use. 4. **Attendee Numbers & Guest Lists:** We have this event listed at least on two groups and the guest list includes attendees from all. You can see the list of attendees here: [https://www.meetup.com/zensingles/](https://www.meetup.com/zensingles/) [https://www.meetup.com/cityzenlondon/](https://www.meetup.com/cityzenlondon/) [https://www.meetup.com/LoveLife](https://www.meetup.com/LoveLife) 5. **Join our** **social media**: **Instagram**: [https://www.instagram.com/cityzen.london/](https://www.instagram.com/cityzen.london/) **X:** [https://x.com/CityZenLondon](https://x.com/CityZenLondon) 6. **Our WhatsApp group:** [See private comment in the comments section below]. We have a few rules including no ads, no DMs unless recipient is in the "Direct Messaging List" or risk removal and £10 rejoin fee. 7. **Support Our Amazing London Event Hosts! 🙌** Our incredible crew of hosts is the heartbeat of London’s buzzing meetup scene, bringing people together for unforgettable experiences that spark connection, growth, and fun! 🌟 From museum adventures to flirty dating mixers, these rockstar hosts pour their energy, time, and passion into creating events that level up your social and communication skills. But hosting isn’t easy—it takes resources, effort, and heart. 💖 Please consider supporting our hosts with a donation to keep the good vibes flowing and help us make London the ultimate social hub! 🚀 Below, meet our hosts for this event and see how you can chip in to fuel their amazing work. **Zen & The Meetup Groups** *The Visionary Social Connector* Zen, our AI guru with 25 years in the game, founded these meetups to transform his own social skills and now helps others do the same. From sparking in-person networking to coordinating epic events, Zen’s passion for connection is unstoppable. Help him keep the momentum going! Support Zen: Donate to cover event planning tools, venue bookings, and more. **[Donation Link](https://paypal.me/Zenswalks)** \*\*\*\* **Disclaimer, Liability Waiver & Media Consent** By attending this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following: **Organiser Identity** – The organiser operates under the community name **“ZEN”**, which is used as an alias for privacy and branding purposes. By joining, you understand that “ZEN” refers to the organiser and/or designated hosts of this event. **Assumption of Risk** – You understand and accept that participation in any social, recreational, or group activity involves inherent risks, including but not limited to personal injury, illness, property damage, or other unforeseen incidents. You voluntarily choose to attend at your own sole risk. **Personal Responsibility** – You are solely responsible for your own safety, health, wellbeing, and personal belongings at all times. It is your responsibility to exercise good judgment, act responsibly, and take appropriate precautions before, during, and after the event. **No Organiser Liability** – The organiser, hosts, volunteers, and the community known as **ZEN** accept no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any injury, loss, damage, accident, theft, or any other issue that may arise as a result of your participation. **Guests** – If you bring guests, you accept full responsibility for their conduct, safety, and understanding of this disclaimer. **Independent Event** – This event may be held in conjunction with other social or non-singles meetup groups. ZEN is not responsible for the actions, behaviour, or arrangements of any third parties. **Media Consent** – By attending this event, you consent to being photographed, filmed, or recorded. You grant ZEN and its organisers the irrevocable right to use such images and recordings for promotional, marketing, social media, and community purposes without compensation or further approval. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, it is your responsibility to inform the organiser in advance and to remove yourself from areas where filming or photography is taking place. **Acceptance of Terms** – By attending, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted this disclaimer. You release ZEN, its organisers, hosts, volunteers, and members from all claims, demands, or causes of action, whether known or unknown, arising out of your participation or the use of photography/videography captured at the event. Your attendance at this event signifies your full acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree, you should not attend.

