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Meet creatives on your own doorstep

Creative Boom IRL is our series of relaxed, in-person meet-ups in cities around the world — come along, swap stories, and find your people. And every city page has the local scene to match: news, studios, jobs and what's on.

Find Your City
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Not your typical networking event

Creative Boom IRL is a series of relaxed meet-ups for creative professionals. No panels or pressure. And no awkward pitches. Just a chance to get out from behind the screen, meet like-minded people, and have a proper chat over a brew or beer. Always free.

A space to feel part of something bigger

Whether you're freelance, in-house, or just starting out, everyone's welcome. It's about connection, not cliques. Real conversations, new friendships, and a reminder that you're not doing this alone.

Find your city

Fourteen cities and counting. From Bristol to New York. Each with its own meet-ups, news, studios and jobs.

  • Manchester

    Manchester

    Next meet: TBC

  • London

    London

    Next meet: TBC

  • New York

    New York

    Next meet:

  • Birmingham

    Birmingham

    Next meet:

  • Bristol

    Bristol

    Next meet: TBC

  • Glasgow

    Glasgow

    Next meet: TBC

  • Leeds

    Leeds

    Next meet:

Not on the map yet? If you'd host a meet-up where you live, we want to hear from you.

Upcoming Events

Our Creative Boom IRL meetups over the coming months. Find your local chapter, RSVP, and come say hi.

Sheffield: September Social — Sheffield, UK
Creative Boom IRL

Sheffield: September Social

Sheffield, UK
Leeds: September Drinks — Leeds, UK
Creative Boom IRL

Leeds: September Drinks

Leeds, UK
Birmingham: September Meet — Birmingham, UK
Creative Boom IRL

Birmingham: September Meet

Birmingham, UK
Nottingham: September Launch — Nottingham, UK
Creative Boom IRL

Nottingham: September Launch

Nottingham, UK
Creative Boom IRL New York: Winter Social — The One Club For Creativity
Creative Boom IRL

Creative Boom IRL New York: Winter Social

- ESTThe One Club For Creativity
Sheffield: November Mixer — Sheffield, UK
Creative Boom IRL

Sheffield: November Mixer

Sheffield, UK
Leeds: November Catchup — Leeds, UK
Creative Boom IRL

Leeds: November Catchup

Leeds, UK

Meet the Hosts

These brilliant folks volunteer their time to bring creatives together, one city at a time. Find yours below and say hello.

Gregg Reid, IRL Belfast

Gregg Reid of Hundred Studio, IRL Belfast

Louise O'Kane, IRL Birmingham

Louise O'Kane of LULACREATES, IRL Birmingham

Emily Penny, IRL Brighton

Emily Penny of Be Colourful, IRL Brighton

Michelle Mariathasan Holland, IRL Brighton

Michelle Mariathasan Holland of MMH, IRL Brighton

Natty Harris, IRL Bristol

Natty Harris, IRL Bristol

Clare Lavelle, IRL Durham

Clare Lavelle of Aniseed Creative, IRL Durham

Chloe Doyle, IRL Glasgow

Chloe Marie Doyle, IRL Glasgow

Richard Longmuir, IRL Glasgow

Richard Longmuir, IRL Glasgow

Ivy Malik, IRL London

Ivy Malik, IRL London

Michela Bruno, IRL London

Michela Bruno, IRL London

Pip Rustage, IRL Manchester

Pip Rustage, IRL Manchester

Jasha Aitchison, IRL New York

Jasha Aitchison, IRL New York

Matt Brooks, IRL Nottingham

Matt Brooks Earthboy, IRL Nottingham

Emily O'Brien & Kirsty Grafton, IRL Sheffield

Emily O'Brien of Folly & Kirsty Grafton of Graft, IRL Sheffield © Mark Howe

Tony Clarkson, IRL Shrewsbury

Tony Clarkson of &Something Studio, IRL Shrewsbury

Recent Scenes

A few favourite moments from Creative Boom IRL meetups around the world. Plenty of these people arrived on their own, knowing nobody. You'd never guess.

IRL Birmingham. © Dray Darnell

IRL Birmingham. © Dray Darnell

IRL Birmingham. © Dray Darnell

IRL Birmingham. © Dray Darnell

IRL Manchester. © Fiona Finchett

IRL Manchester. © Fiona Finchett

IRL Manchester. © Fiona Finchett

IRL Manchester. © Fiona Finchett

IRL Sheffield © Mark Howe

IRL Sheffield © Mark Howe

IRL Sheffield © Mark Howe

IRL Sheffield © Mark Howe

IRL Durham

IRL Durham

IRL Leeds © Michael Godsall

IRL Leeds © Michael Godsall

IRL Leeds © Michael Godsall

IRL Leeds © Michael Godsall

What People Say

A rare kind of networking

"It was such an enjoyable, relaxed and fun evening, with a great opportunity to meet and connect with other creatives. I can safely say that enjoyable networking events don’t come along often, so it was extremely refreshing to be part of something that felt so natural and welcoming."

Lauren Pitbladdo, Glasgow

I came out of my shell

"I usually feel so shy at networking events, but this was genuinely warm and friendly. I really came out of my shell. Which is rare for me. I came away with a full heart and some new friends, too."

Attendee, Manchester

Like a great work do

"It was like being at a massive work night out with loads of colleagues you've never met but feel like you've known forever, letting off steam. Don't change a thing!"

Fraser Purdie, Glasgow

Why we meet IRL

"Brilliant conversations, lots of laughs – proof that no algorithm can match the energy of a room full of humans."

Nosheen Ahmed, Manchester

Everyone's welcome at the table

"I was a little nervous going by myself for the first time, but it couldn't have been more welcoming, friendly, and inclusive. The Creative Boom meet-ups offer a chance for everyone to be on the same level, regardless of experience, age, or sector."

Ed Pearson, Birmingham

The wonder of discovering other creatives

"It's amazing to have somewhere for creatives to meet in Shrewsbury! I didn't know anyone in the industry here until I came to this. event."

Anon, Shrewsbury
Fancy hosting your own IRL?

Fancy hosting your own IRL?

We're always looking for friendly faces to run Creative Boom meet-ups in new cities. If you care about community, you're already halfway there.

Become a Host