How to make friends in New York City
For the city that buzzes come day or night, making new friends in New York can still be challenging. Especially for those in their 30s and 40s, when most friendship groups have already been established.
But, it’s vitally important to know how to make new friends, and feel that you can. According to a recent survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, New York City has a population of just over eight million people, while further US data indicates that 31% of those New Yorkers live alone. And, following a NYC Health survey, the government’s mental health plan, it was found that loneliness can be a huge factor for people, contributing to lack of sleep and ill health.
Panic not, however. There are plenty of events and experiences geared toward bringing like-minded people together, no matter what your interests. Affordable or free classes are available in parks and community education centres, while creative classes and events are held city wide and social nights for solos are taking off. From aerial trapeze to life skills labs to events, like Flash Pack’s Solo Cities, there’s plenty of opportunity to get out and make new friends.
How to meet new people in New York City
New York City doesn’t do things by halves. Fast-paced and frenetic, it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you’re alone and wishing you had people to share it all with. But it doesn’t need to be. From the classic tour buses or city walks to more under-the-radar events, such as women empowerment dance classes and aerial arts, there’s a plethora of events and activities to keep you entertained in the city and, better still, help you meet friends along the way.
Meet up groups
Meet up groups are a really easy way to meet other like-minded souls. Firstly, you’re all there for the same reason; to meet others and share interests. One of the best places to start is Meet Up, a platform that hosts daily events across hundreds of cities worldwide. Just search by city or event type to find what takes your fancy. There’s everything from casual drinks, conversation and trivia to sketching in Central Park to dinner gatherings.
Free events
While some events in New York City can be pricey, others are completely free. The New York City Parks website has over 1700 parks and a packed calendar of events, with everything from cardio sculpt to line dancing and aerobics. Event types include concerts, movies, fitness and games, so it’s easy to find the thing that interests you the most. Alternatively, EventBrite has paid and free events across the city and neighbouring boroughs. Try a puzzle brunch meet-up in Brooklyn or a BYO comedy show at a barbershop in the East Village.
Classes
If you’re looking to learn a new skill, there’s ample opportunity in New York City. There are plenty of options to hone your crafting skills, from pottery classes at ceramic studios to crafting workshops to beer brewing in Brooklyn. There are also wilder options, from aerial trapeze to naked yoga. Gyms are ten a penny and also a great way to spark up conversation over a shared interest, from classes to regular workouts. In fact, New York City has some of the toughest workouts, from strength and conditioning at Tone House to HIIT and strength workouts at the Fhitting Room.
Group tours
Want to explore, see the sights or do an activity but not alone? Group tours of activities are the ideal way to share the experience with others and see all that New York City has to offer. There are small group tours, such as a New York by night bike ride to a walking food tour of Greenwich Village. There are quirkier activities, such as a sail on a wooden schooner along the Hudson River with wine and cheese or a hip hop tour in the Bronx. Or try a walking tour. No More Lonely Friends is a large community that connects solos and helps create new friendships, while walking club, City Girls Who Walk, set off around Central Park every Sunday.
Join a club
Clubs are a great way to build friendships over time. You invariably see the same faces each week, having the chance to build a rapport and solidify new relations. You also get to do something that interests you at the same time, meaning it’s a win win. There are hundreds of clubs that cover everything from a love of books to shuffle dancing to photography.
Friend finder apps
Finding friends can be difficult, especially during our 30s and 40s when most friendship groups have already been formed. But it’s not impossible, you just need to know where to look. Apps like Bumble BFF allow you to find people that share interests and similar outlooks on life, as you would on a dating app. And, for the LGBTQI+ community, Lex is a great resource for finding groups and events that offer the potential of new friendship.
Volunteering
If you’ve never considered volunteering, now is a good time to give it a go. It’s a wholly altruistic act, as well as an ideal way to meet new people. Those who volunteer tend to do so regularly, as well as enjoying the social element that comes with it. There are plenty of opportunities, from charities to corporations to mentoring programmes. New York Cares is a large organisation that lists various charity volunteer opportunities on their website, while spots like Prospect Park have their own volunteer programmes for helping to maintain and clean and prosperous environment.
Food courts
While dining alone in a restaurant can be intimidating for some, eating out at a food court provides the perfect middle ground. Food trucks generally serve up restaurant quality food but the environment is much more relaxed and inviting to conversation. Tables are mostly communal benches and people often dine alone, meaning the chance to strike up some chit chat is much easier. Time Out and Chelsea markets are the big hitters, but there’s also the likes of The Hugh, Urban Hawker and Gotham West also serving up some delectable treats.
Best areas to meet new people in New York
New York City is comprised of five boroughs and over 50 districts, all with completely different personalities and attributes. Knowing where to head means you can hit the ground running, finding the areas that are best for meeting other like-minded people. Here are the four best places to make friends in New York City.
West Village
On the west side of Manhattan, right on the edge of the Hudson River, the arty West Village is a pretty enclave of cobblestone streets, independent boutiques and quaint restaurants. It’s the sort of place you’ll find writers and artists creating their craft, people drinking coffee in buzzy little cafes or sitting on their stoops reading the paper. And, it’s perfect for a solo stroll and refuelling pit stop. (1) St Jardim on the corner of West 10th Street serves breakfast with its coffee and, come night, turns into a small plate mecca. Part of 1.5 mile (2) High Line passes through the village, an ideal place to pause and people watch. And the (3) Whitney Museum of American Art has a constant stream of interesting exhibitions.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Greenpoint’s hipster credentials continue to grow as Brooklyn’s appeal spreads well beyond Williamsburg. North of the borough, trendy food spots, thrift stores and art galleries offer a wealth of things to see and do. Start with a mooch around the (4) Greenpoint Terminal Market, an expansive hub on Noble Street, with vendors selling everything from vintage clothes to plants. At foodie bookstore, (5) Archestrat, you can peruse books or sit in the cafe and chat to other bibliophiles over a cup of tea or local craft beer. They also host events, performances and dinner parties.
