Photography by Furbish Studio

Hi fellow phillumenists!

August has arrived, and this month we’re making our way to Lisbon, Portugal!

There’s something about Lisbon in the summer that makes it particularly easy to fall in love with. The city is full of warm evenings, tiled façades, winding streets, rooftop terraces, and that unmistakable golden light that seems to follow you from one neighborhood to the next. It’s the kind of place where a day of exploring can easily turn into a long lunch, a sunset drink, and a late dinner without ever feeling rushed.

For collectors, Lisbon is just as rewarding. The city has a wonderful mix of grand hotels, lively restaurants, tucked-away spaces, and beautifully designed interiors, making it a great place to keep your eyes open for those little paper souvenirs we’re always looking for.

A few of our stops this month include Hotel EPIC SANA Lisboa, where the matchbooks reflect the sleek, contemporary feel of the hotel, and Mama Shelter, whose playful interiors and lively atmosphere make it a particularly fun addition to the list.

Then there’s Sud Lisboa Terrazza, a spot that feels made for summer, with its terrace overlooking the Tagus and an atmosphere that encourages you to linger. JNcQUOI brings a completely different energy, pairing Lisbon dining with a glamorous, fashion-conscious aesthetic—and, of course, another matchbook worth adding to the collection.

For something a little more tucked away, Torel Boutique Palace is a beautiful stop. Set within a historic palace, the hotel has the kind of layered, eclectic character that makes Lisbon so special: old architecture, colorful details, and a sense that there’s always something new to notice.

What we love about collecting in Lisbon is that the matchbooks feel like little extensions of the city itself. They come from places that range from polished and contemporary to historic and intimate, and each one captures a slightly different side of Lisbon. Together, they make for a pretty great souvenir of a city that is difficult not to remember.

If you’re heading to Lisbon this summer, keep an eye out—and if you come across a matchbook we haven’t found yet, we’d love to see it! Send it our way and help us keep building the collection.

Enjoy the rest of summer, everyone! See you in September :)

xx Nadia & Alice

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Café Dan Turell matchbook - Copenhagen

Hi fellow phillumenists!

With July in full swing and summer officially underway, we’re heading across the Atlantic to Copenhagen, Denmark!

This month’s city matchbook list comes at the perfect time, as I just returned from Copenhagen two weeks ago after a summer trip filled with matchbook hunting and city exploring. I was lucky enough to experience Copenhagen during Midsommar celebrations and the European heatwave, with sunny skies and warm temperatures throughout the trip. It was the perfect backdrop for discovering the city’s cafés, hotels, and beautifully designed spaces, and gathering plenty of matchbook intel to share with the community.

Copenhagen in July has a rhythm all its own. The days stretch late into the evening, the city feels effortlessly alive, and there’s a beautiful balance between historic charm and contemporary design. Long afternoons by the canals, bike rides through quiet streets, refreshing dips in the harbor, and lingering outside well into the evening are all part of the summer experience here.

In Copenhagen, matchbooks often reflect the city’s understated approach to design and hospitality. At Hotel D’Angleterre, they carry a sense of timeless elegance, fitting naturally within one of the city’s most iconic addresses. At Café Dan Turrell, they feel connected to Copenhagen’s creative side, with a more relaxed and character-filled atmosphere. Inside Hotel Bella Grande, Donna’s matchbooks blend into the warm, eclectic energy of the space, where every detail feels carefully considered.

At Palmes, the matchbooks capture a more contemporary Copenhagen feeling, stylish yet approachable. And at 25hours Hotel, they feel right at home among the hotel’s playful design, bold interiors, and unexpected details that make the space memorable.

What makes Copenhagen especially exciting for collectors is the way the city treats design as part of everyday life. Nothing feels overly curated, yet every detail seems intentional. The matchbooks you find here reflect that same balance: some classic and refined, others playful and modern, but all connected to the places that create them.

As always, we’d love to see what you’re finding out there. If any Copenhagen matchbooks catch your eye this summer, send them our way. We’re always excited to share great discoveries with the community.

See you in August everyone! Happy summer!

xx Nadia & Alice

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J’s Oyster matchbook - Portland, Maine

Hi fellow phillumenists!