Sunday Italian Boat Experience – Members Special (2 for 1) This Sunday, we’re inviting our Meetup members to a relaxed Italian experience on board the Dolce Vita boat. To welcome new guests and celebrate the community, we’re offering a limited 2-for-1 food experience. Bring a friend and enjoy authentic Italian food freshly prepared on board: – Lasagna or Pizza Focaccia – Italian tasting selection – Homemade tiramisù One menu paid = one menu offered (same value) Drinks not included This is not just food — it’s a social, laid-back experience on the canal with great vibes and great people. ⏳ Limited availability (members priority) 💷 Pay on arrival 📍 Regent’s Canal – King’s Cross area

**Join us as we visit two of the photographic jewels of medieval England, the landscaped gardens of Scotney Castle and the picturesque Bodiam Castle in West Sussex!** Bodiam Castle: **Constructed in 1385** to help protect against invasion from the French during the Hundred Years War, this impressive example of a moated castle provides us with **plentiful composition opportunities** to take advantage of the **beautiful symmetrical reflections** available in the wide moat. We'll also explore behind the castle walls and ascend the towers to admire the view of the surrounding countryside. Our visit will be timed so we can take advantage of being able to photograph the exterior after the tourists have left, allowing us to capture some iconic shots that would be difficult otherwise. "Set in the heart of a historic landscape, with spiral staircases, battlements, and a portcullis, 14th century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain's most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments. Windows where arrows were once loosed, a tower that was once a lookout, and ruins that were once walked upon by knights; this is a place where you can relive your childhood memories and let your imagination run riot. In the impressive gatehouse is the castle's original wooden portcullis, an extremely rare example of its kind and, beyond into the courtyard, enough of the interior ruins survive to give an impression of castle life." We'll also visit **12th-century Scotney Castle**, a picturesque country castle ruins set in the landscaped gardens of a manor estate. **Scotney Castle:** "In the 1830s Edward's grandson, Edward Hussey III, transformed the estate. He hired architect Anthony Salvin to build a new house at the top of the hill overlooking the valley. Edward Hussey III had the imagination to transform the Old Castle into a ruin to act as the focus of his new landscape garden. As a result of his vision, Scotney Castle is now celebrated as one of the most significant survivals of a complete Picturesque landscape." Recommended Equipment * Walk around/kit lens * Wide-angle lens * Tripod – optional (recommended for long exposures - we'll have two to borrow if needed) * ND Filters – optional (for long exposures – we have sets available to borrow - courtesy of Kase filters) Note: This tour is also suitable for "phone-only" photographers **Included:** * Entry to Bodium Castle & Scotney Castle. * Travel to and from central London (from Starbucks, Unit 1A Euston Tower, NW1 3DP), in our comfortable 8-seat vehicle. * Photographic tuition. * Camera and lens setups to borrow if required (bring a blank SD card) * Battery charging facilities if required (just bring your USB or wall plug charger) **Not included:** * Food and drink (tearooms are available at both castles) **Note:** Please dress for the weather. Layers, hat, etc. It is England after all, so bring a waterproof jacket/umbrella just in case and wear appropriate footwear for walking. **Where we'll meet:** We'll meet at **Starbucks Coffee, Unit 1A** **Euston Tower Podium, Regents Place, London NW1 3DP**, at **9:30 am** and we'll talk about what to expect on the day and go through previous photos and discuss settings, composition, etc. We'll be leaving Starbucks at 9:45 am and expect to return to London between 6:00-7:00 pm. Please make sure you check TFL to arrive at the meeting point on time as we will have to leave at 9:45 am sharp. Please be sure you can attend before RSVPing yes, as refunds can only be given if your place is taken by another participant. Thank you. Note: This event is combined with other photography Meetup groups that I run, so I'll update RSVP numbers accordingly (ie myself +3 will mean 3 members from other groups attending). More photos and info can be found on our [Scotney Castle & Bodiam Castle Photography Tour website page](https://www.uk-photo-tours.com/photography-workshops/bodiam-castle-photography-workshop/). We hope to see you there! Dion [UK Photo Tours](https://www.uk-photo-tours.com)

