Location: London, UK.
Origins: In 1992, French philosopher Marc Sautet began gathering with an informal group of friends every Sunday morning at the Café des Phares in Paris. His distinctive, egalitarian approach to discussion quickly drew larger crowds, expanding across Parisian cafés, French provinces, and internationally to cities like New York and Tokyo. In 1997, Café Philosophique was brought to London by Bryn Williams, a doctor of philosophy. The first meeting took place in The Glassbower in Carnaby Street. The meetings were well attended and generated public curiosity, eventually leading to media interest.
Location: London, UK / North Island, NZ
Back to the Café: Not long after Pub philosophy was established, an offer came in from an advertising agency working for Costa Coffee. They wanted to host philosophy at Costa's flagship café in Soho. With sponsorship from Guinness, facilitated philosophical discussions were introduced to London. The deal was done, and Pub Philosophy remained at Costa's for two years. Following a BBC Broadcasting House programme appearance, a listener from New Zealand got in touch to ask whether it was possible to bring Pub Philosophy to NZ. Fortunately, with sponsorship, Pub Philosophy meetings were hosted across North Island venues and cities.
Location: Hoxton Cabin, Hackney, London.
Transition: Pub Philosophy returned to London on 24th February 2022, coincidentally the same day Putin invaded Ukraine, as the UK emerged from the Covid pandemic. Recently retired from the NHS, Pub Philosophy was relaunched at the Hoxton Cabin in Hackney, where it continues to meet weekly every Thursday, 6:15pm-7:45pm in an atmospheric cellar bar. It remains a matter of immense pride that every week, if you wish, you can find a place in London to dance with ideas.
In 1992, French philosopher Marc Sautet had a revolutionary idea: bring philosophy to ordinary people in cafés. His approach was refreshingly different from academic philosophy. As he envisioned it: "The aim is to provide a relaxed and informal forum within which people may examine the big questions. The meetings are led by someone with experience in philosophical research and debate, but the role of the host (or 'facilitator') is only to enable the discussion, not to defend any particular position, or preach at the participants."
Café Philosophique began at the Café des Phares in Paris with Sunday morning gatherings and quickly grew into a movement. By 1997, the concept had travelled internationally to cities like New York and Tokyo. That same year, Bryn Williams—a doctor of philosophy who had been a public servant and editor of Philosophy Now magazine—brought facilitated philosophical discussions to London. The first meeting took place in The Glassbower in Carnaby Street, establishing what would become known as Pub Philosophy.
The Glassbower meetings were well attended, generating fascination with the venture. The British press, radio, and television journalists took notice, and the public's curiosity was piqued. Press support led to widespread coverage, and Pub Philosophy London meetings were usually fully subscribed.
Not long after establishing Pub Philosophy in London, an unexpected opportunity arose. An advertising agency working for Costa Coffee approached with an offer: they wanted to host philosophy discussions at Costa's flagship café in Soho. With partnership support from Guinness, Bryn Williams introduced facilitated philosophical discussions to the coffee chain. The deal was struck, and Pub Philosophy remained at Costa's for approximately two years.
The venture's growing reputation—boosted by an appearance on BBC's Broadcasting House programme—caught the attention of a listener from New Zealand. Following that broadcast, contact came from across the world: could Pub Philosophy come to New Zealand? Remarkably, with sponsorship support, the answer was yes. Bryn hosted pub philosophy meetings in a range of venues and cities across the North Island of New Zealand, including pubs, shopping malls, schools in Auckland, and hotel bars in Rotorua. Radio and national television coverage renewed public interest in philosophical discourse.
Regrettably, Costa Café Philosophy ended in the early months of 2000. Though continued press support and sponsorship offers were forthcoming, the novelty value had diminished. It was decided to call it a day. However, this was not to be the bitter end for Pub Philosophy. Following an appearance on BBC's Broadcasting House programme, renewed public interest meant that Pub Philosophy was soon revived—this time under a new banner that would define it for the next two decades.
The 21st century iteration of Pub Philosophy also could not be contained in one country. Leaving the meetings in London to a younger generation of enthusiastic ideasmiths, Bryn Williams carried the torch of philosophical discourse internationally. What had begun as a modest gathering in a Parisian café had evolved into a global movement—one dedicated to the principle that anyone, anywhere, could participate in serious philosophical discussion over a drink in a relaxed setting.
The legacy of Pub Philosophy continues to this day, reminding us that philosophy need not be confined to ivory towers. It belongs in pubs, cafés, and living rooms—wherever people gather to dance with ideas and explore life's enduring questions together.
Every week in London, if you wish, you can find a place to gather with others and dance with ideas. Pub Philosophy remains committed to the belief that philosophy is for everyone—not just academics, but anyone curious enough to ask the big questions and listen to others do the same.