HOSTING

THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS

IN PUBS

THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS (TEiP) is expanding!

After attending OG events in London, inspired organisers are bringing TEiP to different parts of the world.

If you’d like to join the network of hosts, please read on…

There are two ways to host TEiP, depending on your intentions and circumstances:

  1. FREE LICENSE: as a volunteer, running free events, with a free licence (more info)

  2. PROPORTIONAL LICENSE: selling tickets for events, with a paid licence (more info

The licence, whether free or paid, is an agreement to uphold the ethos and spirit of TEiP, acknowledging TEiP’s origins and all the work that has gone into creating it.

A TEiP license (both free and paid) includes:

  • Consent to use the TEiP format, copy, and ideas

  • Access to a library of Thought Experiments

  • Access to a host membership area with resources

  • Inclusion in the TEiP network

  • Connection with other hosts (WhatsApp group, quarterly network meetings)

  • Ongoing support and guidance from Bonny and the network

  • Shared branding and identity (optional)

  • Occasional promotion via socials

  • Bonny’s evolving ‘Guide for Hosts’

FREE LICENSE: FREE EVENTS, VOLUNTEER HOST

It is possible, and very rewarding, to run TEiP for free. This is how TEiP started.

The materials are minimal and inexpensive:

  • A sign (can be as DIY as sharpie on cardboard)

  • A way of gathering the group’s attention (I use a meditation bell)

  • Your phone (I imagine you already have one)

  • A venue willing to host you for free (Often easier than you think if you can draw a crowd. I’m happy to share what’s worked for me.)

  • A way to promote the event (Meetup charges an organiser fee, but there are lots of platforms where you can list events for free, e.g. Luma).

The free licence is an agreement to uphold the ethos and spirit of TEiP (warmth, openness, curiosity, and inclusivity) and to credit the origins of TEiP in your event copy. If you choose this route, I’m happy to share the TEiP format and materials with you so that you can host free events and provide more people with the opportunity to benefit from these forums.

If this sounds like something you’d like to do, get in touch and we can talk it through.

PROPORTIONAL LICENSE: TICKETED EVENTS, PAID HOST

It is possible to make some money as a TEiP host by selling tickets for events.

If you choose to charge for events, a paid licence is required.

The paid licence model is designed to be fair and non-restrictive. It is proportional: 10% of ticket sales, so costs scale with your events.

If you earn little, you pay little.

If things take off, your contribution helps support the wider TEiP network.

To keep TEiP true to its principles of accessibility, tickets should remain low-cost.

What Counts as Paid:

Free events - free licence

Any payment (including donations) - paid licence

TEiP is not designed to maximise profit.

The licensing model is there to:

  • Keep events accessible

  • Support hosts in a sustainable way

  • Protect the quality and integrity of the experience across different locations

  • Honour the work that has gone into creating TEiP

LONDON EVENTS

  • PORTOBELLO

    The pub where it all began! We meet here once a month on Friday evenings. If the weather is good, we sometimes relocate to nearby Hyde Park.

    100 people max.

    JOIN US

  • ST PANCRAS

    A one-of-a-kind pub situated half in St Pancras International Train Station and half in the iconic St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. You won’t find a better connected pub!

    40 people max.

    JOIN US

  • FITZROVIA

    A historic pub in the heart of Fitzrovia. We meet here for TEiP DEEP (the smaller group).

    20 people max.

    JOIN US

  • BATTERSEA

    A pub that really gets the spirit of TEiP, so much so that they reached out and invited us to hold events in their private room.

    40 people max.

    JOIN US

  • IN THE PARK

    Fair weather events in Regents Park.

    Unlimited capacity :-)

    JOIN US

  • COLLABORATIONS

    Pop up events in thought provoking locations around London. Art Galleries, Museums, Universities, Innovative Cafés, Libraries, (etc.)…

    We’d love to hear your ideas for future events!

    CONTACT US

THE WIDER NETWORK

  • BERLIN

    Inspired by attending TEiP London, Aino set up TEiP Berlin in November 2023. Stepping back from organising in 2025, Aino handed over to Dirk, who now runs events on a monthly basis.

