In November 2023, Olivia Pollock’s life took an unexpected turn during a night out in London. After dinner with a friend, they found themselves at Soho House on Greek Street, where Olivia spotted a “tall, dark, and handsome” man, 34-year-old Jake Abdinoor, in the smoking area. Despite not being a smoker herself, Olivia, a self-proclaimed “single and ready to mingle” 27-year-old, mustered the courage to approach Jake, asking for a lighter. Their conversation extended into the night, and Olivia, in her excitement, accidentally dropped all the contents of her bag on the floor, including her headphones.
Jake, displaying his gentlemanly side, insisted on helping her find them, even getting on his hands and knees to search. To Olivia’s delight, he found both AirPods. This act of kindness solidified Jake’s “semi-heroic” status in Olivia’s eyes, and to her further delight, he called her the next day to ask her out on a date.
Their connection blossomed, and the pair have been together ever since, recently moving in together. Olivia often finds loud spaces overwhelming, making the smoking area a “refuge” for her. “It’s a great spot to meet people too, and asking to borrow a lighter is a historically great way to get a conversation going with a stranger,” she shares.
However, the future of these social hubs is uncertain. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced that the government is considering stricter laws on outdoor smoking, citing the need to protect the NHS from preventable deaths caused by tobacco use. While acknowledging the health concerns, many argue that the demise of smoking areas would also eliminate a unique space for social interaction.
Olivia emphasizes that smoking areas offer more than just a place to smoke; they are a space for people to connect, whether it be a fleeting moment or a life-altering encounter. “It’s not always about the music and the dancing but meeting people,” she says. “It’s also a happy refuge to hang out and get some space.”
Olivia’s story isn’t the only example of a life-changing experience occurring within a smoking area. In 2013, 36-year-old Tom Bourlet, disillusioned with his demanding job, found himself drawn to a group of strangers in the smoking area outside a club. He had been longing for an escape from his stressful routine, and the group’s enthusiasm for their recent trip to Argentina ignited his wanderlust. He quickly decided to quit his job, booked a one-way flight to Peru that very night, and never looked back.
For 25-year-old Milly Oaten, the smoking area provided a comical revelation. During a night out in Clapham, Milly struck up a conversation with a woman working for a lingerie company who happened to be trained in specialist bra fittings. The woman, noticing Milly’s bra size was incorrect, offered a free measurement then and there. “We immediately said yes because bra fittings are hard to come by and it’s usually a bit awkward, so if you’ve had a drink then it’s just easier,” Milly laughs. “She told me my bra size was incorrect, I’d been wearing a cup size too small, and I’ve been wearing a different bra size ever since.”
Milly, a self-proclaimed social smoker, emphasizes the social aspect of smoking areas, describing them as “the beating heart of a club.” She believes that despite the potential for stricter regulations, a space like it should continue to exist, allowing people to connect and enjoy a moment of respite from the intensity of nightlife.
Whether it’s a romantic encounter, a life-altering decision, or a hilarious revelation, smoking areas have become unexpected hubs for social interaction, proving that sometimes, the most memorable moments occur in the most unassuming of places.
