Making new friends is not about reaching a celebrated number that only a few can reach. It is about meeting different people who may have experiences different than you. Your school and college friends are, to a large extent, exposed to the same experiences and same environment that you were exposed to. When you meet people from different backgrounds — and sometimes even from different countries — you get to know learn their unique experiences and have a broader view of the world.
This loneliness from not having a friend to share life experiences with isn’t limited to people living alone. Regardless of how much you love your job and how loving your immediate family is, you likely have the urge to meet new people and expand your social circle. Meeting new people is an experience worth pursuing on its own merits. Every person has a unique way of looking at the world. When you meet new people, you learn about different perspectives, which in turn make you more empathetic.
It is true that it is more difficult to make new friends as we grow older. But as an adult, friendships are not about play dates or sleepovers. You need a friend who can be by your side when you are down, who can lift you up when you are overwhelmed by the challenges that life throws at you, or who can just accept you as you are. After all, it has been shown that having friends can make you happier.
In this digital age, social networking and dating apps have caged people inside their houses. You can sit beside a person for hours on a bus every day and still not know their name. Why? Because you are more interested in checking out the photos posted online by someone from work.
It seems a difficult and nearly impossible task to venture out into the world and find new friends. And since we often don’t know how to meet new people, we remain inside our houses binging on TV shows and movies. But in this article, we’ll explore the 47 best places where you can go to make new friends and live a happier life.
The 20 Best Places for Making New Friends
There are billions of people in this world, and there is no way that you’ve already met all of them. But from your local grocery store to the bank you visit every month, there are a large number of places where you can meet new people.
You may be familiar with the mantra that encourages you to “Say yes” to new things and not hold yourself back. You have to apply that same mantra in your life when it comes to finding new friends.
You may be surprised to know that many of the places you go every day without even thinking about it are places where you can make new friends.
- Meetup Group | London Social Network
This is the age of the Internet and social media, and most of the people you talk with on the Internet are those you actually met on the Internet. Even though you haven’t met your Internet friends in real life, you share a deep connection with them.
The thought of finally meeting a person in real life can be super exciting, so don’t miss out on the chance of attending these Meetups. They are a great way to meet new friends, and to get to know your existing “digital” ones even better. - Community Centres
Almost every city has a community centre that hosts political discussions, book launches, slam poetry, and other activities. People who visit these places are interested in learning more about things that you may be interested in. Whenever you hear about a discussion at a nearby centre, make sure that you go. - Bars
Let’s begin by talking about the “obvious” and easiest place to meet new people. Almost every other romance novel talks about the protagonist finding the love of their life in a cool bar they went to with their friends. Even with platonic relationships, a bar is a place where you can definitely find someone to become friends with. On weekend nights, bars are crowded with cheerful people who are interested in sharing drinks with strangers and getting to know them better.
There are better chances of making a new friend at a bar than anyplace else — so do the obvious and go to a bar to meet new people. Be more approachable, and enjoy the experience!
- Informal Gatherings | London Meetup Group
Parties can be a great place to meet people, as everyone there is usually in a good mood and looking to mingle. Leave your inhibitions at the door and strike up a conversation with the first person you meet. - At Your Workplace
At work, most people only talk with the members of their teams, or with people who are working in their departments. But your company is likely quite large, and full of people to meet. Say hi and start a new friendship with someone you might not have met otherwise! - Study Circles
Even though the Internet can now teach you virtually everything you want to learn, nothing beats a study circle where a group of people meet to learn about a new topic. Activists often hold study circles and invite people to join and learn more about various causes. These are great opportunities to meet people with similar passions as you. - Professional Networking Groups | London Professionals Network
If you are a business-minded person, then a professional group of businessmen is a good place to meet new people. You not only build personal connections, but also construct a referral network.
Some of the best and longest-lasting relationships are those that start through shared passions and interests. Indeed, hard work and dedication are contagious. If you surround yourself with people who have the same goals as you, you are more likely to arrive at your destination together.
- Public Transport
The public transport system brings a lot of people together. Have you seen the videos shot inside the Metro where strangers start singing pop songs together just to kill time on their long commutes? YouTube is filled with such videos, and it will warm your heart to see the extent to which different people connect with each other.
We understand that when people are on buses or trains, they are often preoccupied with their various thoughts. Some are lost behind a book, wandering in a magical land. You shouldn’t disrespect their boundaries and start asking them all kinds of questions just because you think they might be interested in talking with you. But the next time you see someone reading your favourite book, casually strike up a conversation. If they show a willingness to talk with you, you can have a conversation with them. Then share your phone number (with consent) and lay the foundation of a good friendship started at an unexpected place.
