How To Meet People In New York City, NY

Granted, people are everywhere in NYC; but where and how do you meet people in New York City with whom you actually want to make friends? This article will give you some key ideas and places to help you build your social circle and make friends in NYC.

Where & How To Meet People in New York and Start Making Friends

1. Most Popular Meetup Groups

Here are a few of New York’s most popular meetups

Find more of your favorite meetup opportunities here: https://www.meetup.com/cities/us/ny/new_york/

Social Groups & Clubs You Can Join:

  • The Harmonie Club: The Harmonie Club offers ervices for dining and entertainment, athletic facilities, and programs wherein you can foster new relationships.
  • Zero Bond: The Zero Bond is a club that offers a luxurious place and only welcomes people with great character. Here, you’ll meet and potentially befriend people with high integrity.
  • Norwood Club: The Norwood Club is home for the curious. Its elegant residence completely embody New York’s spirit. Meet plenty of the city’s residents here while also getting in touch with New York’s more luxurious roots.
  • Casa Cipriani: Casa Cipriani doesn’t hold back on its extravagant features. It is an exclusive club where members can enjoy its Jazz cafe, lounges, a rooftop venue, and of course, the Cipriani restaurant.
  • NextDoor New York City: A good meeting place for New York City residents, offering a friendly space to discuss neighborhood news, plan community activities, and build local friendships.
  • Internations New York City: Offers both locals and expats in New York City a unique space to mingle, engage in diverse cultural activities, and build a bridge between communities.
  • Ellevate New York City: A professional network in New York City where women collaborate, share knowledge, and empower each other in their career development.
  • ZogSports New York City: Provides an opportunity in New York City to join local sports leagues, perfect for young adults seeking a balance of fun, fitness, and social interaction.
  • Rotary Club of New York City: In New York City, the Rotary Club is synonymous with excellence in community service and leadership, attracting dedicated individuals keen on making a lasting societal impact.
  • Lions Club New York City: In New York City, the Lions Club stands out for its active involvement in community service, offering a fulfilling experience for those looking to make a difference in the lives of others.
  • New York City Elks Lodge: A community-focused organization in New York City known for its commitment to social welfare and family-friendly activities, with a strong emphasis on moral values and patriotism.
  • BNI New York City: A premier business networking organization in New York City where professionals can join to build strong, referral-based relationships and expand their business network.

2. Unique Hands-on Workshops

a great place to meet people in new york is brooklyn brainery, coworking and classes

The Brooklyn Brainery is a hub for folks who want to learn about food, history, or any number of quirky topics. Small class sizes make it easy to chat with other attendees, and the hands-on workshops encourage interaction among participants. The Brainery also functions as a coworking space, further helping you meet and mingle with new friends.

3. Network for a Cause

meet volunteers of bowery mission in new york

Volunteering your time is a proven way to make meaningful friendships. The Bowery Mission brings together professionals in their twenties and thirties looking to make a difference in downtown Manhattan. The Young Philanthropists have been known to organize projects and events to assist homeless people and at-risk youth. The group’s latest effort is serving meals to the homeless community at the Bowery Mission in the East Village. Make some friends while you’re making a difference.

4. It’s Okay to Be a Nerd

Secret science club is a great place to meet people in NYC

If you hold an interest in more science-based, “nerdy” topics, don’t fret! The Secret Science Club holds a free monthly lecture series for scientists to discuss dinosaurs, neuroscience, black holes, and other scholarly topics, each event bringing in nearly 300 attendees. After each event’s Q&A session, there’s plenty of time for socializing with other science enthusiasts.

5. Relax and Draw

In new york, Bat Haus Drink N’ Draw provides a good way to make friends

Let your artistic side and inhibitions go free at Bat Haus’s Drink N’ Draw. The affordable admission price gets you all-you-can-drink Brooklyn Brewery beers and two hours of figure drawing with a live model. Exchange tips and conversations with fellow artists and create your next masterpiece.

6. Become a Comedian

take improv class at the fast and funny improve in nyc and meet new friends

Learn to be funny on the spot and make some new friends in the process. Improvolution is an awesome place in New York for anyone who wants a quick tour of the improv world. Improvolution believes the world of Improv is for everybody. Take part in it and you’ll meet a lot of people who are light-hearted, humorous, and friendly.

7. Achieve Inner Peace

Yoga to the people, meet new people in nyc while doing yoga

Yoga is an amazing form of exercise that helps strengthen, stretch, and de-stress the body, and focus and decompress the mind. At Yoga to the People, you don’t have to be a yogi master OR wealthy to join a class. All classes are donation-based and cater to all skill levels.

8. This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Choir

Gotham Rock Choir is New York City’s first choir devoted exclusively to the performance of Pop, Rock, and Soul music. This eclectic social group provides an outlet for vocalists of all levels and backgrounds to explore contemporary music in a supportive and fun environment. You’ll find friends from all walks of life, as members possess a common trait: a real passion for singing.

9. Get Crafty

meet people in nyc during makeworkshop classes

Make Workshop draws DIY acolytes of all levels. You’ll not only learn skills such as embroidery and sewing, you’ll also have the opportunity to chat with other creative souls. You work in small groups, so all classes naturally become very socially centered.

10. Become a Jedi

new york jedi is a great place to meet other people who love light sabers

Star Wars fans, unite! New York Jedi instructors impart the ways of the Force at two-hour electro-sword classes every Thursday night at 7 pm at Central Park. Focused on lightsaber choreography and techniques, you can create your own hero, learn some radical moves, and hang out with cool people in the process.