Upper West Side
The tree-lined Upper West Side, to the west of (6) Central Park, offers some solace from the hustle and bustle of downtown Manhattan. It’s a more suburban neighbourhood but peppered with some incredible eateries, an impressive performing arts centre and easy access to the park. (7) Jacob’s Pickles is a local favourite, serving southern food, with tables outside and a community atmosphere in. The vast (8) Lincoln Center hosts ballets, operas and theatre performances, as well as discussions and classes. And, nearby Central Park is ideal for a breather in nature.
Gramercy
On the crossover between uptown and downtown, Gramercy is a small enclave that packs a big punch. Both (9) Gramercy Theatre and (10) Irving Plaza play host live music performances, while the (11) Fotografiska Museum houses some stunning exhibitions over a few floors. And, while not known for its restaurants, there’s actually a wide-range of eateries, from the first ever Shake Shack to Michelin-started Gramercy Tavern.
Top 5 venues in New York City to meet new people
Drinking in an NYC institution
Sunny’s in Brooklyn’s Red Hook is a New York City institution. An unassuming bar opposite Pier 44, it’s been creating a buzz since it first opened as a restaurant in 1890. Named after the original owner, and still run by his grandson, the place is now a lively bar and live music venue. You’ll find quirky knickknacks all over the place and art exhibitions on the walls. It’s the kind of place that makes it easy to come alone but spend the night with new friends.
Finding friends in the park
With well over 1000 parks in New York City, there’s always an opportunity to watch the world go by from one of the benches and even make small talk with a fellow people-watcher. But, one of the best parks for a bit of social is Bryant Park, right behind the New York Public Library. There’s a free petanque court, ping pong tables, putting green and board games for use. Ask someone nearby if they want to play and off you go. There are also plenty of tables and chairs dotted along the walkways or outside cafes and pop up food stalls, perfect for a sit and social.
Dining at the bar
Lots of New York City restaurants allow people to sit at the bar without a reservation, making it perfect for solos to just rock up and dine at some of the best. Or they hold back tables for walk-ins – at these it’s best to make an appearance before or after the normal 7.30pm to 9.30pm rush. Balthazar is a New york classic, serving brasserie-style food. Brooklyn’s Lucali, a pizza joint made famous by the Beckhams, doesn’t take any reservations. But come by around 4pm to put your name down to secure a table later. The Gramercy Tavern has been a Manhattan staple for over 30 years. They only accept walk-ins but also have a long bar if you want to blend in a little more.
After dark museum tours
Many of New York City’s museums and galleries are open ‘after dark’, making them quieter and easier for solo travellers to spark up conversation over an Impressionist masterpiece or ancient artifact. And, come night, some are pay-as-you-wish donation, so you can peruse while firmly protecting the purse strings. You’ll need to check the museum websites for specific openings hours but safe to say, they’ll be no elbowing to see that Monet or Van Gogh. Try the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Big Apple Greeters
Less of a venue, more of an event, the Big Apple Greeter has local volunteers who act as ‘friends’ to spend a few hours with in the city. This free-of-charge service is a great way to discover areas you might not want to venture to alone and in the company of someone else. Greeters, while not official tour guides, share their personal knowledge and experience so you get a proper insider experience. And, depending on who you’ve been matched with, they may even be able to tell you where to go next to continue mingling with others. Simply register a few weeks before travel and wait to be paired with a new pal.
Is it easy to make friends in New York City?
Making friends anywhere can be intimidating or tricky to maneuver but in a vibrant city like New York it can be easier than you imagine. Day or night, there are bars, restaurants, shows and events happening across all five boroughs, many of which are ideal for solo travellers. And, out of these minglings come some wonderful new connections. It’s important to remember that some new friendships are formed immediately, while others can take a little time, but all are equally rewarding.
For those still nervous of venturing out alone, group solo events are a superb alternative. Flash Pack’s Solo Cities events include house parties regularly hosted in city hotel apartments and bring together like-minded people wanting to meet new friends. Events are currently hosted in London, Los Angeles and New York, with more to follow. Ticket prices include the event, games, an open bar and snacks – new friendships are free.
Is New York City fun to visit alone?
As cities go, New York is one that really knows how do fun. Even on the streets, artists and performers are out creating a buzz. From cafes with pretty courtyards to live music venues drawing in the crowds to restaurants serving up areas to dine alone, there’s something to appeal to all comfort zones and tastes. New York City really is an ideal starting point for solo travellers. While you can be on your own, it’s almost impossible to be.
Flash Pack’s Solo Cities events cater for a range of interests and appeal to those wanting to make new connections but not really knowing how. They are about reclaiming cities for those in their 30s and 40s venturing out alone, bringing solos in rather than making people feel excluded. Events cater to different interests, from social dining to comedy events to house parties. And, with a carefully curated guest list, you’ll be hard pressed to come away from the night without at least one new What’s App contact or social follow.
Looking to meet like-minded people in New York City? Find out how to meet new people in New York City and book your place at our Solo City events.
Flash Pack is a group travel company that specialises in small group adventures for solo travellers in their 30s and 40s. Find out more about how we work, and our mission to build a global community of friendships.
