13 Ways to Meet New People and Make Friends in NYC

Join an app.

Apps aren’t just for dating—they’re for finding friends, too! NYC is a city of over 8 million people, which can be pretty intimidating. If you’ve recently moved to New York and don’t know where to start, apps can help you narrow down this huge pool of potential friends to make some real connections. In fact, many Millennial and Gen Z transplants are choosing apps to make friends over traditional methods like going out to bars or clubs. The dating app Bumble, for example, has an option called Bumble For Friends, which is geared toward making platonic connections.

Enroll in a class.

Taking a class is a great way to meet new people in a big city. Pick an activity you’re interested in, and look for a class that works with your schedule. If you’re interested in art, try out a ceramics class. Or, if you’re looking to level-up your culinary skills, check out a cooking class. While you’re at your class, introduce yourself to the other attendees. Chances are you’ll meet a few people you click with, and you’ll already have a shared interest! When looking for a class to enroll in, try to pick something you’re genuinely interested in. This will increase the chances of meeting someone who you’ll have things in common with. For example, if you’re super athletic and want to find workout buddies in your new city, check out an athletic class, like yoga or boxing.

Join a club.

Joining a club is a surefire way to meet people who share your interests. There are all sorts of clubs out there—from book clubs, to bowling clubs, to birdwatching clubs. Think about the hobbies you’re passionate about, and then check out websites like Meetup.com to find local groups that match your interests. There are also tons of NYC-based groups specifically focused on making friendships. These include The Meet Up Crew, which is a woman empowerment club, and Wowza Hangout, a club centered around meeting new people and doing fun things. Once you’ve joined the club, remember to put yourself out there with the other members. Introduce yourself and start a conversation to take those first steps toward friendship!

Hit the gym.

Strike up a conversation with someone at the gym. New York is a fast-paced city filled with busy people, so multitasking is always a plus. Kill two birds with one stone and make new connections while getting your workout in! Remember to pay attention to social cues and read body language to figure out whether or not someone would be open to making a friend at the gym. For example, if someone has their headphones on and seems to be in their zone, it’s probably not the best time to approach.

Join a sports team.

Get involved in a sports league to build new friendships. If you’re an awesome soccer or basketball player, put those skills to good use. Joining a sports team is a great way to meet new people, and the regular practices are awesome opportunities to hang out and make connections. A quick online search is all you need to start researching leagues in your neighborhood. If there aren’t any teams for the sport of your choice, you can even start your own!

Take your dog to the park.

Go out and about with your dog to meet other dog lovers. Studies show that strangers are more likely to approach and start a conversation with someone who has a dog with them. If someone approaches you and asks to pet your dog, take the opportunity to introduce yourself and get a conversation going. Your cute canine friend could be the perfect icebreaker! If you’re looking for dog parks, check out Tompkins Square Dog Run, Madison Square Park Dog Run, or Tribeca Dog Run at Pier 26.

Sign up for volunteer opportunities.

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people. If you’re an animal lover, check out volunteer opportunities at local animal shelters. Or, you might prefer to volunteer your time at local food drives or community centers. Whatever you choose, you’ll be able to support a cause you care about while broadening your social network. If you’re passionate about reading, try volunteering at the New York Public Library. Or, help fight loneliness in NYC’s elderly population by volunteering for Friendly Visiting, a program where volunteers visit older adults to connect over shared interests.

Introduce yourself to your neighbors.

New friends could be right next door (literally!). New York can be a particularly lonely city—in fact, more than half of New Yorkers report feeling lonely sometimes. If you’ve been feeling isolated, chances are the people around you are feeling the same way. Take a chance and say hello to neighbor in your apartment building or on your street. For example, if you run into a neighbor in the elevator, be bold and try to get a conversation going. If the conversation flows easily, invite them to do something casual and low-pressure, like grabbing lunch or hitting the gym together, to explore the friendship further.

Reach out to coworkers.

Try asking a coworker to hang out outside of work. You already spend a fair amount of time with your coworkers, so chances are you’ve started building a social connection. To take this connection to the next level and turn your work friends into real-life friends, invite them to grab drinks after work or meet up for a coffee over the weekend. It can be nerve-wracking to put yourself out there and ask someone to hang out, but being proactive is an important part of building friendships. Your coworkers might be hoping to make new friends too, but you’ll never know if you don’t take that leap of faith and ask!

Ask your current friends to introduce you.

Your friends from home might be able to connect you with people. Reach out and ask if they know anyone living in NYC that they think you'd get along with. Your current network could be the key to building a new one! Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll vibe with the people you get introduced to, since they’re friends with people you’re already friends with.

Check out neighborhood hotspots.

Hang out at popular bars or pubs in your area to meet new people. Maybe you’ve noticed that the bar near your apartment building is always super busy when you pass by on your way home from work. Why not take a chance and pop in for a quick refreshment? You might meet some cool people who live in your neighborhood. If you’re a bit intimidated to check out these spots alone, try asking a coworker or neighbor from your building to go with you. While the two of you are out, do your best to mingle and introduce yourselves to the other people at the bar or pub. Make sure you’re not only talking to each other!

Attend a comedy show.

Comedy shows and comedy clubs are great spots to meet new friends. There’s no better way to connect with others than to laugh with them! And, whether or not you end up meeting people you vibe with, you'll have an entertaining show to watch, so it's a win-win situation. Check out popular spots like Broadway Comedy Club, Greenwich Village Comedy Club, or Comedy Cellar.

Take a chance and introduce yourself to a stranger.

If you see someone who seems cool in public, be bold and say hello. This might be the most nerve-wracking option, especially if you’re a bit more introverted. However, taking that leap of faith and being proactive is often the best way to build new connections. For example, if you’re at a coffee shop and the person sitting next to you is reading your favorite book, take a chance and let them know. Or, maybe you notice someone wearing an amazing outfit while you’re out shopping. Be bold let them know you think they have great style. These simple comments could get a conversation going, which is the first step to making a new friend!