They Opened Lisbon’s Phone-Free Club (Yes, They Lock Your Phone Away)

In this episode of People Of Lisbon, we meet Shalini Choudhary and Māra Kesnere, the founders of one of the most unusual spaces in Lisbon, Portugal — a phone-free club where visitors lock their phones away at the door.In a world dominated by notifications, screens and constant digital stimulation, Shalini and Mara wanted to create something radically different: a space where people can disconnect from their phones and reconnect with themselves and with others.Inside their Lisbon club, there are no phones, no scrolling, and no pressure to be productive. Instead, guests read books, play board games, practise calligraphy, knit, talk, and rediscover the simple joy of being present.What started as an idea between two friends has become a fascinating experiment in mindfulness, creativity and community in Lisbon.  / absent_lisbon  Please support the partners who help make People Of Lisbon possible:United Medical Clinic LisbonFast and easy access to medical care for expats, tourists & localshttps://lisbon.umc.clinic/MoviinnMoving abroad made simplehttps://www.moviinn.comPractice PortugueseLearn Portuguese from Portugal — as it's spoken in Lisbon, Porto, Algarve and across the countryhttps://www.practiceportuguese.comJoin Club People Of LisbonBecome part of our community and support the project:https://www.peopleoflisbon.comVideo by Stephen O'Regan Photographer Rita Ansone