61 Awesome Ways to Meet New Friends

Let’s face it: 

Making new friends can be tough. And not having friends around to keep you company can be quite lonely. 

Although it seems simple on the surface, nurturing a good friendship requires constant effort from both parties. Some people are able to do it naturally and effortlessly, while others are not so lucky.

If you feel like the latter, don’t worry. With a little bit of planning and consideration, you can expand your friend group with ease. 

On this page, you’ll find a list of the 61 best ways to meet new friends. Whether you’re naturally an introvert or just moved to a new town, we have something for everyone: 

61 Ways to Meet New Friends

1.) Join a Sports Club

Are you passionate about sports? If you are, then you already have a common interest with any hundreds of sports club members in your neighborhood! Sports are more than mere physical activities. They embody the spirit of teamwork, cooperation, and competition.

Nothing gets people riled up like seeing their favorite footballer score a spectacular finisher. 

Joining a sports club is one of the best ways for anyone, regardless of age, to make new friends. 

2.) Take a Trip to the Library

The library isn’t somewhere you would expect to find your next best friend. It’s a quiet place where people typically go to be alone, rather than with other people, right? While that is true, you’d be surprised at how good of a talking point books make. 

Books tell us thrilling, adventurous stories and teach us thoughtful, inspirational lessons. Having someone that shares the same imagination and love of reading is an ideal candidate for a friend.

3.) Hit the Gym

Hitting the gym improves your overall health, helps you get in better shape, and raises your confidence. But it’s also an excellent way to meet positive, like-minded people and become part of a community dedicated towards body improvement. A great tip to start a conversation in the gym is to ask someone to spot you or question them about their workout/diet plan.

4.) Volunteer For a Good Cause

If you’re looking to spend your time towards a good cause AND make some new friends, volunteering is the way to go. You will likely face zero difficulty finding the perfect volunteering opportunity; there is plenty of need for a helping hand! We suggest doing something related to what you’re already knowledgeable and passionate about.

5.) Ask Existing Friends for Introductions

This one puts many people off, but there’s no denying that it’s effective. In reality, many of our friends in life are formed via mutual contacts. A simple step you can take to increase your pool of friends is to have your existing ones introduce you to some new people. This can be done subtly and doesn’t have to feel out of place!

6.) Work on Self Improvement

If you’re struggling with making new friends and keeping the ones you have, this one’s for you. Many of us tend to unknowingly drive people away due to some negative traits, such as narcissistic behavior or lack of empathy.

Therefore, it’s crucial to reflect upon yourself and think of the things you could improve. Work on your confidence, amiability, trustworthiness, and independence. The process will help you gain self-awareness and create more rewarding and fruitful relationships throughout your life.

7.) Join a Class

Think of your childhood; where did you make all your friends back then? That’s right. At school. While we don’t go to school as adults, we can still take classes. You can also be very specific with what you want to study, so that’s a win-win situation. 

You can enroll in any class of your choice. However, choosing something you’re passionate about is your best bet at making friends; your passion and interest will show and reflect upon other learners.

8.) Learn a Language

Are you finding it hard to make friends because you just relocated to a new country and can’t converse with the locals? Well, if you intend on staying for a long period, you’ll have to put in some effort to learn the native language. Better sooner than later!

Learning a new language has tons of benefits as you come into contact with people in a similar situation, especially if you learn physically rather than digitally. 

9.) Visit a Bar

A bar is probably what first comes to mind when you think about meeting new people and making friends. Bars are ideal places to strike up a conversation out of the blue, and you’ll find many people who are also interested in making new friends. This age-old technique of getting to know more people at bars still works and is no less effective today.

10.) Local Social Media Groups

Local social media groups are a newer, more modern way to make friends. You can find people near you by joining groups on platforms such as Facebook and Reddit. If you’re looking for people with a specific interest, just enter the keyword in the search bar and you’ll find tons of groups in your neighborhood planning activities and meetups.

11.) Visit the Zoo

Visiting the zoo is an interesting way to make new friends. If you like animals, then you’ll enjoy the trip either way. And with some luck, you might even meet other animal enthusiasts near the enclosures. We all know that people with common interests are much more likely to get along and form friendships. 

