Making friends in London is hard—especially as an adult. Sure, there’s millions of us living in the city, but that’s also part of the problem. Existing within a sea of faces you don’t know can definitely feel isolating.
And as an adult, the actual task of making connections can feel tougher, too. Without institutions like school or university to help you meet people, you pretty much have to get out there and do it yourself.
But don’t worry—it’s absolutely possible to make friends in London in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond.
We created Kindred as a space for Londoners to gather and connect, so we know a thing or two about bringing people together. Here’s our tips on how to make new friends.
How to meet new people
There’s no way around it: to meet new people, you have to put yourself out there. We know that can sound scary and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
The environment you’re in plays a big role here. If you meet someone while you’re doing a fun activity, the interaction will probably be a lot more pleasant than if you started chatting to a stranger on the tube, for instance.
So, our first piece of advice is this: try to put yourself in situations where meeting someone new feels natural. Activity clubs, events, and volunteering are some examples.
We would also suggest going into those scenarios with an open mind. Try not to put too much pressure on a particular event. You can’t force connection: sometimes you just won’t click with people, and that’s okay. Go in there with confidence and kindness, ready to give people a chance.
Okay, now that you’re in the right headspace, let’s dive into some ways you can make friends.
1. Volunteer your time
Is there a particular cause you’re passionate about? Volunteering is a brilliant way to meet people who have similar interests to you. In fact, around nine in ten volunteers say they’ve met new people through their programme.
Plus, over three quarters of volunteers say that volunteering has improved their mental health and wellbeing: 76% of those aged 25-34 said that it helped them feel less isolated.
2. Join a club
Similarly, joining a club based on one of your interests can help you connect with people that you have something in common with.
Seeking out people who are similar to us is just something that humans do—and there’s even scientific research to show it.
There’s a club for just about anything these days: reading books, running, doing crafts, playing board games, watching sports, writing. Your shared interest will make it easier to strike up a conversation and find common ground. Plus, because a lot of clubs meet regularly, you’ll have the chance to get to know people over time.
3. Do a course
Why not sign up for an evening course to learn something new? It could be cooking, sewing, floristry—anything you fancy.
You’ll be put into a room with a handful of strangers who are in exactly the same boat as you: total beginners who are ready to have some fun. It’s the perfect scenario for connecting and making new friends.
And we can personally vouch for that: at Kindred, we’ve hosted workshops where people have come in as strangers and left as friends.
4. Become a gym regular
Did you know that a lot of people go to the gym to make friends? Yep—according to one survey by Zumba, eight in ten adults said they mostly go to socialise.
Going to classes can be one route, as you’ll likely run into the same people week-in, week-out. And sweating together for an hour or so can certainly quash any awkwardness, making it easier to strike up a conversation. Some gyms even hold regular socials.
5. Try an app
When it comes to making friends, there is an app for that—many, in fact. They’re basically designed in the same way as dating apps, only you swipe for potential new pals instead of a date.
Unfortunately, like the dating world, swiping for friendship can come with similar pitfalls, like ghosting or being overwhelmed with choice. But it is a way to meet people who you think you’d be able to connect with, so it’s worth a shot, we say!
And some people do report that it works.
6. Go to a supper club
Yes, these still exist in London! And actually, they appear to be having a revival, thanks to younger generations being fed up with dating apps. But people go to make friends, too.
Supper clubs are exactly what they sound like: you go to someone’s house and they make you dinner, while you sit at a table with strangers. Because they’re typically more intimate events, you’ll probably find yourself naturally chatting to everyone as you enjoy the food that’s brought out.
There’s all sorts of supper clubs. Some might be geared towards people of certain ages or interests, or simply welcome anyone who is interested in a particular cuisine.
7. Come to an event
There’s plenty of events across the city that are specifically about making new friends. And we host them regularly at Kindred.
Our events are carefully designed to make connecting feel effortless. Rather than just sticking a bunch of strangers in a room, we create shared experiences you can enjoy with others.
For instance, we cook one big dinner every month for 100 strangers. Guests are encouraged to attend solo, put their phones away, and concentrate on just being in the moment. There’s activities and games throughout, so it’s never awkward or strained. Did we mention that it’s free?
And for our coworkers, we have a daily coffee social where you can share any goals and challenges you’re working on—and just generally have a bit of a natter. You can take a look at our upcoming events here.
TogethernessFest at Kindred
There’s nothing like connecting with people in person. That’s why we host TogethernessFest every June: to bring Londoners together for a programme of dinners, walks, talks, and workshops across all three floors of our building.
TogethernessFest is about celebrating adult friendship and creating meaningful, shared experiences. Whether you’ve an introvert or extrovert, our events are designed to facilitate genuine connection—and to make talking to strangers feel like a breeze.
You’re cordially invited to join us—we can’t wait to meet you.
