Throwback to Summer 2021: When Pop-Up Bars Saved Our Sanity (And Our Social Lives)

Back in 2021, something magical happened. And no, I’m not talking about sourdough starters, Tiger King, or our collective obsession with baking banana bread. I’m talking about the rise of pop-up bars.

You remember, right? Those open-air, fairy-light-covered, rustic-as-hell setups that suddenly appeared in every field, park, and abandoned lot. It felt like someone finally said, “Hey, what if we turned the middle of nowhere into the coolest spot in town?” Boom. Pop-up culture was born.

And let’s be real: this wasn’t just about drinks. After the hefty lockdowns (where our biggest “night out” was screaming at Netflix to stop asking if we’re still watching), we craved connection. We were starving for sunsets, fresh air, and the simple act of hearing clinking glasses in the company of actual human beings.

This particular evening? Yeah, that one was straight out of a Pinterest fever dream.

We’re talking:

✨ A field dotted with hay bales and twinkling string lights.
✨ Rustic tents housing bars that served pizzas piled high with arugula like they were auditioning for a foodie Instagram page.
✨ Tables full of people rediscovering how to make small talk without starting every sentence with, “So… what did you binge on Netflix?”

And the kicker? The kids and @nathalie-s watching the World Cup on a giant screen under a pastel sky while the sun dipped low like it was showing off. I mean, if that isn’t peak 2021 summer, I don’t know what is.

Here’s the thing: pop-up bars weren’t just a trend—they were proof that humans are wired to adapt. We went from Zoom happy hours (ugh) to full-on rural boho soirées like we’d been doing it forever. We didn’t need fancy. We needed real. Real people. Real conversations. Real moments that didn’t require muting or unmuting ourselves.

So what’s the lesson here?

📌 Stop waiting for “normal” to come back. Normal was overrated anyway.
📌 You don’t need a perfect setup to create memories.
📌 Sometimes all it takes is some string lights, a pizza board, and a willingness to show up.

Back in my day (cue Gen X eye-roll), we didn’t call these “pop-up bars.” We called it “hanging out in a field.” But in 2021, this felt revolutionary. It wasn’t about the beer or the arugula-covered pizza (OK, maybe a little about the pizza). It was about being human again.

So here’s my challenge for you:
Make this summer your pop-up bar moment. Don’t wait for someone else to set the stage. Grab some chairs, invite your people, and make it happen. Because if 2021 taught us anything, it’s that connection doesn’t need a big budget—just a big heart (and maybe some decent lighting for the ‘gram).

⸻

—-

Botlord is now also a Hive Witness! 🤖 Vote for @botlord

✅ Click here & vote:
👉 here.

---

Like my photos and my tools, and want to buy me a coffee ??? -> via TipJar

📸 Captured & Edited

Shot with: Apple iPhone 14 Max Pro
Edited using: Lightroom Mobile & Skylum Luminar AI
**AI Images: ** Created using Sora & Grok, using my own prompts

All photos are my own work. Dive deeper and explore more on my website or check out my links.

---

🔍 Gear & Tools

Curious about the gear I use?
Find out everything about my photography tools here.

---

🤳 Let's Connect!

Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/bjornbeheydt
Join me there for behind-the-scenes, exclusive shots, and more!

---

🤖 Vote for Botlord – Because More Nodes = More Power!
Hive needs strong, reliable witnesses. So, I launched Botlord—because if anyone should command the bots, it’s me. 🤖💪

✅ Click here & vote:
👉 Vote for Botlord

More nodes = More decentralization = A stronger Hive. It’s one click for you, but a giant leap for Hive stability. Botlord approves this message. 🚀

---

💥 !INDEED/@indeedly Tipping Bot

Discover the !INDEED tipping bot and add a bit of fun to rewarding your favorite creators!
Start tipping and earn tokens just by engaging with the community.

Learn more about it here.

---

🌈 !HOPE/@hopelizer Tipping Bot

Spread some positivity with the !HOPE tipping bot!
Start rewarding content that inspires and uplifts with !HOPE tokens.

Learn more about it here.

---

🤪 !WEIRD/@weirdly Tipping Bot

Embrace the weirdness with the !WEIRD tipping bot!
Tip and share the quirky side of the Hive community with !WEIRD tokens.

Learn more about it here.

---

🔥 Support BBH Witness

BBH is here to support the Hive community, and every vote helps us keep growing and making a difference!
Consider voting for the BBH witness to support decentralization and the awesome Hive community.
Learn more and cast your vote here.