12.) Partake in Festive Activities

Participating in festive activities is an excellent method of making friends with the same set of interests and taste in music. Festivals such as Coachella, The Burning Man, and Art Basel gather thousands of people from all over the U.S and offer attendees an excellent opportunity to socialize. 

13.) Try Local Restaurants

Local restaurants operate on a smaller scale. These restaurants tend to be much cozier, more comfortable, and relaxing. Interestingly, that also usually goes for their customer base. So the next time you want to dine out, consider going to a local restaurant instead of a well-established franchise, and you might be able to start a conversation with someone.

14.) Meet Your Neighbors

This is probably one of the first things you should do whenever you relocate. Your neighbors are among the most accessible people you can contact and interact with, so they’re great candidates for friends! Of course, you live next to them, so it really helps to be in their good graces whenever you need extra support.

15.) Join a Fan Club

Are you passionate about a celebrity, a TV show, or a sports team? Well, you can put that passion to good use by joining a fan club. Over there, you’ll find fun, engaging activities (many of which are social) and an abundance of people with similar interests. If you stick around for a while, we’ve no doubt you’ll make some new friends. 

16.) Go to a Concert

Concerts have become increasingly popular these days. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, things are returning to normal and people can’t wait to join social gatherings. If you’re looking for a vibrant, high-energy social setting, concerts are a must-try if you want to make friends over similar tastes in music.

17.) Join a Book Club

Reading does not get the credit it deserves. It’s great for your mental and emotional health and offers a plethora of other benefits. If you’re an avid fan of reading, why not join a Book Club? You’ll find like-minded people there who can appreciate your love for a certain author or category of novels. Details about book clubs are typically available online. 

18.) Visit a Gallery

This one’s for all the art enthusiasts out there. A trip to the art gallery can be an enjoyable, awe-inspiring day — but it can also help you meet individuals that appreciate art as much as you do. Artwork is also an excellent topic for discussion if you possess some interesting knowledge, so don’t hold back!

19.) Try Bumble BFF

Making friends has never been easier, especially when you have apps like Bumble BFF. You can create a profile within 5-minutes and add your interests to narrow-down the pool of friends. Once you’re done, the app will display hundreds of people in your town whom you can start a conversation with by swiping left or right. Plus, it guarantees safety before meeting up with someone in person.

20.) Visit a Museum

Museums can be a great place to make friends with people who appreciate culture and history. It’s always an interesting place to explore and stumble upon new friends that are willing to teach you about certain artifacts or paintings. Plus, you get to learn something new every time you visit and sometimes even cool merchandise.

21.) Take Your Dog to the Park

If you have a dog, you’re already at an advantage in the friendship game. Visit a dog park and you’ll likely find other dog owners with whom you can form a relationship. Dogs need social interactions just like humans, so you and your pet can both get a social experience out of your trip. 

22.) Join a Religious Club or Organization

If you’re a spiritual person, joining a religious club can lead you to interesting social encounters. Not only will you be participating in acts of virtue, but you’ll also meet other devout believers and learn lots of things along the way. Be it a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple — the hospitable community will welcome you with open arms. 

23.) Travels and Tours

If you’ve willing to meet people in your locality over a shared love for traveling, local tours are the way to go. There are hundreds of trips listed on Facebook in each city where you can sign up and explore important places with other travelers. Tours can also be quite adventurous and give you a break from your stressful 9-to-5 routine.

24.) Join a Professional Networking Group

Times have changed. People now fully recognize the value of networking and building contacts. Joining a professional networking group is not only a great career choice but also allows you to make friends in the right places. You can also boost your growth by deriving motivation and business ideas from people in professional networks.

25.) Participate in Yoga Sessions

Yoga is a great physical activity with benefits that are hard to overstate. It’s a great standalone activity to do on your own — but it’s even better when done with other people in a yoga class. You’ll meet friendly individuals looking to improve their mental and physical health, and plan lunch or other activities with them after your regular sessions.

26.) Get a Part-Time Job

If you’re not having much luck at your main gig, how about getting a part-time job? Not only can you make some extra cash on the side, but also form new friendships at your workplace. Most part-time workers are students full of enthusiasm and energy, and you’re more than likely to find a great group of people to hang out with. 