Join MOBO Amplified Award winner Terence Collie, with support from Help Musicians, for a special evening of dynamic music. At the piano, Collie leads an outstanding quartet featuring Ted Carrasco on drums, Nick Lenner-Webster on double bass and Cosimo Keita on percussion. Following two sold-out shows, this performance offers an exclusive first look at brand-new material from Collie's forthcoming album, recorded at Peter Gabriel's legendary Real World Studios and set for release in mid-2026. Expect rich interplay, lyrical melodies and deep grooves from one of the UK's most inventive jazz voices in the intimate surroundings of PizzaExpress Love Soho, Tickets £30+booking fee from www.pizzaexpresslive.com or call 202 3798 9192 - Please ask to be on the London Jazz Loves Jazz Meetup Table.

* **Join Us for a Fun Language Exchange!** 🎉¡Hola Amigos Hispanohablantes! Get ready for a fun and interactive language exchange fiesta; practice your Spanish and English, chat with native speakers, and have an amazing time with fascinating people from around the world! 🍹 **Courtesy Note:** To support our venue and keep the event free, **you must** **buy at least one or two drinks from the bar.** **Our members enjoy exclusive discounts** **on food and drinks**. 📍 **Location:** We meet in a great place with a large indoor space over two floors and a spacious terrace for the summer events. Our reserved area will be the main lounge in front of the bar on the ground floor. Enjoy a massive selection of craft beers, wines, soft drinks as well as many delicious food options from around the world. ✨ **Event Type:** This is a non-academic, laid-back event. Just for fun, practicing languages, and making new friends. 🚩 **Find Us:** Look for the Spanish flag if you're new to the group. 📅 **RSVP:** **Don’t forget to add your name to the event. Thanks!**

In April's first meeting, we will read Percival Everett's 2024 book, *James.* The award-winning novel received both the Booker Prize in 2024 and the Pulitzer Prize in 2025. It is a fascinating retelling of a famed Mark Twain novel that many Americans read at school. 'A breathtakingly accomplished retelling of *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn* from the point of view of the enslaved Jim, Everett's tour de force reclaims the character's voice from the literary margins with power, precision and dazzling wit.' -Waterstones 'A captivating response to Mark Twain’s classic that is both a bold exploration of a dark chapter in history and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit' -Booker Prize judges https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173754979-james The meeting will take place at the Big Easy - Canary Wharf. So come along for some down-home American cooking as we delve into this acclaimed novel. N.B. We will be charging an event fee of £3, non-refundable, to discourage no-shows and contribute to the running costs of the group. Please only sign up if you intend to come along as space is limited to make for an effective discussion!

Join us for lunch in a chic multi-level food court with dozens of micro-restaurants & bars, plus a bookshop & event space, near Covent Garden. # SERVING UP JOY! Bringing you the taste and experience of London via 2 bars and 20 juicy independent members! More info here: [Seven Dials Market](https://www.sevendialsmarket.com/) It’s located in **Earlham St, London WC2H 9LX, close to Covent Garden underground station** but not too far from Tottenham Court Road either. We’re a friendly, welcoming group for gay male couples who are looking to make new friends and socialise off / on the scene with other couples. We look forward to seeing old friends and greeting new members who've joined recently. If you'd like to join us, please confirm as soon as possible: seats are limited.

**FI NEWSLEARNS -** A monthly, in-person session where we gather to examine the week’s biggest headlines — scrutinising sources, narratives, and editorial decisions as unofficial editors of an open-source newsroom. **THE CONCEPT** Inspired by *the open-source newsroom model*, this **meetup** brings that spirit into real life. We create a space for honest, constructive analysis of how the news is covered and how the cycle impacts our interests. **WHO IT’S FOR** Originally built for journalists, it’s open to everyone. Media professionals, researchers, students, and curious members of the public — all perspectives are welcome. No credentials needed — just a critical eye. **WHAT WE DO** Each session, participants step into the role of FI editors and journalists. Together, we examine real headlines, using the FI platform live to improve news literacy and encourage civil, collaborative discussion in a non-judgemental environment. **BEFORE ATTENDING;** Before attending, we ask participants to review the monthly news cycle and come prepared with 3–4 editorial observations. These can include red flags (e.g. bias, weak sourcing, misleading framing) or green flags (e.g. strong evidence, balanced reporting, transparency) to discuss with the group.