With the opening of the summer season and the beginning of June, we’re heading north to Portland, Maine!

The harbor feels brighter this time of year, while the air softens without losing that unmistakable Atlantic character. Across the city, life settles into an easy coastal rhythm. Long walks along the waterfront, golden evenings over the docks, and plans that naturally stretch later into the night all become part of the season.

In Portland, matchbooks tend to show up in those small, atmospheric moments that linger well beyond the night itself. At Smalls, they feel understated and quietly cool, the kind of detail that slips in after you’ve already decided you love the place. At J’s Oyster, they carry that classic harbor nostalgia, simple and unpretentious, tied closely to the waterfront in a way that feels unmistakably Portland.

At Blanche + Mimi, the matchboxes carry a thoughtful, curated feel. They become the kind of keepsake you rediscover weeks later and are instantly transported back. Up at Luna Rooftop Bar, they sit comfortably within the setting of city views, warm summer air, and refined design details, like they were always meant to be there. At Soleil, the feeling shifts entirely. Surrounded by a world of carefully chosen objects and considered design, the matchbox feels less like something to take away and more like a small collectible that naturally ends up coming home with you.

What makes Portland especially appealing to collectors is the way it balances rugged coastal charm with a quietly sophisticated creative culture. Nothing feels forced. The city has a natural confidence, and the matchbooks found here reflect that same spirit. Some are minimal and maritime, others are more expressive, but all feel deeply connected to their surroundings.

As always, we’d love to see what you’re finding out there. If any Portland matchbooks catch your eye this season, send them our way. We’re always excited to share great discoveries with the community.

See you in July everyone! Happy beginning of summer!

xx Nadia & Alice

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Photography by Justin Tsucalas - Baltimore magazine

Happy May fellow phillumenists!

Tomorrow we are hosting our second swap event in NYC at Pearl Box, a downtown hideaway with a sultry ‘70s vibe 🪩✨, from 5 to 7:30 pm. If you’re in New York and coming by, we can’t wait to see you swap, trade, and mingle with other matchbook collectors over drinks and good music!

As per our city matchbook list for this month, we are sharing a little Baltimore moment. With May in full swing, Baltimore feels like it’s really opening up. The harbor catches the light a bit later in the day, and the whole city seems to slow into a gentler rhythm across Fells Point, Mount Vernon, and Harbor East. It’s the kind of time when plans stretch out, conversations run long, and you don’t really feel rushed to move on.

In Baltimore, matchbooks tend to show up in those in-between moments that stick with you. At The Ruxton, they feel nostalgic but current, one of those details that quietly makes sense once you notice it. At Hotel Ulysses, they carry the same layered, slightly offbeat charm as the space itself, polished but a little playful. At Cece’s, they feel intimate and warm, like something you’d pocket without thinking at the end of a long night, while at Rec Pier they lean into that waterfront energy, social, sharp, and very tied to the city’s rhythm.

What makes Baltimore especially interesting for collectors is the way its contrasts live comfortably side by side. Historic architecture and new creative spaces don’t compete, they layer. And the matchbooks you find there tend to reflect exactly that. Some timeless and understated, others more design-forward, but all rooted in place.

As always, we’d love to see what you’re finding out there. If any Baltimore matchbooks catch your eye this season, send them our way, we’re always excited to share the good ones with the community!

Ta-ta for now! See you tomorrow New York :)

xx Nadia & Alice

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Hi fellow phillumenists!

We’re bringing the matchbook community together again at one of NYC’s grooviest spots — Pearl Box — a downtown hideaway with a sultry ‘70s vibe 🪩✨

Come swap, trade, and collect, and pick up a limited-edition Pearl Box retro matchbox produced by OH, WHAT A MATCH! just for the night!

Where: 📍 Pearl Box - 357 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013

When: 🗓️ Sunday, May 10 | 5.00–7.30 PM

🎟️ Free with RSVP via Partiful

🍸 1 drink minimum (Pearl Box is generously hosting us — let’s show them some love!)

💖 Every drink purchase comes with the limited-edition flip top Pearl Box matchbox produced by OH, WHAT A MATCH!

🔥 Plus: free OWAM branded non-flammable matchbooks as takeaways for all guests

🍬 🚬 Gummies and candy cigs in the mix for that sweet, nostalgic hit

Think low lights, velvet sofas, and a little disco energy. Bring your doubles, meet your people, stay awhile.

