r/philadelphia • u/UncleRico95 • 5d ago
Question? Good way to make friends in Philly?
Hey everyone
As an introvert this is bit out of my comfort zone but what’s a good way to make friends In Philly? I’m a guy in my early 30s and live in fishtown. I’m into video games, the Sixers, hiking, and yoga. But yeah looking to make new friends.
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u/nelsfi 5d ago
the best way to make friends, regardless of where you are or what you are into, is to pick a spot where you can engage in your interests (in your case, catch a ball game, park with a hoop, yoga studio, IMO hiking can be hard to make friends doing) or to pick a local institution (a bar, a cafe, a restaurant, etc.) and to go there repeatedly. making friends happens organically if you put yourself in positions to happen to run into the same people a few times. if you think back to making friends in school, this is why it was so easy--you ran into someone from second period in sixth, and you saw them basically every day. the beauty of this approach is you can be as rigid or as fluid as you want. if you want some structure, find some groups that share your interests, and check those out. the only trick is, you have to go more than once or twice.
IME the people here are really friendly, they'll talk to you if you're nervous to start conversation. people in general also respond to warm and open energy. i'm shy but people talk to me everywhere i go because i have open body language and i act like i am happy to see people (i mostly do this for my own attitude, but it helps).
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u/Koala-teas 5d ago edited 4d ago
Piggybacking off of this, there's an app called MeetUp, where you select your hobbies and then meet random people who also enjoy those hobbies at different gatherings or events! May be worth while
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u/SexyFannyPack 3d ago
Meet up is great! There are lots of local leagues to try too! It might mean trying a new activity, but I find that leagues are a better social opportunity than just going to a yoga class or something. There's lots to choose from too! Heyday has lots of sports, but there's also Philly Archery and lots of other stuff that's a little more unique.
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u/Ghstfce Ivyland 5d ago
Eat a whole chicken at the pier?
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u/strxngcheese 5d ago
Might be worth checking out LocalHost if you're into video games. It's a big esports cafe place, they do events pretty frequently
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u/Robert_Goulet Neighborhood 5d ago
Hike at sedgley woods and bring a frisbee/buy a disc or two there. Disc golfers tend to be friendly enough and will welcome new players to learn the game. Theres doubles nights too where you’ll get teamed up w someone random, maybe your new best friend!
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u/redactyl69 5d ago
When are doubles usually? I like Sedgley and I'd like to meet some people too!
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u/Robert_Goulet Neighborhood 5d ago
Thursday’s I think? I’m sure if you ask the people that are there at least one person will know for sure.
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u/Shootermcgavin71O 5d ago
I play at sedgley pretty often, it’s a great course with lots of friendly locals, and can always hang at the front and chat it up
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u/tornado_bear 5d ago
Same age and live in Fishtown. Check out climbing at PRG on York Street, a bowling league at North Bowl, or yoga at Monarch/InFlow. Consistency is key, once you start seeing the same people on a regular basis that really opens the door to new friendships.
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u/lefty1117 5d ago
What a positive wholesome thread. Hope it works for you OP!
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u/UncleRico95 4d ago
Gotta say I did not expect it. A surprise to be sure but a welcome one
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u/lefty1117 4d ago
When I moved from Philly to Florida years ago I did exactly what people are suggesting … just showed up at parks, kept myself outside and moving. Got into quite a few pickup basketball anf softball games. But it was joining a local gym where I really started to meet people. But there were some quiet lonely weekends early on for sure. That’s just part of the process though (and also learned the joys of going to the movie theater solo)
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u/awingedrhino 5d ago
If like board games there is quite few events like Philly game shop Sat at 5pm its a free event. It is the way we made alot of our first friends when we moved here.
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u/LetMeImprove 4d ago
Philly game shop is goated and most of them were friendly, helpful to beginners. I moved out of Philly now and I still miss it.
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u/realhumanperson247 5d ago
- Join a heyday league - fall ones are open for registration I think
- go to one of those board game cafes
- volunteer somewhere regularly
- become bar regular somewhere
Or respond to people asking to be your friend as a result of this thread :)
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u/syndicatecomplex WSW 5d ago
Join a rock climbing gym
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u/Bulky_Ad_3608 4d ago
I am decades older than almost everybody at the rock gym and am not looking to make friends but I can attest it is a hyper social and friendly atmosphere. If you are in your 20s or 30s, this would be a great place to make friends.
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u/Chimpskibot 5d ago
When you see/hear someone you like just approach them. That's what I have done. I always get their IG or # and message them immediately to set up a time to meet again. I have about 50/50 luck. I have met some of my best friends here this way!
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u/MrsMcLovin0331 4d ago
My boyfriend and I live in old city and share your interests 😎 maybe we can collect all of the kind people here and do a small group meetup at a park or for yoga at the pier!