27.) Participate in Chat Rooms

Online chat rooms such as Omegle offer you the opportunity to meet and chat with people from all over the world. Most of these chat rooms are moderated, easily accessible, and make for an engaging social experience. You’ll meet some fascinating people and learn surprising details about the world. 

28.) Visit the Local Community Center

Local community centers, as the name implies, are built for the community. They’re built to facilitate the development of a more cohesive, robust community, so take full advantage of them for your social needs. At a community center, you’ll typically be exposed to various group activities, learn valuable information about your locality, and have the opportunity to engage in fruitful discussion. 

29.) Go Hiking

Hiking is an exciting physical activity that takes you off the grid and into the wild. You’ll meet tons of people along the track and be able to instantly form a connection over your shared love for exercise and nature. You don’t need to be in great shape to go on a hike, although it certainly helps; with a bit of digging, you’ll find hikes with varying difficulties and levels. 

30.) Take an Online Course

Online courses are the modern (and perhaps more efficient) way to acquire specialized education. A great benefit of these courses is that they often take place in a group, chat room, or discussion forum with your peers that you can use to introduce yourself and form a connection with fellow students.

31.) Opt for Local Stores

Going to a local store instead of a Walmart or Target offers you an opportunity to make friends in a more roundabout way. The main idea is similar to our earlier suggestion of going to small diners. These places are less crowded, but the people you do meet tend to be more relaxed and amiable.

32.) Develop New Hobbies and Interests

Having a bunch of hobbies and interests really helps in acquiring new friends. In fact, if you think about the friends you made in the past, chances are you met them because of similar interests. Indulging in some new hobbies can be a fun, enjoyable experience. How about trying something like gardening or fishing?

33.) Join a Debate Club

The thought of joining a debate club can be intimidating to some, especially introverts. However, the benefits are undeniable. You develop the ability to think and become more articulate, expressive, and persuasive — all traits that are useful to have in your daily life. As an added bonus, you’ll meet inspiring people and get to expand your knowledge. 

34.) Host a Party

This seemingly simple tactic is great for making new friends. And unlike mainstream media suggests, you don’t have to be a teenager or young adult to hold a successful party. Coming up with and managing the list of attendees can be a little hectic, so go for a smaller audience if it’s your first time hosting a party. 

35.) Tour Your Local Winery or Brewery

Alcohol is an everyday indulgence worldwide. People come together to celebrate their love for fine wine by forming clubs and touring famous wineries. If you share this passion and would like to meet other alcohol enthusiasts, go on one of these tours.

36.) Try Public Transit

Using public transit seems tiresome and unnecessary at first, especially if you already own an automobile. However, there are marked benefits to doing so. It’s cheaper, more eco-friendly, and you get to be around other people. While it isn’t the best place to start a conversation, you may encounter interesting people at the bus stand or on your route.

37.) Try Ridesharing

If you’re not comfortable using public transport, ridesharing is the next best thing. With apps like Uber and Lyft, the ridesharing industry is pretty big today. It’s affordable and convenient if you’re a customer, and you can make a decent money if you offer a ride to a passenger. 

Either way, you’ll meet some interesting people with interesting stories to tell.

 

38.) Try Multiplayer Games

Multiplayer games are one of the best ways to make friends online. The competitive or cooperative nature of these games yields itself perfectly to playing in groups and making new friends. If you’re a gamer, this can be the perfect way to expand your friend pool online. 

39.) Try Dating Apps

This may seem like a rather odd entry. Although dating apps are geared toward romantic relationships, their services nicely facilitate purely platonic friendships. People on dating apps are there because they want to get to know more people!

40.) Don’t Decline Invitations

Lastly, don’t decline the invitations you get unless you have a good reason. Declining a welcoming invitation reduces your chances of getting invited the next time, and this can snowball you into exclusivity and loneliness. Don’t feel pressured to attend an event if it’s not for you, but remember that making friends requires deliberate effort. 

Here are more ways to meet new friends:

Summary

Friendship is one of life’s greatest gifts, and it is only in its absence that we feel how valuable it truly is. We hope you enjoyed browsing through this collection and got a few ideas on how to make new friends. Some of our suggestions may be a little unorthodox, but don’t be afraid to try them out. It may be a little daunting at first, but that’s okay. Opportunities often present themselves in the places you least expect them to.