See you there,

xx Alice & Nadia

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Photography by Hotel Bardo - Bar Bibi, Savannah

Happy Easter, fellow phillumenists!

As Ray Charles once said, “Georgia on My Mind.” This April, Georgia is very much on ours as we highlight Atlanta and Savannah in their spring moment, when the season settles in and the South moves into a slower, more open rhythm.

Easter settles softly over the region, and both Atlanta and Savannah stretch into a gentler cadence. Plans linger, meals run long, and the light shifts in a way that brings everything into softer focus.

In Atlanta, the city still hums, just with a more relaxed energy. Neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, and Inman Park feel open and composed. Patios fill at their own pace, interiors feel carefully put together, and hospitality moves with quiet intention. Matchbooks tend to appear in these in-between moments, at the host stand or at the end of a meal, never forced but always present. At places like Bacchanalia and Canoe, they feel in step with the room itself, refined and thoughtfully designed. At Iberian Pig, they carry a more social, lived-in feel, while at Bar Margot they match the polished, contemporary tone of the space. Each one becomes less of an object and more of a small reminder of the experience.

Savannah moves differently. The city’s historic squares are in full bloom, framed by live oaks and softened by spring light filtering through the trees. Church bells mark the hours, and the overall pace feels steady and unhurried. At Hotel Bardo, the matchbooks reflect a layered, design-forward setting that feels very much of the moment, while places like The Grey carry a coastal sensibility where matchbooks tend to feel timeless and grounded. At Alligator Soul, the matchbooks echo the tucked-away nature of the space itself, intimate and rooted in tradition, much like a classic Southern eatery where warmth and familiarity quietly shape the experience.

For collectors, both cities offer meaningful stops that go beyond the meal itself. The matchbooks found along the way often end up being the most lasting trace of a visit.

As always, we would love to hear from you. If you come across any standout Atlanta or Savannah matchbooks this Easter season, send them our way. We would be glad to share them with the community.

See you later alligator!

xx Nadia & Alice

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Photography by Hotel Peter & Paul, New Orleans

How ya doing fellow phillumenists!

Carnival has officially wrapped in New Orleans. The final parade has passed, the costumes are packed away, and the city has shifted out of spectacle mode. What remains is a quieter, more intimate version of The Birthplace of Jazz and Louis Armstrong. Beads still hang from balconies in the French Quarter, and flecks of confetti linger along the sidewalks, subtle traces of weeks spent in full celebration.

This post Mardi Gras moment offers a different perspective. Dining rooms feel less crowded, bar stools open up, and conversations stretch without interruption from passing brass bands. It is a return to nuance. The room hums at a lower frequency, details coming back into focus. Linen napkins, polished wood, the clink of ice in a heavy glass. Eyes linger on the matchbooks at the hostess stand, a small, deliberate ritual that signals the evening has begun.

For those collecting along the way, the city’s staples remain essential stops. Commander’s Palace continues to set the standard for Creole tradition, and its matchbooks are as iconic as the dining room itself. At Arnaud’s, a well made cocktail and a timeless interior make for an easy addition to any collection. Napoleon House offers a more relaxed setting, ideal for lingering once the streets have cleared. And at Clancy’s, Uptown hospitality and polished Louisiana classics provide a refined close to the evening.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. If you come across any standout NOLA matchbooks, send them our way. We’d love to share them with the community.

See you in the Spring (finally!)

xx Nadia & Alice

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Hi there fellow phillumenists!

Valentine’s Day is upon us and we’re celebrating with two lovely deals!

💌 1. Substack Valentine’s Day Sale

For a limited time only, we’re offering 15% off for 12 months on our Substack membership.

Unlock all of our city matchbook lists, interactive maps, collector insights, and every drop coming in 2026.

Offer valid until February 9th.

🛒 2. Website Valentine’s Day Sale

We’re also offering 15% off sitewide on all orders over CHF 90 with code VALENTINE15 at checkout — plus FREE shipping.

Offer valid until February 9th.

