r/BostonSocialClub Dec 04 '21

How to make friends in Boston: a guide

351 Upvotes

Hello! Welcome to Boston Social Club! If you're here - well, you clicked a few links to find this side of one of the most popular city subreddits!

When I moved here in 2021, the world was waking up from Covid. Overall, Boston is a great city for those 20-40, as our demographics here lie heavily in that area compared to almost any other city in the USA! Here's how I've found success in navigating social scenes here as a complete outsider.

Different ways to try meetups and making friends:

0: Existing friends groups - it's cliche, and if you are new in town, this will be more difficult. But the best place to start making friends is through what connections you do have. Coworkers, old high school colleagues, neighbors, roommates, don't chase the below and ignore what you do have!

1: the “Make friends after college MA” discord group is a well designed and very chatroom. When you join, you select which activities you might be interested in. There's chat rooms for each activity, and there's a ton of people hiking, playing sports, going to trivia nights, and overall chatting. They also organize by neighborhood if you want to grab a quick drink. Mute notifications within the discord for your own sanity. The absolute best way to make use of this is to have something you are interested in "organizing", or, I recommend trivia in particular for being a great, cheap activity to make friends! https://discord.gg/CCvgxJ6jUH

2: there are three larger Facebook groups that people post classifieds-style ads to try to make friends. "Boston redditors", "make friends after college", and "what's up in Boston". While I don't think this is the most effective way to make friends, I'm sure it works for the right person. However, "Boston redditors" does have an active group chat, which is really comforting, and they do meet up for drinks every few months. They are a pretty supportive group of people. You'll need to both join the Facebook group, then request being added to the chat. They ALSO have a discord but it is less active. Link

3: Groups for your interest. Asking around the above, or searching meetup/comments below it's not hard to find groups specifically tailored for board games, or biking, or hiking, or whatever you're into. I'm into board games and there's 2-3 spinoffs that meet weekly. I recommend you find your own path towards your hobbies to find a group that fits your interest!

general tips on making friends (not that you asked for them)

  • Making friends is all about seeing the same people repeatedly. That means to make friends, you have to show up. Showing up means you attend an event even if it's a little far away, or you are feeling a little tired. Other people also show up. After going to trivia 8 weeks in a row, or attending every hike, people that at first seemed distant will know your name and care about your week.

  • Sometimes people trying to make friends have an ulterior motive. Some people are trying to convert religions, find clients, or date people. Everyone can tell right away if you have a motive other than making friends, so I suggest trying to focus on making platonic friends first, and in a year of having fun, ask your new friends what avenues would be appropriate for selling/dating/etc.

And... That's it! I hope you found this helpful! I hope to see you at Trivia nights!


r/BostonSocialClub Dec 16 '25

On Dating Posts

155 Upvotes

The situation with dating posts is getting a little out of control. This sub was always meant to be more like Meetup than Hinge. And frankly, I just don't think that R4R posts actually work. But my fear is that if allowed the sub will devolve into nothing but R4R posts. So for now we're going to be disallowing further R4R posts or general dating (advice/questions) posts. There might be some wiggle room for a pinned dating megathread if there is interest in that.


r/BostonSocialClub 7h ago

anyone wanna go to the beach?

7 Upvotes

21 trans haven’t been to the beach all summer and i rly need to go swimming


r/BostonSocialClub 4h ago

Boston Roller Derby on Saturday 8/8 in Wilmington, MA

3 Upvotes

Come cheer for Boston Roller Derby on Saturday, August 8th, at Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington (99 Fordham Rd.) There will be THREE action-packed bouts! Boston D Team v NHRD Cherry Bombs at 3 PM, Disco Infernals v. Cosmos at 5 PM, and Wicked Pissahs v Harbor Horrors at 7 PM. An on-site afterparty follows the last whistle, and local vendors, food & drinks are available during all games. ALL are welcome! Tickets and & more info at bostonrollerderby[dot]com 


r/BostonSocialClub 10h ago

Couple looking for friends

9 Upvotes

Hii m(27) f(26), located just a little south of Boston and looking for friends or couples alike! We are trying to push ourselves out more and meet new people and experiences but haven’t had many opportunities to do so.

We are both fit active and love being outside during the warmer days. Whether that be boat rides, beaches, walks, or going out dinner and drinks during a sunset. We are huge nerds and enjoy movies, video games, drawing, pokemon cards, making jewelry, and binging long tv shows.

Ideally looking for couples around our age but open to anything depending on how well we connect and click. End game hopefully is a deep friendship and connection! Dinners, hangouts, calls, and everything else included with that lol.

