Going to the (virtual) pub. myself and two friends always met up on Thursday nights for an hour or so. A friend from Spain used to come too, if he was back in Ireland. A friend who moved Dublin was never there.
We have set up a Zoom conference for Thursday nights, and the 5 of us have a grand chat, and the drink is cheap.
Actually seeing each other makes a big difference to chats. It would not be the same with just voice. I'm very impressed by the Zoom software, it's free and displays the person talking full-screen, with the others in smaller windows. If you have anyone in your family/group that could benefit from a chat and a friendly face, give it a go. It works on windows, and smartphone.
(The usual, not affiliated, don't play one on TV etc. disclaimer).