Time is precious. Here we value non-boring valuable chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit, today’s hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive & curious to share views on the following intriguing observation. Growing up in the west - before the 2020s - Friday and Saturday nights meant going out with your mates for highly sociable enjoyable fun things like music, dancing/clubbing, drinking, eating, comedy, singing, being silly random conversations and banter with strangers you'd meet out and about 100% organically. Taking drugs even. Tuesdays and Thursdays was about doing the same stuff but with work collegues hence the workplace was a place to make new lifelong friends. Weekend daytimes were for doing healthier but socially fun stuff like playing sports, pub lunches, visting galleries/museums, theatre and watching movies together at the Cinema or around a mate's house. Fast‑forward 2026 - it feels like everything changed: Despite public transport running all night (it wasn't when I was in my teens/early 20s yet my peer group stayed out proper late most weekends) - on a Sat night "young" people head home at 10.30pm, skip the dance floor for board games, avoid bar banter, jokes and rarely engage in organic spontaneous chats with strangers. Whatsmore the stats are wild — data show virginity rates among men hitting record highs by age 30, social anxiety and social skills off-the charts. So what's happened? We’ll explore questions like: * Is this just nostalgia talking, or has something genuinely shifted? * Why has typical multi generational fun pastimes (1950s to 2010s) lost its spark for the 20‑somethings? * How much does health, economics, mobile phones, social media and gaming explain the trend? * Are certain professions (like tech/IT) changing the social landscape, or just attracting already‑very introverted people? * Why are some stats so **contradictory**? Think higher reported male virginity rates by 30 alongside rising STI rates in young people. Despite tanking alcohol sales - UK alcohol related death rates per capita are still rising. What's going on? * Target audience demographics for mainstrream commericial pop music radio stations (Capital, Kiss etc) is still 18 to 24 suggesting young people still consume music and other popular culture but are not going out to enjoy it. Why? * Is it harder for younger people to make genuine friends today and if so why? * Dancing is natural to all of us - every kid moves instinctively to music. So beyond a less joyous social life what happens when these innate behaviours get suppressed as adults? What has this healthy exercise and creative expression been replaced with? * AI is predicted to take over technical job and tasks - the most future‑proof skills will be things like interpersonal skills & emotional intelligence built through real‑world socialising. Employers already complain that young people lack these skills. How will they get non-AI jobs? * Levels of emotional intelligence and self-awareness - particularly amongst men - are at an all time low. Wiill social anxiety worsen further as the introversion trend accelerates? * What does all this mean for dating, relationships, and starting families? Expect lively debate, sharp humour, and a host (a former news journalist) that isn’t afraid to ask awkward questions. Bring your curiosity, your stories, and your caffeine tolerance — we’ll stir the coffee pot on whether the young have really become more boring or have they’re just discovered new fun activities - if so what are they? And if you are in your 20s - I would love to hear your views! Oh BTW - Lucy Pearson - the blondie whose friends have become boring - she's a British journalist Lucas - The alcoholic 3am Eternal singing break-dancing geriatrics

Details Let's join together for a fiesta! (Invite friends - we have lots of room!) Taco Bar Margarita and Beer tasting Complementary chips and salsa Margs/cocktails at the bar for purchase Freshly prepared snacks in the deli for purchase Festive Band/Music Margaritas/Mexican Beer Tasting + Taco Bar: $15.00 per person (covers 4 Margarita or beer samples and one pass thru the Taco Bar) Where: #MarketDistrict (Grandview Yard) location. The party room (our private space) will be decorated with both patios open! Adjoining upstairs area also open for over flow and mingling. After Party: Sometimes, we head to a venue to hear live music afterwards. LDNL is at Black Swan in Hilliard tonight! Wear your bright colors and cheerful !Salud!