Availability:

• The Phillumenist Collection: U.S., Europe, UK & Switzerland

• The Matchbook Print Collection: U.S., UK & Switzerland

Collect, discover, display — we’ve bundled it all.

xx Nadia & Alice

P.S. Thanks for being part of this very matchbook-obsessed community — we love having you here <3

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Photography by Michael Klein, Angeloni’s Club Madrid matchbooks

Happy New Year, fellow phillumenists!

January arrives with new challenges, asking us to brave a full East Coast snowstorm and face the season head-on. Snow is coming down fast, streets are quiet, and New Jersey — our highlight city this month — feels momentarily paused beneath layers of white. It’s the kind of weather that makes small comforts stand out, especially the matchbooks worth saving.

New Jersey has its own kind of charm in a storm like this. Restaurants glow warmly against the snow, bar windows fog up as wet coats pile by the door, and Shore towns settle into a calmer, more introspective version of themselves. It’s the season for stepping inside, warming up, and savoring the simple rituals that make winter nights feel special. Candlelight, hearty meals, coffee at a late-night diner, the familiar flick of a match, and a Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons record spinning softly in the background.

After the storm has passed and the streets are dusted in fresh snow, these New Jersey spots are perfect for lingering over winter evenings. Warm up at Sorellina or Sirenetta with comforting Italian fare and soft candlelight, and be sure to grab a matchbook on your way out. Stop by Dear Maude or The Brass Rail for a cocktail while the air still carries the hush of the snowfall — the matches here are as memorable as the night. Olea Restaurant & Lounge offers a quiet, elegant retreat from the cold, and Char Steakhouse invites you to settle in for a long, unhurried dinner after venturing out into the crisp, post-storm air. For a touch of weekend fun, Caesars in Atlantic City adds a dash of boardwalk glamour, where the roll of the dice and the city lights are captured in a tiny keepsake of bold winter nights.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. If you come across any standout Jersey matchbooks, send them our way. We’d love to share them with the community.

Here’s to a bright beginning to 2026, to the calm that always follows the storm, and to countless little sparks waiting to be found and cherished.

Stay warm,

xx Nadia & Alice

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Photography by Nick Fouquet - Aspen

Happy holidays fellow phillumenists!

Is there really a better way to welcome Christmas, and slide into the New Year, than by chasing crackling fires, après-ski cocktails, and a pocketful of Aspen matchbooks?

Christmas Day in Aspen unfolds like a living snow globe. The air smells of pine and fireplace smoke, the peaks sit quietly under fresh white blankets, and the town glows with soft, golden light. There’s an effortless rhythm to it all: fur-trimmed coats brushing past candlelit bars, glasses clinking after a day on the slopes, cowboy boots crunching through fresh powder. Festive, yes, but never forced. Just right for lingering, warming up, and seeing where the matchbook spark still flickers.

Start at Limelight Hotel, where Aspen energy hums from morning coffee to late-night après. Ski boots mingle with champagne flutes, and their matchboxes, which we were lucky enough to produce, feel clean, modern, and perfectly collectible. The kind you tuck away after one last drink, only to rediscover months later. Nearby, Hotel Jerome anchors the town with unmistakable presence. Steeped in history and old-world charm, its matchbooks feel just as enduring: classic, substantial, and worthy of keeping.

Western flair takes center stage at Nick Fouquet, Aspen’s modern take on American frontier style. Come to browse, stay to pick up a custom hat, and don’t miss their retro feature matchbooks, available for purchase and curated with the same bold, unmistakable point of view as the shop itself. As evening settles in, Casa Tua becomes a refuge from the cold. Italian comfort dishes, glimmering candlelight, hushed conversations, and matchboxes that feel understated and elegant, perfectly suited for long winter dinners.

After dinner, the velvet-lined allure of Caribou Club calls. Members-only and endlessly atmospheric, it’s the kind of place where evenings stretch late. Their matchbooks, when you spot them, feel personal and elusive, mementos of nights that slip easily into morning. Clark’s Oyster Bar offers a brighter tempo: polished yet lively, with seafood towers gleaming against dark wood. The matchbooks follow suit, crisp, classic, and quietly cool. For something calmer, Mollie Hotel delivers Scandinavian serenity with an Aspen soul, where soft textures and thoughtful design extend to matchbooks that feel minimal, intentional, and deeply homey.

