Once you finish school, making friends can feel surprisingly difficult. At school or university you are surrounded by the same people every day which naturally creates connection. In adult life, it is different. Depending on your job, you might not click with colleagues outside of work or you may not work in an environment that gives you opportunities to build friendships at all.

So it is no surprise that many adults struggle with making new friends. This becomes even more challenging if you move to a new city, start a new chapter of life or realise your current friends are now in different life stages. Suddenly you are seeing people less and wondering where to even begin.

The good news is that making friends as an adult is absolutely possible. You simply need to put yourself in places where connection happens naturally. Here are the best ideas on where and how to meet new friends.

1. Join Sports Clubs and Social Sports Groups

Sports are one of the easiest ways to meet people because you bond through shared activity rather than forced conversation.

Some great options include:

Social netball or soccer teams
Pickleball clubs
Beach volleyball groups
Bowling clubs
Tennis socials or casual hit sessions

PROS: Most social sports leagues welcome beginners, so you do not need to be experienced. Showing up regularly helps you build friendships through teamwork, fun and shared progress.

CONS: Requires you to have an interest in a sport and finding a club that suits your vibe.

2. Try a Run Club

Run clubs have become incredibly popular because they combine fitness with community. You meet people who care about similar goals, whether that is improving fitness, staying healthy or enjoying fresh air after work.

Many run clubs offer different paces, so you can jog or walk with others who match your speed. Group coffee or brunch after the run makes socialising feel natural and easy.

PROS: An active way to make new friends.

CONS: Requires you to enjoy running. Not all Run Clubs are friendly.

3. Take Up New Hobbies and Classes

Learning something new is one of the best ways to spark connection. You instantly have something in common with everyone in the room.

Popular hobby based activities include:

Pottery classes
Woodworking workshops
Painting or art sessions
Dance classes
Photography workshops
Language classes

These classes attract people who are open minded, curious and looking to meet others. You bond by learning, making mistakes together and celebrating progress.

PROS: Ability to create a friendship through repetition and consistency (and shared interest)

CONS: Can be expensive and a big time commitment

4. Join a Social Gym or Group Fitness Community

Some gyms have strong social cultures built around group classes, events and community activities. These spaces make it easy to connect with people through regular routines.

Look for gyms that offer:

Group training
Functional fitness classes
Post workout coffee sessions or social activities (check their social media pages)

Seeing the same faces each week helps friendships form naturally.

PROS: If you can make friends at your gym, they’ll probably also live closeby, making it easier to catch up regularly.

CONS: These types of gyms can be expensive.

5. Volunteer for a Cause You Care About

Volunteering is a powerful way to meet people who share similar values. Whether you love animals, community programs or environmental projects, volunteering places you beside people who care about the same things.

Some ideas include:

Animal shelters
Community kitchens
Charity events
Local environmental groups
Youth programs

Volunteering gives you purpose, connection and a shared mission which builds closeness quickly.

PROS: Finding friendships and connections over a positive social cause.

CONS: Not guaranteed to make friends who are in the same age bracket or live stage as you.

6. Join Dinner Clubs or Matched Dining Events

Dinner clubs and matched dining events are becoming one of the most popular ways for adults to meet new people. These events bring together small, curated groups for social dinners or brunches. A Conscious Connection matched dinner/ brunch will curate each table based on shared interests with the aim that you’ll have several people you’ll vibe with instantly. You’ll also have the opportunity to mix tables and meet other people based on shared interests or based on location. Everyone at the table is there for the same reason which creates a comfortable, friendly atmosphere.

If you feel awkward approaching strangers, matched dinners are perfect because the social structure is already built in. You sit, talk, eat and connect with people who share your interests.

PROS: A quick way to meet people, guaranteed to be in the same age group and same interests.

CONS: You’ll wish you knew about these events sooner.

7. Attend Games Nights and Community Social Events

Games nights are one of the easiest ways to break the ice because the focus is on play instead of conversation. You laugh, collaborate and compete which naturally builds connection.

These events are low pressure and perfect for meeting people in a fun, relaxed way.

PROS: A great alternative for meeting people that doesn’t require running or joining a club.

CONS: You’ll make friends with people who will fill your social calendar and you’ll no longer have any time left to be bored at home.

Final Thoughts: You Can Make New Friends at Any Age

Making friends as an adult can feel daunting, but once you know where to go, it becomes much easier. The key is to put yourself in environments where interaction feels natural rather than forced.

Whether you join a sports group, pick up a new hobby, try a run club, volunteer or attend social events like games nights and dinner clubs, you are giving yourself the chance to meet people who are also looking to connect.

Show up consistently, stay open and be willing to take the first step. New friendships often grow from the smallest moments of effort.

Where to Make New Friends: Practical Ways to Build Your Social Circle as an Adult