If you already use public transportation for daily commutes, don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with people who commute on the same route. Who knows — maybe the person who gets off one station before you is a dog lover just like you, and knows amazing tips for solving behavioural issues. It may be uncomfortable at first, but if the other person shows interest, you can easily strike up a conversation.
- Volunteer Work | London Entrepreneurs Network
It is nice to take time out of your busy schedule and give something back to your community. Volunteer in areas that are close to your heart. For example, you can volunteer at a nursing home or a school for underprivileged children. You can also work at a dog shelter. These volunteering options will give you a chance to meet people who share the same interests as you do. - Book Club Meetings
Book clubs are one of the coolest groups to be a part of. You are surrounded by like-minded people who you can talk to about all kinds of books. Book clubs organise monthly meetings where members are expected to show up after reading a specific book. Members then proceed to discuss the book and talk about the parts that moved them. Showing up at a book club meeting is not only a good way to learn about a specific book, but also to expand your social circle and befriend a large number of people. - Yoga Class
Meditation is very important to reduce your stress levels, so sign up for a yoga class to live a happier life. And while you are at it, get to know the people in your class. Yoga is best done in silence, but there is nothing wrong with smiling at each other during the warm-up session or sticking around at the yoga centre for 15 minutes after the session to catch up with your classmates. - Your Local Neighbourhood
One of the best places to meet new people is your own neighbourhood. In today’s busy life, we kind of forget about working on our relationships with our neighbour’s. We live on the same street, but we often have no idea what our neighbours are like. Either host a party and invite your neighbours, or bring them a cake or some other baked good to bond over. - A Cultural Event | London Creative Society
Book festivals, art exhibitions, readings, and other discussions are normally conducted as cultural events. A large number of people attend these events, and you will be glad to meet them. But don’t just sit quietly waiting for a chance to meet people! Take an active part in sharing your thoughts. - On a Trip
Foreign trips aren’t just for ticking items off of list. They also provide you with the opportunity to meet the locals and get to know about the culture and traditions of the place. When you are on a trip, select activities where you can meet new people. - Part-Time Job
If you are doing a part-time job during your studies or for other reasons, you have the opportunity to meet new people and make friends. - Music & Art Festivals
If you want to meet a lot of people and we mean a LOT — then festivals are the place to go. Festivals are centred around fun and entertainment, and are attended by tens of thousands of people. It’s hard to think of a better way to bond with new friends than by sharing happy memories and dancing the night away.
Festivals often include games, live shows, contests, and exhibits. You can check out upcoming festivals in your area by looking in your town’s newspaper or municipal board, or browsing through different platforms and websites (e.g., London Social Events).
- Friendship Apps
There are tons of social media platforms out there — beyond Facebook and Twitter — where you can find new people and create new relationships. These platforms are specifically dedicated to matching people, but they are not dating sites or dating apps. They are friendship apps that allow individuals from all over the world (or locally, if you narrow down your search) to meet and become friends.
Just a reminder, though: If you are planning to check out these apps, make sure you only join the legitimate ones. Conduct thorough research on which apps keep your data secure. To check out the best and safest apps for making new friends, click this link.
- Online Courses
This is a good idea for those who are fond of learning new things. There are tons of platforms and institutions that offer online courses. Even if you’re home-schooled or did not attend university, you are more than welcome to join as long as you have the passion to learn. Joining these online courses is one way to meet new friends who share your passion for learning. - Video Games and Mobile Games
There are tons of people playing video and mobile games, so you could meet thousands of people from all over the world just by playing. And what is better than making friends while enjoying a new hobby?
One thing to consider is that you don’t want to become dependent on video games. Computer and mobile games are quite addicting and can get out of hand if not controlled.
- Open House
We only recommend having an open house if you are the type of person who’s ready to mingle with a lot of people. If you have the time and resources, try inviting your friends, workmates, or neighbors for a casual dinner or grill party. Ask them to bring their friends so you can expand everyone’s network. The whole point of having an open house is to bring people together and create new circles of friends.
Wrapping It Up
It is fascinating how many places we’ve never considered can be opportunities to meet friends and develop long-lasting relationships. You may have visited these places occasionally, but perhaps you never considered finding a friend there. The next time you go to any of these places, try to strike up a conversation with people and make new connections.
Finally, if you want another positive way to improve your life, then read and learn something new every day. A great tool to do this is to join over 1 million others and start your day with the latest FREE, informative news from this website.
