Who We Are

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Born in 2015, the Study Hall Gang (SHG) started as a simple idea: real connection, real people, real fun—in a world that sometimes feels a little too disconnected. We’re a crew that values shared experiences, face-to-face laughs, and friendships that last longer than your phone’s battery.

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Right now, we’ve got over 180 members, and honestly? We feel more like a chosen family than just a “social group." We're White, Black, Asian, and Latino. We're straight, gay, married, coupled, and happily single. Our ages range from mid-20s to 80-plus, and we come from all over—Montclair, Bloomfield, Verona, Glen Ridge, Clifton, Newark, Wayne, Bergen County, and even parts of New York.

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What unites us? A shared love of fun, friendship, and connection. 😊

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ORIGIN OF THE STUDY HALL GANG

Founded by Andrew Pincus and Beth Lawler, 2015

 

How It Started 

Beth and Andrew were social — but like many of us, they had become isolated. Their days were filled with work and screens. Nights were quiet: gym, dinner, TV, bed. They had Facebook (great for nostalgia), but mostly used it to scroll — not to connect.

 

The friendships they’d made through their children had faded. They had lived in town for years but didn’t really know their neighbors. They were very happily married — but lacking outside friendships. Something had to CHANGE.

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The Spark

In April 2015, Andrew discovered Montclair Watercooler Connections — a now-defunct Facebook group for local chatter. He posted a playful question: “Where in this town might I lay down the boogie?” The replies were fast and funny — and revealed that others, too, were craving connection. But soon, the thread fizzled out.

 

The Invite

On May 30, 2015, Andrew posted an open invitation on the Watercooler: “Come meet us for a drink tonight”. All 4,000 members on the watercooler site were invited. No one came. After a bunch of Fridays in a row, with no takers, Beth told him to stop, “You’re embarrassing us. No one is coming.”

 

But finally — someone did. On July 17, 2015, a man called Martin Schwartz walked into the bar and joined them for a drink. The next week, more people came. And the week after that — even more. And Just Like That... The Study Hall Gang was born.