Football rivalry, laughter, music and honest life conversations defined the fifth edition of Gilbey’s Hangouts held on Friday night at Old Tymerz.
Arsenal supporters dominated much of the conversation following the club’s long-awaited English Premier League title triumph, with fans openly celebrating what many described as the end of years of frustration and near misses.
Across different tables inside the venue, football lovers engaged in animated debates over Arsenal’s current squad, past generations and the club’s journey back to success. Rival fans, particularly supporters of Manchester United, defended their club’s history just as passionately, creating a lively atmosphere filled with banter and humour.
The fifth edition of Gilbey’s Hangouts once again blended entertainment, music, cocktails and open conversations, creating a relaxed social environment where strangers easily connected through shared experiences and humour.
As Gilbey’s cocktails circulated around the venue, football discussions became even more spirited, with Arsenal fans celebrating openly while rival supporters attempted to downplay the achievement.
However, as the evening progressed, conversations gradually shifted from football rivalry to more personal and relatable topics, particularly the financial pressures associated with the back-to-school season.
One discussion that drew attention across several tables centred on a familiar dilemma faced by many parents — choosing between paying school fees and paying rent when both become due at the same time.
The mood briefly turned reflective as attendees shared personal experiences about growing up in households where parents struggled to balance family responsibilities during school terms.
Some participants admitted adulthood had given them a deeper appreciation of the silent financial pressures many parents endure, especially during back-to-school periods.
One attendee noted that school fees often feel more urgent because “you never want your child to feel left behind,” while another argued that delayed rent payments can destabilise an entire household.
Speaking during the event, host Ronnie McVex said the openness and authenticity of the conversations continue to attract people to the weekly hangouts.
“People come here because they know they can genuinely be themselves. One minute they are arguing about football, the next minute they are talking about life, relationships, rent, politics or anything else without feeling judged. Gilbey’s Hangouts has created that kind of safe, relaxed environment where conversations happen naturally and everybody feels included,” he said.
Music also remained central to the experience, with in-house DJs entertaining revelers through nostalgic throwbacks, singalongs and crowd favourites that maintained a lively but relaxed atmosphere throughout the night.
Speaking after the event, Raymond Karama said the initiative continues to provide a rare opportunity for people to engage in genuine face-to-face interactions.
“Today, people spend so much time online reacting to each other through screens, yet very few spaces still allow real conversations to happen face-to-face in a natural way. However, Gilbey’s Hangouts brings people back to that simple human experience of connecting, sharing opinions freely and enjoying authentic moments together,” he said.
Organisers said Gilbey’s Hangouts will continue to take place every Friday, with more themed conversations, entertainment experiences and social interactions expected in upcoming editions.
