Friendships are key to feeling connected to your community and living a fulfilling life. However, it can be challenging to make friends as an adult, especially if you’re new to the city.
Don’t fret, we’re here to help you out. We’ve compiled a list of 20+ ways to meet new people and build friendships in the Capital City, including clubs, classes, apps, and activities.
Find a hobby
One of the best ways to make friends is to surround yourself with people who have similar interests. Whether that be an artistic hobby like painting or photography or learning how to grow fruit — there are classes you can join.
If you like to read, meet fellow bookworms at a book club. Austin Public Library, BookPeople, and BookWoman have regular meetings, and introverts may find a new pal at Silent Book Club Austin.
Attend community events
Our events calendar will help you find opportunities to get out in the city and meet friendly folks — there’s probably more going on than you think.
Volunteering is also an easy way to connect, and there are plenty of wonderful causes to lend your time to. Explore our guide to volunteer opportunities in Austin to get started.
Additionally, there’s the Austin chapter of Texas Young Professionals, a networking organization that hosts mixers throughout the year, and these upcoming networking events.
Move your body
If you’re into fitness, explore local gyms where you can get active and build community.
There are also run clubs meeting every day of the week in the Capital City, and plenty of pickleball courts where folks are happy to meet a new competitor.
If you’d rather take a walk, try No Girl Walks Alone, a local group aimed at turning strangers into friends through weekly walks around Austin.
Bond over furry friends
“What’s your dog’s name?” may be the easiest friendship pick-up line ever. Use our guide to pet-friendly locales in Austin, bring your pet to a brewery, shopping center, or trail, and spark conversation with other pet owners.
Another easy method: take your pup to a local dog park and bond with other humans over how adorable it is when your four-legged children play together.
Eat dinner with strangers
Feeling brave? Try Timeleft, an app that allows you to take a personality quiz, be matched with five strangers, and simply show up to your dinner reservation. City Editors Morgan and Figi enjoyed their experiences.
You can also join the Austin Young & Awesome Couples & Singles meet-up page, which hosts a “Majority Rules” dinner + drinks each month. Attendees vote for their preferred cuisine, then meet up and converse over the winning meal.
Go mobile
If you’re into live music (we are living in the Live Music Capital of the World, after all), download the Bandsintown app and head out to a concert where you can meet new friends.
Another option is the Fun on Weekdays Austin Facebook group, where women in Austin find common interests, make plans, and foster new friendships.
Finally, Austin-based app Bumble has a Bumble For Friends option, which makes meeting new friends as easy as swiping right and reaching out.
Pro tip: for any of this to work, you’ll most likely need to step out of your comfort zone, but you can consider us your first new friends by subscribing to ATXtoday.
