We get it. It can be difficult to make friends as an adult, especially if you’re new to TBAY. We even stumbled upon a Reddit thread about it.
So hey friends, we’re here to help.
Note: this list is generally for people 25 and up.
Go to community events
Head over to our events calendar. It’s updated monthly and there to help you find opportunities to get out in all parts of Tampa Bay and meet new people — there’s probably a lot more going on than you think.
We also recommend joining the Tampa Bay Networking Facebook page, an organization that promotes social growth through happy hour meet-ups.
And for young (or young-at-heart) professionals, we recommend checking out either the St. Pete Young Professionals Group or the Tampa Bay Young Professionals Group. Both groups offer everything from bowling, wine tasting, and volunteering to casual soirées, volunteering and just hanging out.
Tampa Bay Girlfriends is a social group for ladies in their mid 20s to 40s trying out the hottest restaurants, shops, and events. Keep an eye on their page for all kinds of happy hours and outdoor activities.
Find a hobby
One of the best ways to make friends is to surround yourself with people who have similar interests. Whether that’s an artistic hobby like painting, creative writing, or sewing — there’s a class you can join.
One of the most tried and true ways to meet people is through a book club, and lucky for you, we put together a list of clubs around town.
More into spending time outdoors? Join Tampa Bay Club Sport. The adult recreation sports league hosts everything from daily volleyball, kickball (unleash your inner fourth grader), and cornhole tournaments to beach bar crawls.
Cardio kings and queens, there’s plenty of running clubs for you to join too. Locals know running culture runs deep here in TBAY.
Pro tip: For any of this to work, you most likely will need to step out of your comfort zone — but consider us your first new friends.