December reshapes Aspen into something quietly magical. Snowy mornings give way to shimmering nights; Western roots meet holiday glamour; small-town ease blends seamlessly with high-altitude polish. The matchbooks capture it all, playful yet elegant, luxurious without stiffness, tiny paper keepsakes from a town that knows how to do winter.

This Christmas Day, we’re raising a glass to long après conversations, fires that crackle well past midnight, and matchbooks slipped into furry coat pockets beside lift tickets and SPF lip balms. Just a small spark to remember the season.

Before we wrap up, we want to thank you for being part of this community of matchbook collectors and for making this past year such a marvelous one. From shared finds to thoughtful messages and growing this hobby together, we’re endlessly grateful.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. If you come across any standout matchbooks in The Silver Queen, send them our way so we can keep building the list and sharing it with the community.

Wishing you the warmest holiday season and best wishes for a prosperous 2026!

See you next year everyone ;)

xx Nadia & Alice

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Hi there fellow phillumenists!

Black Friday–Cyber Monday has officially landed at OH, WHAT A MATCH! — and we’re celebrating with two major deals!

💌 1. Substack BFCM Sale

For a limited time only, we’re offering 20% off for 12 months on our Substack membership.

Unlock all of our city matchbook lists, interactive maps, collector insights, and every drop coming in 2026.

Offer valid until December 6th.

And a little teaser… our December city matchbook list drop is Aspen — a pocket-sized world of luxe lodges, iconic bars, and snowy-night matchbook magic. ❄️

🛒 2. Website Holiday Sale

We’re also offering 20% off sitewide on all orders over CHF 100 with code HOLIDAY20 at checkout — plus FREE shipping.

Offer valid until December 5th.

Availability:

• The Phillumenist Collection: U.S., Europe, UK & Switzerland

• The Matchbook Print Collection: U.S., UK & Switzerland

Don’t miss your chance to unlock everything — from maps and lists to prints and collector pieces.

xx Nadia & Alice

P.S. Thank you for being part of our growing matchbook-obsessed community! <3

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Vintage Space Needle Restaurant matchbox - Seattle

Hi fellow phillumenists!

We’re still riding the high from our OWAM Phillumenist Swap Event we threw at Pietro Nolita in New York City two weeks ago, our biggest community moment yet :) More than 90 people RSVP’d and over 70 collectors showed up in person to trade, meet, and support the restaurant. With every drink purchase came the exclusive flip-top Pietro Nolita matchbox we produced, which instantly became a very chic and hot collectible within the matchbook community.

We can’t wait to host more of these collectors meetups in NYC, across the U.S., throughout Europe, and hopefully all over the world. If you want to be the first to know about future swaps and gatherings, join our Substack Chat and/or our Phillumenist Channel on our Instagram bio.

Carrying the lingering glow of NYC with us, we’re now drifting northwest into Seattle’s November spell — all mist, mood, and quiet texture. With Thanksgiving approaching, the air turns woodsy and wet, and everything softens under a muted grey sky. It’s the season for slipping into warm spaces and discovering where the matchbook magic still lives.

Start your wander in Belltown at Bar Sur Mer, a briny little hideaway offering oysters, conservas, crisp white wine — the purest form of Pacific Northwest minimalism. Their matchbooks also echo that energy: clean and coastal.

Head over to South Lake Union, where Willmott’s Ghost serves Roman pizza under the rosy glow of pink marble and the looming Amazon Spheres. The branding is polished yet lush; exactly the kind of matchbook you slide into your bag like a tiny design object.

If you’re in the mood for something louder, Unicorn on Capitol Hill delivers full carnival chaos, with neon lights, fried delights, and cocktails that feel like a dare. When their matchbooks surface, they’re just as bold: loud, kitschy, and extremely collectible. For a treasure-hunting vibe, Hoste, the vintage store tucked into Capitol Hill, is full of curated finds and nostalgic charm. Their matchbooks feel like little retro gems; perfect to pocket while you explore.

Then there are the classics. The Pink Door, tucked into Pike Place Market, all candlelit corners, trapeze performers, and that irresistible old-world-meets-Seattle edge. Their feature matchbooks capture the essence of Italy itself, classy and romantic. And up in Phinney Ridge, Cornuto Pizzeria keeps things neighborly with great wood fire pizza and easy matchbooks.

