The First Taste: A New Kind of Night Out

The Old Liquor Store, York

There was no white tablecloth. No ice-breaker games. No pressure.

Just a long table, a buzzing room, and 24 open-hearted strangers gathered for one thing: a good meal in good company.

Our first Good Taste Club event took place at The Old Liquor Store, a fabulous space tucked underneath York’s historic Terry’s chocolate factory. Industrial, elegant, and effortlessly cool, the setting did what we hoped it would: gave people space to settle in, relax, and be themselves.

This wasn’t dating. It wasn’t networking. It was just... real life. Unfiltered.
People chatting across the table about anything and everything and the shared weirdness of modern connection. One guest said, “It got me out of my 'comfort zone', and thought there was a good mix of people. I think the idea works because it was aimed at the right level and most were there to connect over a delicious meal.”

There were no name tags, no rules, and no expectations. Just great food (thank you to the brilliant kitchen team), wine that loosened shoulders, and a sense that something refreshing was happening. The vibe was friendly, easy, and surprisingly uplifting - even for the introverts.

The age group was 35 to 50, but honestly, it didn’t matter. What mattered was the warmth in the room. The way conversations didn’t need effort. The way people lingered.

This was the first of many Good Taste Club gatherings and if you’re someone who’s tired of swiping, forcing, or waiting for life to deliver connection in perfect packaging, this might just be your kind of night.

There’s no script. No agenda. Just food, faces, and the magic that happens when we meet each other in real life.