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There’s a moment that happens at every event by The Common Thread. Maybe it’s when the candles have burned low and everyone is laughing over dessert, or when someone shares a story that opens up the table in a new way. It’s subtle but unmistakable—that quiet magic when a group of strangers becomes something more than guests. For just a few hours, it feels like a well-blended family.
You never know who you’ll sit next to at our table, but you’ll almost always leave with a new story, a new favorite wine, or a new friend.
What is The Common Thread Club?
The Common Thread Club is not just a supper club. It’s a carefully crafted community of people(locals, expats, creatives, solo travelers, and food lovers) who come together in Barcelona for intimate, high-quality events built around food, wine, and connection.
We host dinners, wine tastings, curated pop-up experiences, and the occasional culinary trip. Some nights feature seasonal tasting menus with paired wines. Other nights are relaxed backyard dinners with great music and homemade cocktails. The thread that ties it all together is intention: who we gather, how we design the experience, and what it feels like to be part of it (to find common ground with most attendees).
As we once said on Instagram, "You never know who you’ll sit next to at our table, but you’ll almost always leave with a new story, a new favorite wine, or a new friend."
The Story Behind It
I, Kevin, moved to Barcelona three years ago, fresh out of a breakup and looking for something real. After living in Amsterdam, I needed a change of scenery, a slower pace, and a softer landing. I work as a creative executive, and while I poured myself into my projects and friends, I felt a growing loneliness. I didn’t want to just live in a city that partied. I wanted to belong and have deep conversations.
We’ve said before: “It’s not about being fancy. It’s about feeling at ease.” And that’s what our guests tell us too—that these nights help them breathe a little easier, laugh a little louder, and remember what it feels like to belong.
And… I had a problem: I was cooking way too much food and didn’t have enough people to help me eat it.That’s how The Common Thread Club began. I invited a few friends over for dinner. Then friends of friends. Then strangers who became friends. What started as a seat at my dinner table has now grown into something beautiful and unexpected: a chosen family, birthday parties with strangers, regulars who bring the wine, and new arrivals who come once and stay forever.
As one of our recent Instagram posts noted: "We’re not a networking event. We’re a vibe. Come with an appetite—for food and for connection."
Who Is It For?
The Common Thread Club was made for people like me and like us:
- Locals (usually 30+) who want something deeper than drinks at the same bar with the same crew.
- Expats and new residents craving more than surface-level small talk.
- Travelers who are tired of hollow sightseeing and want to connect with the heart of a city through its people and its food.
If you’ve ever found yourself in a city full of people but still feeling like an outsider, this is your place. If you’ve said, "I want to meet new people, but I’m over the awkward icebreakers and speed-friendship nights," then you’ll feel at home here.
Why It Matters
We talk a lot about connection, but it’s hard to find in practice. Especially in Barcelona, where the city is equal parts stunning and transient. People come and go. Life can be busy and fragmented. But there’s something sacred about sitting down with others, with no agenda except to enjoy, be present, and share.
We design every event with care. That means more than beautiful plates and natural wines. It means creating a space that feels inclusive, relaxed, warm, and safe—whether you show up alone or bring a friend.
We’ve said before: “It’s not about being fancy. It’s about feeling at ease.” And that’s what our guests tell us too—that these nights help them breathe a little easier, laugh a little louder, and remember what it feels like to belong.
Why Barcelona Is the Perfect Setting
Barcelona gives us the perfect canvas. This is a city of light and late dinners, of creativity and contradiction. You’ll find old-school vermuterías steps away from vegan tasting menus. You’ll meet artists, founders, designers, and bakers—often at the same table.
The city gives us stunning views, fresh ingredients, historic charm, and a built-in culture of gathering. But as magnetic as Barcelona is, it can also be lonely. Especially if you’re new. Especially if you don’t speak the language fluently. Especially if your work or background makes it hard to find “your people.”
That’s why we exist—not to divide Barcelona, but to complement it.
Creating Travel Equity Through Community
Beyond the dinners and wine tastings, there’s a deeper mission here: increasing inclusion & equity.
For us, equity means creating access to meaningful, culturally immersive experiences for all kinds of people. It’s not just about those with money, time, or connections. It means that a solo traveler can join us and feel instantly welcome. That a queer couple wanting a change of plans for the weekend feels not just safe but celebrated. That locals and foreigners can sit across from each other as equals, learning, laughing, sharing.
We keep our events intentionally intimate but not exclusive. We don’t believe in velvet ropes or VIP-only experiences. We believe in warmth, openness, and the magic that happens when you encourage the right people to meet over a great meal.
What Comes Next
The Common Thread Club is still evolving. We’re hosting more events, welcoming new members, and dreaming up collaborations with chefs, sommeliers, and creatives from across Spain and beyond.
It’s subtle but unmistakable—that quiet magic when a group of strangers becomes something more than guests. For just a few hours, it feels like a well-blended family.
If you’ve been meaning to make new friends, get out of your routine, or experience a different side of city life, come join us. Whether it’s your first event or your 15th, there’s always room for you at the table.
"The city gives you the streets. We give you the seat."
Follow us on Instagram to see what’s next, and don’t hesitate to DM if you’ve got questions or want to join the next gathering.
We’ll save you a seat!
Kevin J.J. Hawkins Jr