In Seattle, rain, neon, and comfort all speak in harmony. Its matchbooks echo that mix — a bit of harbor grit, a bit of clean design — shaped by that subtle Sleepless in Seattle mood that lingers in the drizzle and gives even the smallest object a certain weight.

As Thanksgiving rolls in, we’re toasting to the people we love, the meals that bring us together, and the matchbooks that capture our days like little souvenirs of moments worth holding onto.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. If you’ve spotted any great matchbooks around the Emerald City, send your finds our way so we can keep growing the list and sharing them with the community.

We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by the love of family & friends <3

See you in December, fellas!

xx Nadia & Alice

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Hi fellow phillumenists!

We’re bringing the matchbook community together at one of NYC’s most iconic spots — the (formerly pink) Pietro Nolita, now glowing in its new Pinot palette 💕🍷

Join us for an evening of swapping, trading, and collecting — and get your hands on the limited-edition flip top Pietro Nolita matchbox produced by OH, WHAT A MATCH! especially for this event!

Where:📍 Pietro Nolita - 174 Elizabeth St, NYC

When: 🗓️ Saturday, November 8 | 5.30–7.30 PM

🎟️ Free with RSVP

🍸 1 drink minimum (Pietro Nolita is generously hosting us — let’s show them love!)

💖 Every drink purchase comes with the limited-edition flip top Pietro Nolita matchbox produced by OH, WHAT A MATCH!

🔥 Plus: free OWAM branded non-flammable matchbooks as takeaways for all guests!

Bring your doubles, meet fellow collectors, and celebrate the art of phillumeny in true New York style.

Can’t wait to see you there!

xx Alice & Nadia

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Photography by Lafayette Hotel - CH Projects

Hello fellow phillumenists!

October’s winding down, and as Halloween comes closer, we’re heading west to San Diego, where autumn hits a little differently. The air’s warm but tinted with that fall glow, the ocean still hums, and the nights start to carry just enough mystery to make you want to linger a little longer. It’s the perfect time to explore, unwind, and see which spots are still keeping the matchbook flame alive.

Start at The Lafayette Hotel, a newly reimagined icon from CH Projects where Colonial-style architecture meets poolside cool. Their matchbooks nod to the hotel’s golden-era of rock’n’roll glamour — bold, a little retro, and perfect to stash away after a cocktail at the pool bar. Just across town, Quixote, also a CH Projects creation, turns up the drama with tequila-heavy cocktails and dim, moody lighting that suits the season. Their matchbooks mirror the vibe: colorful, eclectic, and impossible not to pocket.

If dinner’s on the agenda, Juniper & Ivy delivers California creativity with a sharp edge, while Seneca Trattoria (perched above the InterContinental and another CH Projects spot) pairs ocean views with Italian charm. Both spots occasionally keep sleek, minimalist matchbooks that feel just as designed as their dishes. Over in Mission Hills, Starlite is a locals’ favorite, wood-paneled, unpretentious, and quietly cool — the kind of place where you can actually imagine lighting one of those matches at the bar. And don’t miss Paradisaea in Bird Rock: equal parts tropical and refined, their branding (and their matchbooks) feel like summer’s final encore.

In San Diego, surf wax and supper clubs somehow speak the same language. The matchbooks echo that mix — part laid-back beach charm, part polished city edge — little souvenirs of a place that’s always both relaxed and refined.

With Halloween weekend in the air, here’s to what’s left of long sunsets, easy laughter, and matchbooks that hold the last spark of summer.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. If you’ve spotted any great matchbooks around Daygo, send them our way so we can keep growing the list and share them with the community.

Catch you in November!

xx Nadia & Alice

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Photography by Match South - Superica, Nashville

Hey y’all fellow phillumenists!

This month we’re turning the spotlight on Nashville, a city where music drifts out of every doorway, nights stretch longer than you planned, and matchbooks slip right into the rhythm of it all. September in Nashville hits different: long golden afternoons, cooler nights rolling in, and a city that never really turns the volume down. Here, the matchbook isn’t just a keepsake—it’s part of the rhythm, tucked into denim pockets alongside ticket stubs and scribbled set lists.

