A New Nottingham Social Community Comes to Life!
On a rainy Saturday evening in Nottingham, something genuinely special happened. Despite the weather, more than 80 people stepped through the doors of Cosy Club to be part of the very first Affinity event – and from the moment the room filled, it was clear this was more than just a launch party.
It was the start of a community.
A Strong Turnout Before We’d Even Officially Launched
We went into the evening with hopeful expectations. What we didn’t fully anticipate was the energy, warmth and openness that defined the night.
- Over 120 people registered for the launch
- 80+ guests attended on the night, many arriving solo
- 69 members signed up before the time of launch
- 19 curated events already live on the platform
- 10 event hosts ready to welcome members
- And even before the doors opened, our first event sold out
For a brand-new social community, those numbers matter. But what mattered more was what was happening in the room.
Conversations and Real Connections
From early evening onwards, Cosy Club Nottingham was buzzing with conversation. People chatted easily at the bar, settled into relaxed corners and moving naturally between groups. Many guests told us they’d arrived alone and felt comfortable almost instantly. Some came with friends. Quite a few already new each other and made new members welcome.
That’s exactly what Affinity was created to do.
It wasn’t awkward icebreakers or forced interaction. It was simply people enjoying good company in a welcoming, thoughtfully chosen space, with the reassurance that everyone there was open to connection.
A Few Words from the Co-Founders
During the evening, the Co-Founders took a moment to welcome everyone and share what Affinity is really about.
Terry opened by thanking everyone for coming and spoke about the heart of Affinity – that this is the beginning of a social community created by the members, for the members. Terry shared just how blown away the team had been by the response so far, especially considering the club hasn’t even officially launched yet.
He highlighted some early milestones that already show the momentum building behind Affinity.
Claire then spoke about why Affinity was started. She shared the motivation behind creating a welcoming, curated social space for adults who want more from their social life, creeating meaningful connections, quality experiences, and events where people feel comfortable turning up, even on their own.
Tünde followed by highlighting what’s coming next, including the upcoming Valentine’s Celebration, encouraging guests to register via the website using the QR code available on the night. Tünde also took time to thank the event hosts, inviting them to give a wave, and reminded guests that the founders and hosts were all available throughout the evening to answer questions and chat.
To close, Terry returned to the floor to announce a surprise prize draw, followed by a well-deserved round of applause – not just for the team and hosts, but for everyone in the room who helped make the launch such a success.
Why This Night Meant So Much to Us
Affinity was born from a simple idea: that adults still want to meet people, enjoy new experiences and build meaningful social circles, but often struggle to find spaces that feel right.
The launch night proved that the appetite is there.
People stayed longer than planned. Conversations deepened. New friendships began. You could see it happening in real time – that was when strangers stop feeling like strangers.
The Power of Quality Over Quantity
One of the most encouraging takeaways from the evening was the atmosphere itself. By focusing on curation, hosting and intention, the event felt calm, inclusive and energising all at once.
Guests commented on:
- How relaxed the environment felt
- How easy it was to talk to new people
- How refreshing it was to attend an event designed with care
That’s the standard we’re committed to carrying through every Affinity experience.
Capturing the Moment
A huge thank you goes to all our event hosts who helped bring the night together behind the scenes, and to those who captured the atmosphere so beautifully on camera. Thank you to Steve Edwards and Darcey Williams for this – the photos reflect exactly how the evening felt – warm, stylish, and full of genuine connection.
More photos can be found on the past events page!
This Is Just the Beginning
The launch event wasn’t a finish line. It was the starting point.
With dinners, walks, live music, themed socials and daytime events already lined up, Affinity is growing into a community shaped by its members, their interests and their ideas.
If the launch night showed us anything, it’s this:
When you create the right environment, people show up, open up and connect.
And we can’t wait to see where this community goes next!
Explore Upcoming Events or Join the Affinity Community and be part of what’s building.