11. Embrace the Power of Community

92nd Street Y is a cultural and health center where you can meet interesting and curious new yorkers

92nd Street Y is a world-class cultural and community center where people connect through culture, arts, entertainment, and conversation. Although a Jewish center, 92Y enthusiastically welcomes and reaches out to people of all ages, races, faiths, and backgrounds while embracing Jewish values. This amazing venue acts as a performing arts center, studio and workshop facility for classes, and a health, fitness, and sports center.

12. Be a Good Sport – Learn, Grow and Compete

Chelsea Piers is a New York place for sports and enjoyment, ideal for making new friends

Chelsea Piers is a New York hub to learn, practice, play, and compete in 25+ different sports.  Enjoy a breathtaking view of the scenic Hudson River while you meet new people through sports leagues, and classes, or take advantage of their world-class health club. Another reason this is a great place to meet people in New York is that they have many classes for many tastes; surely you’re gonna find the sports activity that fits your preference.

13. Coffee and Sunshine

The Chipped Cup is a place where you can mingle over a delicious espresso

Taking inspiration from the Victorian Tea and Coffee Houses of old, the Chipped Cup aims to be a place where the diverse population can come mingle over a delicious Espresso Bar drink. Grab a buttery croissant and step out onto the garden patio… It provides a great, intimate setting to get to meet people in New York and get to know your neighbors in the big city.

14. Brunch with Ambitious Thought Leaders

Brunchwork is for young, successful professionals hungry for the next opportunity. They believe that exploring new ideas, building skills, and making connections should be as easy as going to brunch with friends. Every week members engage the world’s foremost business, tech, and creative leaders over a farm-to-table meal.

15. From Online to Real Life

gofindfriends.com is an app for making friends exclusive to new yorkers

Another way to meet people in New York is GoFindFriends, which is exclusively for New Yorkers in their 20s and 30s looking for a free and unique way to meet people.  We previously shared some of the best apps for making friends, and even using Tinder for friends. We didn’t include this one in the past, as it’s exclusive to NYC. You simply create a profile by answering a few questions about yourself, browsing other profiles, messaging people, and joining the activities that you are interested in. No pressure, no creep factor!

16. Board Games and Brews

Another way to meet people in New York is to play pinball, board games, or Jenga while sipping on local brews at High Dive. This cozy, 90s-esque bar encourages conversation in a relaxed and unique environment. Enjoy classics such as chess and checkers or buy your new friends a drink while you try to sink their battleship.

17. Eclectic Piano Tunes

Spectrum is a place for art, piano, making friends in nyc

Spectrum NYC is an intimate venue with state-of-the-art hand-crafted speakers and a Steinway D grand piano. Meet others with sophisticated taste in music while supporting innovation and virtuosity in the arts. Their principal emphasis is on concert music of the 20th and 21st Centuries.

18. Take in the Square

Union Square captures much of the City’s diversity and has its own energy. Dubbed downtown Times Square, The National Historic Landmark has a long tradition as a gathering place. This vibrant park is a prime place to grab a quick meal, see your favorite band, find a rare book, and take in art for free.

19. Oh my WORD

WORD bookstore is a great place to meet other book lovers in new york city

WORD is an independent neighborhood bookstore in Brooklyn. In addition to browsing their array of paperback fiction (especially classics), cookbooks, board books, and absurdly cute cards and stationery they are fiends for a good event. If classic author readings aren’t your thing, try joining one of their awesome book clubs! Book clubs are also an old and proven way to meet people in New York and or anywhere.

20. Art Along the East River

In 1986, artists and activists created the Socrates Sculpture Park. It hosts large-scale sculpture exhibits year-round and is one of the few locations in the city specifically designated for artists to create outdoor works. The splendid Queens space looks out over the Manhattan skyline and is open 365 days a year, with a Greenmarket, free yoga and tai chi classes, and more.

21. Chat, Meet, and Make friends in NYC with OneRoof app

Oneroof App For Making Friends

If you live or recently moved to New York City and want to meet new people then you should get the OneRoof app. OneRoof makes it easy to chat, meet, and make friends with similar interests living in your building and forming new friendships. Communication should go further than a nod in the elevator.

It’s a fun way to:

  • Buy and sell items from each other
  • Organize dog play dates
  • Ask a neighbor to dog-sit
  • Find a gym buddy
  • Attend board game nights
  • Do cloth swapping
  • & much more

Ready to meet and make friends with your neighbors? Try out the OneRoof app here.

22. Join a Fitness Social Group

November project New york

If you’re a fitness fanatic you might agree that doing it alone can be exhausting! At times, you might even feel like giving up on your goals. So, why not do it as a group? Yes, you can join a New York social group to spice up the fitness experience. It is one way to get some solidarity on a fitness journey and help you stay resilient.

Feel free to engage in diverse conversations to break the ice and create valuable friendships. This can help cement your newfound friendships. You might even build social circles that will come in handy when you need them. You can join a New York Fitness Social Group (or in Brooklyn) for workouts done at around 6 am once or twice a week. You will love the experience and solidarity of being in a fitness social group.

In conclusion, New York has no shortage of places to meet new people and make friends. As a result, it can seem overwhelming to start building your social life. In order to know exactly where to start, we’d like to invite you to give our training a try and arm yourself with the best techniques and strategies to… Get The Friends You Want.

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