Start your day at Fast Times, where the coffee’s strong and the vibe is straight out of a ‘70s record sleeve. Then dig around Black Shag Vintage, half shop, half time machine, and the kind of place where a matchbook feels like it belongs next to a leather jacket and worn-in boots.

When the lights dim, Nashville’s tables start telling stories. Superica is all about smoky Tex-Mex energy, while Le Loup does French elegance with a Southern drawl. Pelato keeps things bold and comforting, and The Iberian Pig delivers flavor with a little edge. Skinny Dennis, tucked just off Broadway, is perfect for live music and cocktails, and their matchbooks capture that classic saloon energy.

And then there’s 888, the new Japanese kid with a lot of buzz. Think slick design, cocktails with personality, and matchbooks that collectors will be hunting for before long. Proof that in Nashville, the culture isn’t just alive—it’s evolving.

This city has always thrived on contrasts, honky-tonk grit rubbing up against late-night glamour, and the matchbooks follow suit. Some are polished, some are raw, all of them worth pocketing.

So here’s to September nights in Nashville: live riffs spilling out of doorways, whiskey glasses clinking, and a few matchbooks tucked away to remind you that you were here for it.

As always, we can’t wait to hear from you—tell us where you’ve found matchbooks in Nashville so we can keep building (and expanding) this list together.

Peace out and see ya in October!

xx Nadia & Alice

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Hello fellow phillumenists!

August is here, and this month we’re trading striped umbrellas and coastal breezes for neon glow and desert heat. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas!—a city built on spectacle, sequins, and late nights where even something like a tiny matchbook could steal the spotlight.

Vegas is a place where every table, stage, and bar hums with energy—and where phillumeny history holds a special place in the story. In the golden age, casinos handed out stacks of matches like calling cards—each one a little ticket to the night’s glamour. Sinatra, the Rat Pack, and showgirls all had their place in the mythology, and if you were lucky, you left with a pocketful of matchbooks to prove it. Today, the tradition lives on: from iconic casinos to hidden cocktail lounges, the city does collecting like it does everything else—big, bold, and unforgettable.

Start with a martini at Cipriani at Wynn, where Italian elegance meets Vegas shine. Slip into Le Cirque or Prime Steakhouse at Bellagio—matchbooks here carry the same quiet luxury as the casino floors buzzing with Blackjack and Roulette.

On the Strip, The Cosmopolitan keeps things playful and chic, with Beauty & Essex, Blue Ribbon, and The Chandelier all offering designs worth pocketing. Aria and Jean Georges stay sleek, while Jewel Nightclub proves matchbooks still belong to nightlife.

Downtown, Binion’s, Four Queens, El Cortez, and the Plaza are pure time capsules—gritty, vintage, and true to old Vegas. And for the unexpected? Frankie’s Tiki Room, a tropical escape, and Double Down Saloon, where the punk spirit burns bright.

Whether you’re rolling dice, catching a show, or just sipping cocktails under desert stars, we hope this Sin City edit sparks some inspiration (and maybe a new matchbook or two to add to your collection).

And as always—scan the counters, the trays, even the nooks and corners; sometimes the best matchbooks are hiding in plain view.

If you’ve come across something special in Las Vegas, share it with us—we love seeing the city through your discoveries, and your tips keep this series alive.

Here’s to sparkling evenings, unexpected wins, and a handful of matchbooks as bright as the Strip.

See ya in September!

xx Nadia & Alice

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Photography by OH, WHAT A MATCH! - Senequier, St. Tropez

Bonjour dear phillumenists!

Euro Summer is in full swing—and what better place to soak it all in than the dreamy, sun-drenched towns of the French Riviera? July is here, and with it comes long lunches under striped umbrellas, the hum of vintage scooters winding through hillside villages, and—if you’re lucky—a perfectly designed matchbook tucked into your tote by day’s end.

This month we’re heading to one of our favorite regions: the French Riviera. From the polished buzz of Monte Carlo to the painterly calm of Saint Paul de Vence, and the coastal ease of Antibes to the party-splashed glamour of St.Tropez, this stretch of France just knows how to do summer. And yes, it knows how to do matchbooks too.

