This is what the British pub was. Short for “public house” it was another house you could go to when you did not want to be alone in your own house or wanted more company than your own family. Included cards, dice, dominos, darts, other games, sometimes a snooker table and often a piano to facilitate a “singalong.” I have always loved this clip explaining them to American soldiers.

I would say that individuals vary on the degree to which their default preference is “together” or “alone” but having a “local” that you can just go to and talk to people who know you is very beneficial. Being back pub culture.