There’s no doubt, bars are one of the easiest and most common places to meet new people and make friends. But sometimes you get tired of them: if you’re no longer in your twenties, if you’re looking for places to make friends that are different from the usual, if most social networks have worn you out, here are 18 ideas on where to go to make friends or if you’re trying to meet someone new.
Discover all Meeters events to meet new friends here >>
Where to Meet New People
18 Places to Make Friends
At the Park with Your Dog
One of the best places to make friends, especially if you have a dog, is the park: in the area reserved for four-legged friends, you can meet other owners. Movie lovers to exchange recommendations with, people who surely share your passion for animals and the outdoors, the park is an ideal place to meet new friends who think like you.
You won’t even have the awkwardness of breaking the ice: your furry companions will do the honors!
Moreover, the park offers a relaxed and informal environment that facilitates conversations. While the dogs play together, their owners can chat about various topics, exchanging experiences and advice not only about animals but also about books, movies, travel, and much more. Daily walks become recurring appointments that strengthen bonds and create a small community.
It’s not uncommon for these friendships born between a ball throw and a wild run to extend beyond the park, turning into shared dinners, day trips, and, why not, lasting friendships. In an increasingly hectic world, the park represents a breath of fresh air not only for our four-legged friends but also for us, offering moments of genuine and carefree socializing.
At a Local Sports Club
Are you a fan or passionate about sports?
Whether you play sports like five-a-side soccer or tennis, watch it on TV, or are in love with a local team, sports are one of the greatest bonds between people: they cement friendships, make it possible to meet people of different ages, all united by a genuine passion for basketball, cycling, fishing, or hockey.
Whatever you like, you’ll find new friends ready to share it with you. Why not give it a try?
Through the Galleries of an Art Museum
Among the places to make friends is also the museum! During group guided tours, you can meet interesting people and invite them for a relaxed coffee once the visit is over.
And if contemporary art isn’t your thing? There are historical museums, archaeological ones, war museums, science museums: curiosity knows no bounds!
How to Make New Friends: At a Reading in a Local Bookstore or Library
This is certainly a way to spend an evening differently, in company, without the pressure of having to socialize but knowing you have the chance to chat and share opinions with someone who attended the reading or presentation.
At a Language Course After Work
Where to go to make friends? School, of course!
A language course is useful for your present and future, but above all, it connects you with new people and helps you make new acquaintances.
You can meet new people during the course, chat to practice the language during lessons, and then suggest grabbing a beer together as soon as class ends!
And don’t forget: learning new languages opens the door to meeting more people, even when you travel!
Besides language courses, there are many other opportunities to socialize and make friends. For example, join a club or association that reflects your personal interests, like a book club, sports club, or cultural association. Attending local events such as fairs, festivals, or themed evenings can be a great way to meet people who share your passions.
Volunteering is also an excellent option: it offers the chance to contribute to the community while creating meaningful bonds with people who share your values. Remember, making friends requires some initiative and openness to new experiences, but the social and personal benefits are definitely worth it!
At the Yoga Class You Finally Decided to Join
After work, when you disconnect your body from the office but your mind still seems trapped there, there’s nothing better than immersing yourself in a completely different, spiritual environment that brings peace with yourself but also allows you to open up to others in a new way.
Including a yoga class among places to make friends might seem bold, but there are activities specifically organized to share different moments of the practice: from the more meditative to those that connect people. There are also special retreats to meet new people passionate about the practice, no matter their level.
At the Climbing Gym
Have you started going once a month to work your triceps? Good, but to meet new people you’ll need more consistency: the local climbing gym is perfect for finding sporty friends by bouldering or climbing the wall with a partner.
Most groups that go climbing in the mountains formed just like this!
At an Improv Theater Course
Have you started attending a theater course without telling any of your friends? Great move! The new acquaintances you make will be fun, maybe a bit over the top, or perhaps trying to overcome their shyness through stage improvisation.
In any case, theater is absolutely one of those places to explore to make friends and meet new people outside your usual circle. It will be fun and surprising!
At the Food Cooperative
Natural and organic food delivered straight to your home is a priceless luxury.
But the great thing about these buying groups and food cooperatives is that they involve the local community. There are shifts to pick up and distribute goods: you make friends united by a passion for genuine food, get to know local producers, and serve the community.
Truly nothing better to gain many satisfactions in one action.
On a Last-Minute Trip You Decided to Book for Yourself
Meeting people while traveling to a new place? Absolutely possible and highly recommended.
Traveling alone and joining weekend or weekly organized programs is a perfect way to discover new cities or natural spots with other friendly people.
Once the group forms, you won’t want to part ways and it will feel like you’ve been friends for a lifetime!
At the Photography Course You Signed Up For
Want to finally learn how to use your new camera? Dive into the course! You can then practice by going on a tripphotographing breathtaking landscapes or taking great portraits of the new people you meet as you develop this shared passion together.
It will be easy and inspiring to find new friends at photography school.
At an Organized Dinner
Did you know there’s a chance to go to an organized dinner without knowing anyone and come home with several new friendships under your belt?
Shyness can be a barrier, but with facilitators animating the evening, it will be easy to form a group. Try this new experience: meeting people during an informal dinner not far from home requires little effort but could give back something very precious.
On a Kayak Outing
Let’s try to be original, shall we? Have you ever thought about kayaking? If you wonder where to go to make friends, well, among the most exciting outdoor sports, nature definitely includes this, especially if you’re looking for others passionate about adventure and outdoor activities.
Kayaking is not just a sport but a truly immersive experience that lets you connect with the surrounding nature. Imagine gliding silently on a crystal-clear lake early in the morning, with mist slowly rising from the water, or tackling the rapids of a wild river, feeling adrenaline rush through your veins.
Every kayak outing is a new adventure, an opportunity to discover pristine places and see wildlife from a unique perspective. Moreover, kayaking fosters collaboration and team spirit: whether paddling tandem with a friend or joining a group excursion, you’ll always have the chance to make new friends and share unforgettable moments.
In a Park
At the park, on a summer day, but also in spring and during sunny autumn days, simply by being outside and reading. Choose a bench or a spot to settle down: it will become a pleasant habit that can lead you to meet other regulars of the park.
On a Hike
Want to walk, get some fresh air, and you’ve signed up for a nature hike to get out of the city and its suburbs? Great: meeting new people while on a nature trip is relaxing and… well, natural, right?
You’ll surely see beautiful places, feast your eyes, and recharge your spirit with a chat, and maybe a nice picnic lunch after the hike.
At a Farmers’ Market
Getting boxes of fruit and vegetables delivered at home is great, but also checking the goods in person, wandering among the stalls, tasting fresh cheeses, and chatting with producers is a pleasure that truly reconnects you with the earth and the genuineness of local products. Farmers’ markets are also meeting opportunities, as well as great shopping.
On a Brewery Tour
Or during a winery visit with a subsequent tasting. The passion for food and wine brings many people together, and luckily in Italy there’s no shortage of choices.
On a Trekking Walk
A mountain walk is always a refreshing experience. Doing it with other walkers is perfect for finding people like you: drawn to nature, eager to try new experiences, lovers of mountain life and trekking.