Look, we all feel lonely sometimes - it’s not something we should be ashamed of. Maybe you’re ‘surrounded’ by people constantly, but don’t really feel like anyone hears you - or maybe you’re new to London, and looking for a good evening with some new pals. Whatever the reason, it’s great to always be open to hanging out with new people, finding new support systems, new voices, and new opinions to spice up your life with.
Don’t get me wrong, the thought of making new friends as an adult can be daunting. Gone are the days where a life-long friendship could be forged by telling the fellow 7 year old across the playground that you like her sparkly pink trainers. These are the days where colleagues keep their heads down on the tube, fearful of the dreaded conversation outside of work - or worse - having to make small-talk for 3 full stops. But, guess what - there is still hope! Despite popular belief, the creation of adult friendships don’t HAVE to be confined to the four walls of the work-space. No - they can take place anywhere, and by plenty of means.
Without further ado, here are 5 ways to meet new friends in London that DON’T include arranging a coffee with the girl from the sales department after three too many G&T’s at the Christmas work party - only to avoid her at all costs the following Monday!
So, here goes:
Volunteer for a cause
Join meetup groups
Take classes or workshops
Go to cultural events and festivals
Attend pub quiz nights
Volunteer for a cause
London has an amazing number of volunteer opportunities across a wide variety of causes, from helping at local food banks to assisting with environmental conservation efforts. Volunteering is one of the few things that benefits both you AND the community. It’s an opportunity to not only give back, but also to connect with individuals who share similar values to you - AKA, a fast-track to a pool of people who have the same interests as you!
For example, if you’ve got a passion for animals, maybe you want to find someone to chat about dogs with over brunch. If that’s the case, look no further than volunteering opportunities at the RSPCA! You’re sure to find a friend with a shared love for ‘man’s best friend’.
Join meetup groups
Okay - say approaching someone reading a book in a coffee shop and attempting to strike up a conversation isn’t your vibe - we totally get it. That’s why sometimes it’s easier to make connections with people at something like a meetup group, where everyone is there with the same intentions. People going to the meetup are there to make new friends - they won’t tell you to leave them alone and let them sip their oat latte in peace.
Try going along to a StoriBoard Dinner Club – they take place every Tuesday at 7pm. The concept is pretty simple - good food, and even better company. All you have to do is take a 5-minute quiz which aims to understand your hobbies, any food preferences, and what conversations you’d enjoy. Then, get matched with 5 like-minded people that you've got a ton in common with! All you have to do is sit back and relax whilst StoriBoard do the rest - dinner reservations and all. Once the location of the restaurant is released on Monday, rock up to the hidden-gem spot, and enjoy 25% off your meal with your new friends. It’s that easy!!
Take classes or workshops
How about signing up for classes like cooking, art or yoga? Regularly attending these sessions will allow you to meet people who have similar interests to you in a relaxed environment, making it super easy to start up conversations and build connections. Do you like the way someone has really captured that bowl of fruit in life-drawing? Think someone’s absolutely nailed the downward-dog in yoga? Go tell them! You never know, you might have a thing or two in common.
Find yoga classes in London here, or check out life-drawing here.
Go to cultural events and festivals
London is famous for its vibrant cultural scene, with a number of festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and theatre performances throughout the year. Maybe it’s Notting Hill Carnival, Southbank events, or smaller local gatherings - attending these can expose you to new experiences and new people who are just as interested in the world around them as you are. One minute, you’re bonding over having the same favourite painting in an art gallery, and the next, you could be enjoying a conversation together in the gallery coffee shop (I’ve heard the Tate do a great banana bread).
Plus, even if you don’t find your twin flame at Notting Hill Carnival, who could pass up dancing through the streets on a Sunday afternoon?! London has so much to offer.
Attend pub quiz nights
Pub quizzes are some of the most popular social activities in London, especially for people who enjoy a spot of trivia with a pint on the side. Many pubs host weekly quiz nights where teams can join in, or you can even team up with strangers, providing an easy way to speak to new people. What’s even better, is that taking part in a pub quiz can cost as little as £1 per person. That’s just £1 to be in a feel-good environment, with an amazing group of teammates/potential friends - not to mention the quiz questions acting as a natural conversation ice-breaker.
So, whether you’re debating a team name, celebrating a group victory, or having a drink together after an embarrassing loss on the ‘Who tweeted that?’ round - do it with your new pals, and enjoy!
Make new friends by joining the StoriBoard Dinner Club. Take our 5-minute quiz, get paired up with five like-minded people, and enjoy 25% off a meal at a mystery, hidden-gem restaurant. Making new friends has never been so easy!
If you are struggling with loneliness or your mental health, download the StoriBoard app to make meaningful connections with people who know what you are going through, can relate themselves, and can both validate and support you through any hard time.
Jasmin Morris is a Psychology student at the University of Leeds and currently a Marketing Intern at StoriBoard.