How to meet new people: from apps to venues – here are the best ways to make new friends

These options are guaranteed to break the ice 🥶

the best ways to make new friends

by Asher Brandon |
Updated on

Love really does make the world go round, although this isn't restricted to romantic love. Here at Closer we'd argue that platonic love is as important, if not more important, than romantic love. Whilst break-ups are a fact of life, your friends will always stick by your side and love you unconditionally. They ground you, and even when life's not going great they help you to keep going.

The beauty of friends, unlike romantic partners, is that you can have as many as you want at once and they won't get jealous (most of the time). Making friends is an important and necessary part of life but sadly it's easier said than done.

If you see someone you fancy in a bar you can approach them and ask them out on a date but doing that to a potential friend? Not sure how that would go down.

Regardless, if you've moved to a new place or you just want to broaden your social sphere and meet a greater diversity of different people, then you're going to want to meet new people.

So, if you want to make new friends but don't quite know how to, we've got you sorted with this list of the best ways to meet new people.

Check out: the best ways to make new friends

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The best ways to make new friends

Download Bumble1 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

Download Bumble

Now Bumble's a little different from other dating apps as it also has the option to find friends. It can either be set to dating mode or BFF mode, carrying over the same premise but applying it purely to making friends. It's a great option for anyone who is struggling to make new friends, as those you meet on the app will also be looking to make pals.

Join a club for one of your existing hobbies2 of 12
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Join a club for one of your existing hobbies...

One of the main ways people make friends is through finding people who share similar interests to them. Consequently a great way to make new friends is by joining a club or society for one of your existing hobbies. The groundwork is already there, so why not build on a skill of a hobby you already enjoy, whilst making new friends along the way? It really is a win win if you ask us.

... or take up a new hobby3 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

... or take up a new hobby

Taking up a new hobby can be a great way to make new friends, whilst also learning something new. One option could be rock climbing as this requires another person and the trust required can create strong bonds from the get go.

Go friend speed dating4 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

Go friend speed dating

As with Bumble BFF some methods of finding a romantic partner can work just as well with making friends, such as speed dating. Friend speed dating can be a great way to break the ice, as well as getting the chance to meet multiple people at once, all of whom are also looking to make new friends.

Look to TikTok5 of 12
CREDIT: Getty Images

Look to TikTok

TikTok as a platform exposes us to creators from all walks of life. The platform's scarily effective algorithm ensures you find like minded creators. Some have even used TikTok to organise meet ups for certain groups. One example we've seen are LGBTQ+ creators asking other members of the community in their area to drop them a message so they can organise meet ups for that group.

Follow Florence Given on Instagram...6 of 12
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Follow Florence Given on Instagram

Author and illustrator Florence Given creates posts on her Instagram where people can comment where they are from and organise group meet ups with people in their local areas. This can be a great opportunity to make friends with people who live in or around the same area as you.

Go to a gig by yourself7 of 12
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Go to a gig by yourself

Is there an artist you really want to see but can't find anyone to go with? Why not go solo? A gig can be enjoyed just as much by yourself and it can be a great way to meet people who have a similar music taste to you. Once you make friends who like the same music as you it's easy to keep in touch because you can regularly meet for gigs. You'll also never have the problem of not having someone to go to a gig with again. There are even Facebook pages dedicated to finding people to go to gigs with.

Enrol in an evening course8 of 12
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Enrol in an evening course

If you're finding it hard to meet people why not enrol in an evening class? This is a great way to meet people whilst learning a new skill or earning a qualification. We'd definitely recommend taking a language course because they facilitate socialising - as talking with others is crucial to learning how to speak a new language.

Join Facebook groups9 of 12
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Join Facebook groups

Honestly, there are Facebook groups for everything these days. This can be a great way to meet people in a similar position to yourself, with similar interests and it can be a good way to facilitate some of the earlier options on this list.

Join a yoga class10 of 12
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Join a yoga class

Whilst yoga is a largely meditative experience that allows you to learn a lot about yourself, attending classes can be a great opportunity to meet people. It is also the perfect opportunity to find people with a similar energy to yourself. But if yoga isn't for you, why not enrol in another exercise class, such as Zumba.

Join a book club11 of 12
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Join a book club

Joining a book club is a great way to meet new people whilst also encouraging yourself to read more. Reading is an incredibly rewarding pastime on an individual level, but as we get older, and life gets busier, it can increasingly be seen as a bit of a chore (especially after leaving school). So why not rediscover the joy of reading whilst also making friends at the same time?

Volunteer for a charity12 of 12
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Volunteer for a charity

Volunteering for a charity is a great way to make new friends whilst also giving back to the community. This is also a perfect option if you have just moved to a new place, as these schemes are often focused largely around community engagement. So why not make new friends, all while giving back to the community and getting to know your local area? It really is a win, win, win.

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