    TEiP BERLIN

  • AUSTIN, TEXAS

    After moving to Austin, Nicole set up THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS ON PATIOS in April 2026, adapting what she loved about TEiP London to suit a more Texan vibe.

    THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS ON PATIOS

  • YOUR CITY?

    TEiP has spread its wings. If you’re interested in hosting events like this:

    GET IN TOUCH

How TEiP works:

  1. We meet in nice pubs (and places with the same relaxed, open spirit as a pub)

  2. We set the tone for laid-back, respectful discussions.

  3. We use thought experiments (imaginary scenarios) as conversational jumping off points. They help make abstract questions tangible and get us straight into unusual conversations.

  4. We welcome tangents, anecdotes, and edits to the original parameters.

  5. Every 25-30 minutes, we shuffle groups and move on to the next thought experiment so that there’s more opportunity for connection and new ideas.

  6. Everyone is welcome. The more perspectives, the richer the conversations.

The outcome:

  • Different conversations

  • New ways of looking at the world

  • Opportunities to share

  • Opportunities to listen

  • Collective wisdom

  • More open minds

  • A community of interesting people

  • New connections and friendships

See what we look like

@thoughtexperimentsinpubs

  • This was a fantastic interactive event. The host created a warm atmosphere for attendees. The content was delivered exactly as promised —sparking debates and challenging the way we think about life and our own morals. Engaging in discussions with adults from diverse backgrounds allowed us to explore different perspectives while also enhancing our communication skills. I would definitely attend again! Thank you for organizing such a thought-provoking event!

    Baran, Thought Experiments in Pubs Group Member

  • I had a great time, met interesting people, very enjoyable with people who have different perspectives and a shared curiosity.

    P, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • Thank you for the great event! Amazing what can come up in the conversations

    L, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • This group is a gold mine for anyone who is extremely curious and loves to deep dive into hypotheticals. It’s not about proving a point, but exploring the endless possibilities of “what if”. The community are incredibly welcoming, full of diverse individuals eager to share and listen. It’s fascinating to hear ideas that challenge your own, expanding your perspective in ways you hadn’t imagined. Bonny has done a great job of building an intellectual oasis in the centre of London every two weeks!

    Alex, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS attendee

  • Great host and event as always

    Nicola, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • It's been an absolute pleasure hosting Bonny for her regular gatherings at the Fitzroy Tavern. We always look forward to welcoming her Thought's Experiments in Pubs group each time, and it's been wonderful to see the strong rapport and community aspect you bring to our pub. Bonny's group is always respectful, friendly, and a joy to serve, making it easy for our team to provide excellent service. We truly appreciate Bonny's continued support and are grateful for the opportunity to be part of her regular meet ups. We look forward to many more great times together!

    Finn - Manager at THE FITZROY TAVERN

  • Very enjoyable discussions re Identity - lots of thought provoking queries. Great, per normal.

    B, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • With so many varied minds and so much interaction it was fascinating and went well beyond any conversation I have ever had in a pub - the evening was worthwhile, it was both engrossing and stimulating

    Anne, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS attendee

  • The perfect event for stimulating conversation and meeting people. The host was really lovely and kind

    K, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • What could be better than an evening in a pub with a group of interesting diverse people, talking and debating thought provoking subjects. This made all the better as it is run by Bonny who is warm, open and friendly. The idea that we bypass small talk which can be boring, and get to have fun sharing our thoughts and ideas but also learning as you hear other's opinions. Quite frankly well done for starting something special...the huge number of attendees speaks volumes.

    J, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS attendee

  • Thought Experiments in Pubs is one of my favourite groups. Bonny is a kind person who brings a lot of positive energy to all the events. She also has the strength of character to do the hard work of running a large group. Each event is well organised and there are also a number of well-run WhatsApp groups. All this means that lots of interesting people are attracted to the events. The conversations are deep, but not too earnest: the intention is to get something positive from the experience. The new, second, location is excellent as it is more central and quieter. Again Bonny has made the effort to find a sensible venue.

    Neil, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS attendee

  • Always a pleasure to share interesting ideas with friendly people in a warm pub setting!

    Nic, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

  • Very well organised and facilitated. I would recommend this event to those interested in meeting new people who want good conversation.

    Rashid, THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS GROUP MEMBER

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