St.Tropez is all about a certain kind of slowness—the good kind. Begin your morning with an espresso at Sénéquier, watching the marina slowly come to life. At Le Club 55, sun and salt linger on your skin while the rosé flows endlessly—keep an eye out for their matchbooks, often slipped discreetly into the check tray. Over at Loulou Ramatuelle, style and seaside chic meet perfectly in their playful, collectible matchbooks. And don’t skip Hôtel La Ponche—elegant and tucked away, it feels like stepping into a quieter time, with matchbooks to match.

Monte Carlo dials up the elegance. At the legendary Hôtel de Paris, everything gleams—from marble floors to the polished matchbooks by the bar. Vesta, sleek and buzzy, captures the new spirit of Monaco and features matchbooks we’ve proudly designed. And Twiga, with its ultra-glam setting, is also on our list of upcoming collabs. They’re expanding fast, with new locations opening this summer in Italy’s Liguria, Sardegna, and Versilia.

Antibes and Saint Paul de Vence are slower, full of soul. At the iconic Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, everything is understated luxury—right down to the timeless matchbooks you might find near the concierge. Then there’s La Colombe d’Or in Saint Paul de Vence, where artists like Picasso and Miró once paid their tabs with paintings. Their matchbooks, much like the inn itself, are humble and poetic—a true piece of history in your pocket.

Whether you're boarding a flight or staying local with a chilled glass of rosé, we hope this little French Riviera edit brings you some inspiration (and maybe a new matchbook to dream about). And as always—check the tray, peek behind the bar, look near the espresso cups. Magic is often hiding in plain sight.

If you’ve found something beautiful along the Riviera, share it with us. We love hearing from you, and your tips keep this series à la mode.

Wishing you sunny moments, easy evenings, and a handful of très chic French matchbooks to treasure.

Bisous bisous <3

xx Nadia & Alice

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Photography by OH, WHAT A MATCH! - Cecconi’s, Barcelona

Hola dear phillumenists!

Euro Summer is officially here—and with it, that unmistakable pull to soak in long evenings, sip something cold under bougainvillea-covered terraces, and, of course, hunt for beautiful matchbooks along the way. This month of June, we’re highlighting two of Spain’s most iconic cities: Barcelona and Madrid. Even though this is a short list, it’s full of under-the-radar gems and exclusive finds that make it all the more special.

Barcelona and Madrid are two cities with totally different energies—Barcelona feels laid-back and coastal, Madrid is sharp and cosmopolitan—but both are rich with design-forward bars, buzzy restaurants, and boutique hotels that don’t skip the details. Including the kind we’re after: well-made, collectible matchbooks that capture the vibe of the place in one little box.

Start in Barcelona, where you can stroll through the Gothic Quarter in full Euro Summer mode—linen on, sunglasses out, ice-cold Sangria in hand. For matchbook lovers, Cecconi’s Barcelona, tucked inside Soho House, is a must: they offer a sleek, minimalist matchbook that perfectly matches their polished Italian-meets-Mediterranean vibe. Another standout is the award-winning cocktail bar Dr. Stravinsky, hidden down a narrow alleyway in El Born. Not only is their cocktail list wildly inventive, but they also offer branded matchbooks that feel just as thoughtful and design-driven as their drinks.

In Madrid, the city turns up the heat—especially in summer when the streets stay alive long after dark. One of the most exciting stops for phillumenists is Casa Salesas, a chic spot offering brunch, cocktails, and dinners in a beautifully designed space that comes alive with live DJ sessions every night. For a stylish dinner-and-drinks spot, head to Llama Inn—the NYC favorite now has a Madrid outpost with bold interiors, an innovative menu, and beautifully designed matchbooks to take home as souvenirs.

Whether Spain is your next stop or just a daydream on your wanderlust wishlist, we hope this inspires your next Euro Summer stop. And like always, stay on the lookout! Some of the best matchbooks appear where you least expect them—resting on a cocktail tray, peeking out from the front desk, or slipped alongside your espresso bill.

Let us know if you’ve spotted anything good in Barcelona or Madrid—we love hearing from you, and your tips help us keep this series up and running.

Wishing you lots of golden hours, late dinners, and a pocket full of stylish European match designs.

Besitosss xx

Nadia & Alice

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