I’m Jesse. I’ve lived in New Haven for more than twenty years, and I’ve always been the person who ends up talking to strangers in line or hearing someone’s life story at the bar. It’s just how I move through the world.

Over the past few years, I kept noticing something. This city is full of interesting people, but connecting as an adult is strangely hard. Everyone’s busy. Everyone’s a little isolated. It’s way too easy to fall into a loop of work, home, scrolling, repeat. Even in a place with this much personality, a lot of people feel like they haven’t found their people yet.

New Haven IRL started because I couldn’t stop thinking about that. I’ve worked in marketing, graphic design and event design for more than 25 years, and I’ve always cared about how an experience feels - the lighting, the pacing, the energy, the way people move. When the environment is right and the structure is smart, people open up. That’s not magic. It’s good design.

So I began experimenting. I played with different prompts, tested group sizes, watched how people settled in, and learned what helps a table feel comfortable fast. The Social Salon ended up being the format that clicked: small tables, thoughtful prompts, and a room full of curious adults who came ready for the kind of conversations you don’t get in everyday life.

And honestly, the people who show up are incredible. They come solo. They take the risk. They settle in faster than they expect. They stay late because the conversations get good. I’m amazed every time.

IRL isn’t about fixing anyone. It’s not trying to solve loneliness in one night. It’s about creating an experience where connecting feels natural again - where you walk out thinking, “There really are good people here.” Sometimes you meet someone you’ll see again. Sometimes the night itself is enough.

This whole project is personal to me. I care about bringing people together in a way that feels real, warm, and well-designed. And if you’re someone who appreciates good conversation, good energy, and a room with the right vibe, I think you’ll feel at home at IRL.