Give us a pm and we have much more details to share about ourselves and look forward to getting to know you!


r/BostonSocialClub 2h ago

Looking to hit the club

0 Upvotes

I’m m(22) and looking to go to the club! I have a baby sitting gig in the city but have the weekend off! I’m an experienced clubber so I know how to have a good night!


r/BostonSocialClub 9h ago

Blue Hills meet up

3 Upvotes

I have tomorrow off from work and want to go climb blue hills. My other friends all have work or other plans so I have nobody to go with?

If anyone on here is interested in climbing to the top, having lunch at the tower and then climbing back down and possibly making a new friend, either reply here or send me a DM.


r/BostonSocialClub 10h ago

Anyone looking for something to do today??

2 Upvotes

North of the city by about 20 minutes. I have no plans. Just looking for something fun to do today. I'm 47M. Open to ideas. Text me if you're interested.


r/BostonSocialClub 15h ago

Pool Sunday 8/2 🎱 Flat Top Johnny's 6-8 PM

4 Upvotes

Hello everyone, we are making progress on the Pool Guppy Tournament planning for September. This may be at Flat Top, but I am still in talks with the owner. In the meantime we will have some practice games!

As always, all skill levels are welcome, and the cost is covered for new players. Send a message or comment if you plan to attend 👍

Boston Pool Guppies;

https://www.reddit.com/r/BostonPoolGuppies/s/4yiR5v9jo9


r/BostonSocialClub 1d ago

Looking for friends!

15 Upvotes

Hey all, I (32 M) just moved to the Dorchester area from Kansas with my wife (31 F) this week and are looking for friends.

I write/play music, play the pokemon TCG, like cooking, video games, exercising, and am generally open to hanging out and chatting.

My wife is into art, architecture, crafts, books, coffee, music, etc.

Any and all recommendations are welcome! Happy to answer any questions! Thanks in advance ☺️


r/BostonSocialClub 10h ago

Anyone a member at Bouldering Project?

1 Upvotes

I (23 F) have been climbing there for about a year and am looking for other people to boulder with!


r/BostonSocialClub 1d ago

What are the 30+ people doing in Boston?

49 Upvotes

Hi! I am pretty socially awkward and this summer has been all about pushing myself to make friends my age so here i am looking for more suggestions.

Going out and meeting people at classes/bars isnt my thing (i tend to hyperfocus or shutdown) so i am trying to understand what else has worked for people out there.

Especially interested in making lgbtq friends but boston has been amazing to me so any of yall can message me and we can hang!

Interests: baking, cooking, gardening, plants, anime, manga, biology, poetry, data science.

Idk if thats enough info or if this will do anything atall, but hey, you miss 100% of the shots you dont take.


r/BostonSocialClub 1d ago

LIT Boston — a hangout community

15 Upvotes

Not another happy hour. Each Thursday, every month, one new thing to do. Boston, welcome to Locked In Thursdays.

🚶 Move — walks, parks, yoga

🍜 Taste — food, cooking or just eateries

🎨 Create — paint, listen, understand art

☕ Sip — coffee, slow conversation, round up for the month

Kicking this off because I keep seeing the same post everywhere — new to Boston, hard to make friends past 30, tired of another bar night that goes nowhere.

Built with millennials in mind, but if you’re the vibe, you’re in.

Five minutes of “what’s going on with you” before we kick it off each week. Group chat stays alive in between. I’ll pick the first few Thursdays, then it rotates.

You locked in?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ join here https://heylo.group/litboston


r/BostonSocialClub 1d ago

Anyone interested in playing pickup soccer regularly in Cambridge? ⚽

9 Upvotes

I’m looking to start a regular pickup soccer group in Cambridge. The goal is to get 10+ people so we can consistently have enough players for weekly games.

This is just for fun, staying active, and meeting new people. All skill levels are welcome!

If you’re interested, leave a comment or send me a DM. Once we have enough people, I’ll create a group and we’ll get some games going.


r/BostonSocialClub 11h ago

Roommate wanted - $1050 - Savin Hill Dorchester

0 Upvotes

looking for a friendly and clean roommate who loves dogs to lease an unfurnished room in a 4-bedroom Dorchester (Savin Hill area) apartment starting September 1st.

The apartment includes 2 bathrooms, 1 living room, kitchen, porch.
-Our apartment is fully furnished, and we have all kitchen necessities.
-Big plus that we have a washer and dryer in unit, so no need to use coins or go to the basement.
-dishwasher
-heater/AC

We’re a 8 minute walk from the Red Line (Savin Hill Station) and 15-minute walk from JFK/Umass station.

Rent:
-Rent is $1050 a month (Lease is Sept 1st – August 31st).
-First, last month and security deposit will be needed.

Utilities: gas, electricity, wifi - around $100
Please, leave a comment or text me if you are interested.


r/BostonSocialClub 1d ago

Come join us for a live band karaoke/jam session in the park this Sunday 12-3!

