The Creative Lunch Club offers a simple, human way for creatives to meet, exchange ideas, and build real connections without the pressure and awkwardness of traditional networking events.
How It Works
Every month, members of the Creative Lunch Club are matched with two other creatives in their city to meet up for lunch. The process is simple: You sign up on the website and share a few details about yourself, such as your profession, website, Instagram handle, and preferred city. At the beginning of each month, you'll receive then an email introducing you to your lunch partners. From there, you arrange a time and place to meet.
"The process is easy and straightforward, and everyone is so friendly, interesting, and talented," says Danii Pollehn, an illustrator based in Lisbon. "Thanks to the Creative Lunch Club, I found friends and inspiring conversations with people I probably would not have met otherwise."
The matching is deliberately kept to small groups of three, creating the perfect environment for meaningful, in-depth conversations and a refreshing alternative to traditional networking events. Brand designer Bruno Figueiredo immediately noticed the difference. "When I heard about the Creative Lunch Club, I knew I had to join. Small group gatherings are rare, and lunch feels like the ideal excuse to meet other creatives. It was such a great experience. I can't wait for the next.“
Joining the Creative Lunch Club is easy and affordable: membership costs just €10 every three months.
From Finding New Clients to Talking About Cats
While the lunches are relaxed and informal, the conversations often run surprisingly deep. Topics range from creative projects and finding clients to working from home, procrastination, mental health and even cats.
"It was so energizing to bond over shared experiences, our loves and challenges with creative work, ways to avoid burnout, and what we're looking forward to," says Toronto-based graphic designer Monika Lê.
Melbourne entrepreneur and fashion designer Karishma Kasabia shares a similar experience: "We talked about everything from procrastination and finding clients to cats, medication, and anxiety. It's wholesome and perfect if you don't like mass networking events."
Projects, Collaborations, and New Friends
For many members, the Creative Lunch Club leads to much more than just great conversations. Joint projects, collaborations, new clients and even genuine friendships grow from these simple meetups.
"Beyond sharing meals and meeting people, I made good friends and found clients over time," says Stockholm-based visual and sound artist Nicole Chufi. "It was surprising to learn that Creative Lunch Club is present in so many cities, allowing me to stay connected even after moving."
Finding Your People in a New City
For those moving to new places, the Creative Lunch Club offers an easy and meaningful way to build new connections. After relocating to Barcelona, Director of Photography Luke Pallett found the lunches a great way to meet people. "I learned so much from the others, who had already been living here longer. I can't wait for the next one," he says.
Photographer Whitley Isa had a similar experience after moving to Brussels. "The Creative Lunch Club has been instrumental in helping me connect with other creatives and discover the wonders of this city," she shares. "Sharing lunch with like-minded creatives has opened up new ideas and perspectives for me. The passion and energy from these gatherings never fail to inspire and motivate me."
Where It Happens
The Creative Lunch Club is thriving in creative hubs across Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia.
In Europe, cities like London, Berlin, Paris, Lisbon, and Barcelona are leading the way. In North America, vibrant communities have formed in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Montreal, and Toronto. The idea has also taken off in Australia, with regular lunches happening in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Earlier this year, the Creative Lunch Club expanded into Asia, launching new communities in Tokyo and Seoul, proving that the spirit of creative connection knows no borders.
The Founder Behind the Creative Lunch Club
The Creative Lunch Club was founded in April 2023 in Vienna by social media marketer Klaus Heller. Having worked in the creative industries since 2010 and run his own business since 2016, Klaus set out to combine two things he’s always loved: building digital communities and bringing people together in real life.
Tired of awkward networking events, Klaus wanted a smarter, more human way for creatives to meet and what’s more natural than sharing a meal?
The Creative Lunch Club was born from the simple idea that real conversations happen when people sit down together, not when they trade business cards.
In the creative world, strong networks are more than just a bonus, they’re essential for landing new clients, collaborating on projects, and building a thriving career. But just as important is feeling part of a community. The Creative Lunch Club turns the timeless social act of sharing a meal into the spark for real connections, fresh ideas, and lasting friendships.
Join the Creative Lunch Club now and have lunch with two other creatives from your city every month.
