Meet Ofeliya & Cristie | Co-founders of The Social Hour

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ofeliya & Cristie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ofeliya & Cristie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Once we reached our mid-twenties, we started noticing how difficult it had become to make genuine connections. Outside of college, the only places we were meeting people were at work or in the bathroom line at bars (lol!). We also noticed that most of the events we attended didn’t cater to our age group or life stage, which made it hard to connect meaningfully. And after COVID, people became even more reliant on apps and technology for social interaction, leaving fewer opportunities to connect face-to-face. We both love creating spaces for people to come together, and it felt natural for us to build something that filled that gap.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Social Hour is a social club designed specifically for people in their mid-20s to 30s. Our monthly events create space for authentic connection, new friendships, and memorable experiences. What sets us apart is our intentional focus on community—we don’t just bring people together, we also highlight the local businesses and artists that make our city special. By featuring them at our events, we introduce our audience to people and places they may not have discovered otherwise.

We feel the most proud and fulfilled when we see people genuinely connecting and being present. Those moments—when strangers become friends or someone tells us they really needed a night like that—solidifies why we do what we do.

Starting The Social Hour wasn’t easy. We jumped in headfirst without realizing how much time and energy it would take to build something from the ground up. One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is how important it is to protect time for ourselves, our friendship, and our business. Prioritizing personal well-being helps prevent burnout and keeps the work enjoyable. We’ve also learned how to balance being friends and business partners—clear communication and mutual respect have been key. When it comes to partnerships, we’ve found that you can’t over-communicate your vision—clarity upfront prevents confusion later.

At the heart of it all, we genuinely care about every person’s experience. Our events are designed to spark connection, joy, and presence. We hope people leave feeling uplifted, seen, and already looking forward to the next one!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1:
    •    Morning: Kick off with a coffee and bagel at PorchLight Coffee in Pacific Beach.
    •    Afternoon: Walk the Mission Beach Boardwalk—rent bikes or just people-watch with ocean views.
    •    Evening: Head to Shore Club for a casual sunset, beachside dinner, and a signature vodka Red Bull slushy.

Day 2:
    •    Morning: Brunch at The Mission in Downtown
    •    Afternoon: Spend the day exploring the San Diego Zoo and/or Balboa Park’s gardens and museums.
    •    Evening: Sunset cocktails and small plates at Altitude Rooftop Bar in Downtown.

Day 3:
    •    Morning: Take the ferry to Coronado Island; grab brunch at a local café.
    •    Afternoon: Lounge on Coronado Beach, then stroll the Hotel Del Coronado grounds.
    •    Evening: Head back to the city and enjoy rooftop dining at Lumi in Downtown.

Day 4:
    •    Morning: Brunch at Cafe 21.
    •    Afternoon: Pre-game drinks and bites at Casa Octavio, then cheer on the Padres at Petco Park.
    •    Evening: Rooftop drinks at The Nolen to wind down or keep the night going.

Day 5:
    •    Morning: Head to La Jolla for a scenic brunch (try The Cottage or Brockton Villa).
    •    Afternoon: Visit La Jolla Cove to see the sea lions and walk the coastline.
    •    Evening: Grab rooftop cocktails at Birdseye for panoramic sunset views.

Day 6:
    •    Morning: Grab an early brunch and then head to a Brewed Beats event hosted by The Social Hour and enjoy good music and great people.
    •    Afternoon: Chill at the hotel or explore some hidden gems downtown.
    •    Evening: Get In-N-Out drive-thru for something quick and iconic and enjoy our food at Sunset Cliffs for sunset.

Day 7:
    •    Morning: Brunch at Malibu Farms for a view
    •    Afternoon: Relax/tan at the beach
    •    Evening: Toast to the end of an amazing week at where it all started, Shoreclub and then grab some ice cream at Bakedbear for our nightcap.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We couldn’t have done this without the unwavering love and support from our family and our close friends who have believed in us and our vision from the very beginning!

Website: https://the-social-hour.flite.city

Instagram: @TheSocialHourSD

Image Credits
Britta Wichary, Garrett Lansdown, & Roman Podria