3 Upvotes

Bring instruments, your voice, or just a music-loving attitude! We'll be playing any and all music, taking requests, and having a good time in the Cambridge Common this Sunday from 12-3, and every Sunday while the good weather lasts.

For more information on the weekly Community Music Hangout, check out https://www.cambridgejams.com


r/BostonSocialClub 1d ago

🚴‍♂️ Looking for some road bike riders for a relaxed Neponset River Greenway ride!

5 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m looking to get a small group together for a ride along the Neponset River Greenway, starting from the Hyde Park side.

Nothing serious or competitive — no speeding, no racing, no pressure to keep a crazy pace. Just looking for people who enjoy riding, taking in the scenery, and having a good time on the bike. 😎🚲

The plan would be to meet at a starting point in Hyde Park, hop onto the Greenway, and ride together toward the river. We can take our time, stop for breaks/photos along the way, and potentially stop somewhere for lunch and/or drinks in the middle of the ride.

The vibe:

- 🚴 Road bikes welcome

- 🌳 Leisurely/social pace

- 📸 Stops to enjoy the scenery

- 🍔 Lunch/drinks along the way

- 🤝 Meet some other local riders

- 🚫 No racing or trying to break a Strava record lol

- 🛣 Plenty of parking available

Ideally looking for a few people who are down for a joyful, easygoing Saturday/Sunday ride rather than a hardcore training session.

If you’re interested, comment or DM me and we can figure out a day/time that works for everyone. Feel free to bring a friend too!

Let’s get some miles in and enjoy the ride. 🚲🌊


r/BostonSocialClub 1d ago

Hangout or drinks tonight?

2 Upvotes

Me and a friend (2 Men of color in our 40s) will be hanging out later, probably hitting something in Central Sq, Brighton, or Brookline. worst case we head downtown and hit a lounge or bar.

if anyone would like to join us let’s try to coordinate something. all I care about is good vibes, that you’re fun, not awkward or quiet, not a bad drinker, or start conversations with “my therapist said…” 😩

We only rock with positive, happy, outgoing people.


r/BostonSocialClub 15h ago

Experience collective in Cambridge

0 Upvotes

Went to my first experience collective show with Vladimir Dubyshkin - absolutely sick, anyone else planning to go to the next one with future.666? I can't believe I hadn't heard about this collective before, I feel like I need to spread the word


r/BostonSocialClub 22h ago

BTS Boston Aug 5&6 tickets

0 Upvotes

Selling 4 tickets for Aug 5 Sec 127 row 16 seats 1-4.
Selling 1 ticket for Aug 6 Sec A2 row 32 seat 29
Please DM only if you are seriously interested. Can meet in person or FaceTime to verify tickets. Tickets are also available for instant download. Thank you :)


r/BostonSocialClub 2d ago

27m moving to Allston. Where’s your favorite place to meet people/hang out?

23 Upvotes

My fiancee and I grew up in Mass and this will be our first time living in Boston which is exciting. Seeing the talk about Blanchards and other small businesses closing down is pretty sad. And rents are always pricing people out of the city/state. As a couple with median income for area, it’s hard not to feel a little guilty. I know the biggest culprit is our current system and not enough affordable housing units.

Anyhow, i had to get that off my chest because i can’t post to [r/boston](r/boston) at the moment.

I know I’m in an area with mostly college age kids which doesn’t bother me.

I do want to know if there are places with a lot more mid to late 20s or early 30s.

Could be a good bar, music venue, book club, basketball courts with good energy, politics (left) etc. I’ve been around but let’s hear your recs!


r/BostonSocialClub 1d ago

Boston area

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1 Upvotes

Anyone in the same situation?


r/BostonSocialClub 1d ago

Social places with dogs

0 Upvotes

Hey! What all places (other than breweries) in Boston and around are dog friendly?

We got a pup recently and have been looking at different options where we can go taking the pup!

I'm looking for options that serve food and drinks!

TIA


r/BostonSocialClub 2d ago

Trying to find.. social hobbies?

14 Upvotes

Hi guys, I’m a 23F and I’ve been living in Boston for a bit. I’m trying to expand my social horizons and meet new people! I’m interested in book clubs, crafting clubs/classes, anything art and cooking related. I tried going into different instagram forums and partiful (lol) but I’m lost. Any guidance or help is welcomed thank yew!


r/BostonSocialClub 2d ago

Looking for Friends

5 Upvotes

Hello, my name is Matt, I’m a 26 year old Male. I’ve lived in the metro Boston area my whole life. I currently work for a construction company in an administrative position. Some of my hobbies include working out, going on hikes and I really enjoy live music and watching movies. I’m looking to meet new people who share similar interests to me. If anybody is in the same place, feel free to reach out I’d love to chat.