**\*\*\* We've Moved! Bold Penguin - 6555 Longshore St, Dublin, OH 43017 \*\*\*** Talk by Guy Royse [You've Probably Never Heard of the Reticulum Network](https://sessionize.com/s/guyroyse/youve-probably-never-heard-of-the-reticulum-networ/146919) **AGENDA:** * See updates to parking below * Doors open at 5:30, feel free to come and hang out before! * Official start of the meeting is at 6:30pm * After the meeting is done, we will go hang out at a nearby space in Bridge Park! If you can, please sign up via meetup by noon the day of the meeting so we can have an estimate headcount for food :) We always order extra, so feel free to join us even if you don't get signed up! Thank you to Bold Penguin for providing the food and location! **Parking & Arrival:** **Parking:** Parking in Bridge Park is free. The closest lots are the Mooney Garage and the Hotel/Endres Garage. **Entry:** The doors to the office are to the right of PINS. The street level door and elevators lock at 6pm. If you arrive after that, someone should be there to let you in, else call the number posted. Take the elevator to the 2nd floor. Once you exit the elevator, turn right. \*\*\* We are a bunch of professionals, students, and geeks who are excited about Ruby programming language ([http://ruby-lang.org/](http://ruby-lang.org/)) and Rails framework ([http://rubyonrails.com/](http://rubyonrails.com/)) and the joy they have brought back to web development. Our main goal is to share the love of the Ruby and Rails ecosystems with anyone that is interested. We cater to everyone, whether a non-programmer through advanced Rubyists. * We give lectures on programming topics * We freely provide decades worth of experience * For full details of this month's meeting please visit [http://columbusrb.com](http://columbusrb.com)

Annual plant sale to support the Inniswood Volunteers Inc., giving back to the gardens. Offering mostly perennials, herbs and a few shrubs. Day 1: Saturday May 2, 2026 8am-4pm Day 2: Sunday May 3, 2026: 11a-3pm rain or shine. Bring a wagon if you have one!

This month we’ll be reading Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!

Annual plant sale to support the Inniswood Volunteers Inc., giving back to the gardens. Offering mostly perennials, herbs and a few shrubs. Day 1: Saturday May 2, 2026 8am-4pm Day 2: Sunday May 3, 2026: 11a-3pm rain or shine. Bring a wagon if you have one!

Over 50 CINCO de MAYO HAPPY HOUR - FLIGHTS N TACOS!!! Join us for a fun and relaxed Over 50 Happy Hour on Friday, May 1st from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Giant Eagle Grandview Yard Event Center! (upper level) **Plenty of free parking**. The event center is huge! Pics are in the comments. Over 50 CINCO de MAYO HAPPY HOUR!! – Flights n Tacos Let’s join together for a fiesta! (Invite friends - we have lots of room!) • Taco Bar • Margarita and Beer tasting • Complementary chips and salsa • Margs/cocktails at the bar for purchase • Festive Band/Music Margaritas/Mexican Beer Tasting + Taco Bar: Optional - For $15.00 per person you can also get 4 Margarita or beer) Get ready for a fun evening filled with live music, great conversation, and a lively crowd of 50+ singles and friends looking to mix, mingle, and enjoy the night. Whether you come solo or with friends, you’ll quickly feel the welcoming, social vibe. Enjoy happy hour at the bar until 6 PM, or take part in the special Cinco de Mayo experience featuring margarita flights and delicious Mexican bites. It’s the perfect setting to relax, meet new people, and celebrate in style. Our private upstairs space gives us plenty of room to connect, laugh, and enjoy the energy of the night. Come when you can, stay as long as you like — the best conversations (and the most fun!) tend to build as the evening goes on. No agenda — just great people, live music, and a Cinco de Mayo celebration you won’t want to miss!