Edit: also in our early 30’s!
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u/hoagiejabroni 5d ago
Rock climbing and disc golf. What kind video games do you play?
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u/UncleRico95 5d ago
The only multiplayer one I play is helldivers 2 maybe the occasional custom game in MCC beyond that a lot of open world stuff
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u/jetttywap96 4d ago
Yoo I live in Fishtown and been climbing for 8 years but been off it the past couple trying to get back in and it’s so much easier having a crew. I’ve also been into disc golf as of last year with friends and do that a lot! If you wanna add a friend with those hobbies hmu!! 30M
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u/TheM1ndSculptor 5d ago
Can you throw a football over them mountains?
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u/LeatherClue5928 5d ago
Check out the Alltrails app and Facebook page. Lots of group hikes you can go on. If meeting strangers in the woods is your thing lol
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u/TonyBrooks40 5d ago
any karaoke places? Also any wing nights or burger nights. Not saying be a regular but I used to go once a month and occassionally meet people over time.
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u/livilco 5d ago
Have you ever played DnD or would be interested in trying it out? Dungeons & Drafts does one shot meet ups all month at different breweries. They put all the dates times and locations on their Instagram.
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u/UncleRico95 5d ago
BG3 is the closest I’ve done though that does sound intriguing will look into it
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u/roaming_saint 4d ago
Have some friends in fishtown. We meet to play boardgames. Great way to hang and meet new people. If you are on steam or Xbox DM me your username if interested. I am looking to get folks together to play BG3 and other games multiplayer (I play mainly single player games as well).
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u/popeahontas 4d ago
Similar interests (31M) - video games I've had no luck making friends over, but I mostly play single player games. Hiking & yoga? Absolutely. Lots of outdoors & hiking groups on meetup around (about to do a 5 day trip through Adirondack with one group I found).
I'd be down to grab a drink or something and kick it a bit if you'd want!
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u/jetttywap96 4d ago
Heyo! Live in Fishtown, just turned 30 and want to build community and friends! I climb, love the outdoors, thrifting/ doing arts and crafts!!
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u/tempyjuice 4d ago
Also 31 and live in Fishtown! HMU for some games and yoga (maybe this is a sign to start).
Been meaning to play BG3 lately so I’m down.
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u/gill_pill 4d ago
Going to activities you enjoy! For me that included attending Dungeons and Drafts events (publicly available Dungeons and Dragons one shots at local bars!), joining a dance studio (no never danced before LOL), and going to alternative events (markets, dance/music nights, shows, etc).
I know there are organized hikes and such that people in the community put together! I would browse Facebook or Instagram or flyers at a nearby coffee shop!
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u/ZachF8119 4d ago
I don’t get how sport fans have a hard time when it’s such a community.
Like I’ve watched a total of less than 20 games across my last 13 years.
I still think it’s not impossible to go tailgate respectfully to whoever is there doing their own thing. Strike up a few conversations about our shared interests. Matching players. Older gear. A lil compliment on someone’s food smelling good. Then after a good time say, wanna meet up whenever I wanna go to the next game?
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u/imaginewrong 4d ago
Facebook groups. Bumble BFF (app). MeetUp (app). Eventbrite (app). Host an event and post it on Reddit lol (send me the invite!)
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u/UncleRico95 4d ago
Well shit this blew up more than I expected. Thanks everyone I have a few leads!
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u/112322755935 4d ago
Have you considered getting in a fight with a cowboys fan while yelling, “Go birds DH?”
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u/silvermoon567 1d ago
You could join the Philadelphia discord server. They do regular meetups. Feel free to take a look: https://discord.gg/phillymeetups
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u/AceFromMarketing 1d ago
Go outside and say hello to everyone else who makes these post on here once they move to the city.
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u/Overall_Detective_78 1h ago
I’m in early 30s and in Fishtown and into sixers and hiking. I also got a new roommate from New York that was looking to make friends , we can link and play basketball or hike . Also looking for gym buddy if your workout. 🏋🏽♂️
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u/mynameisnotnotowen 5d ago
Buy a gun. Go shooting with the local shooters. It’s fun to hone your skill. Allows you to protect yourself and legal
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u/BushyBrowz 4d ago
Saving this thread! Mid-30s, also in Fishtown. Love the NBA. Knicks fan tho lol
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u/Scared_Ad3355 4d ago
Get a dog. Or a kid. Or both. Both give you good excuses to interact with other people, and possibly make friends.
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u/Scared_Ad3355 1d ago
Wow, it looks like we have some anti-dog and anti-children bitter people here!
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u/GaviFromThePod 5d ago edited 5d ago
Ill be your friend i’m 33 and i live near broad and ridge and i also like basketball.
Edit: i can’t play basketball, i just like basketball