Moving to a new big city is as exciting as it is scary. You get to experience things you’ve never had the opportunity to before, but loneliness can quickly creep in, especially if you don’t know anyone else in the area.
Dublin is one of those cities that can feel both incredibly small and incredibly vast. There are many local hotspots and opportunities to meet people, but it can be a large, lonely place if you have no idea where to get started.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best ways to easily make friends in Dublin.
Frequent Your Local Coffee Shop
Dublin has a lively cafe culture, and having a cup of coffee might just be the start of lasting friendships. Locals and expats tend to frequent these establishments, working remotely for a few hours, meeting up with friends, or playing board games while eating pastries.
The Fumbally and Bewley’s Grafton Street are two noteworthy options, as random meetups can happen quickly while drinking a cup of tea. The trick to meeting someone at a coffee shop is that you need to be open to conversations with strangers, even if it is small talk. It might just lead to something more.
Many Dublin cafes host events, too. These can be quiz nights or pop-up talks by industry experts, like coffee roasters or pastry chefs. Local events are perfect to organically meet like-minded individuals while also providing you with a topic of conversation to get started.
Join Online Gaming Communities
Exploring online games is an easy way to connect with others, and if you’re lucky, they may even live in Dublin. Playing games with others online leads to camaraderie as you take on opponents and bosses in a team game. However, it all comes down to choosing the right game and the right community platform.
One gaming genre that is becoming increasingly popular is iGaming, or online casinos. Once, gambling was considered a solitary experience, but internet casinos have made it much more social, where users can play poker online against other people, and top gamblers stream their slot sessions to hundreds of viewers. eSportsInsider says that the best online casinos are player-focused, delivering top service to gamers in Dublin and beyond. These casino platforms are often supported by strong communities, which can be found on the many gambling forums available online.
Other popular games that often result in budding friendships include Minecraft, Stardew Valley, Overwatch 2, and Sea of Thieves. These games focus on collaboration and communication, and they have massive online communities sharing tips and achievements.
Participate In A Sport
Sports bring people together like no other hobby can. There is something about sweating and struggling with other people on the field or court, a joint suffering that creates a deep connection.
If you have any sports you enjoy, even if you’re not very food, you should check out any of the many sports clubs in Dublin. Some options include:
- Running: Happy Feet Run Club, Dublin Runners, Sole Mates Run Club, Mild Activity, Inner City Running, Run Club Social.
- Football: Amateur Football League, Sheriff YC, Powerleague Dublin Spawell (5-a-side).
- Swimming: Dublin Swimming Club, SwimCamp, Half Moon, Aer Lingus.
- Padel: Bushy Park, House of Padel, Bective.
- Tennis: Mount Pleasant LTC, Ashbrook Lawn, Fitzwilliam Lawn, Westwood Club.
- Hiking: Trail Blazers Hiking Group, Hillwalkers Club, Wayfarers Hiking Club, Galz Gone Wild.
- Cycling: Dublin Wheelers, Orwell Wheelers, Clondalkin Cycling Club, Bray Wheelers.
- Yoga: Yogahub Camden, Mandala Yoga Dublin, The Space Between.
There are plenty of sports facilities in the city where you can meet both casual and professional athletes.
Going to the gym is also a great way to meet people, especially if you join a workout class. You will sweat it out to loud music along with a room full of other people, which creates a bonding experience like no other.
Use Meetup Apps
Meetup is one of the most powerful apps for making connections with locals and travellers. This app posts local events in your city of choice. Meetup allows organisers to create social events or other events based on shared interests or professional networks.
Eventbrite is another popular option. This platform can be used to find local events and purchase tickets, including for workshops, festivals, and one-off events. It doesn’t have social groups like Meetup, but it is still great for staying up to date with what’s happening in the city.
Cityoscializer is similar to the Meetup model, helping users meet new people through local events.
If you’re willing to put yourself out there, then the popular dating app, Bumble, has a BFF function where you can match with people of your gender to connect and make friends. Caring locals often use Bumble to help newcomers settle into the city.
Volunteer Locally
Volunteering is a rewarding way to connect with your community while meeting people who share your values and interests. The city has plenty of volunteering opportunities through organisations like Volunteer Ireland, covering everything from environmental cleanups to community events.
Volunteering is the perfect pastime, whether you’re new to town or looking to expand your social circle. You will have the opportunity to engage with other passionate people while making a positive impact.
It creates natural spaces for conversation and collaboration, which can lead to meaningful friendships. Many projects have flexible scheduling, allowing you to either take part once-off or commit to ongoing projects that match your lifestyle. You can help to organise festivals, join cleanup drives, or assist with educational programs.
Attend Cultural Events
Dublin has a busy cultural calendar with endless opportunities to meet new people. The Dublin Theatre Festival attracts locals and visitors, creating an engaging environment around a shared appreciation of the arts. The St. Patrick’s Festival is another highlight of the year, when the city is transformed into a massive celebration of Irish heritage. There are parades, performances, pub specials, and workshops.
Art lovers should focus on the Dublin Fringe Festival. Here, performances and installations occur across the city.
Attending these festivals will give you a deeper connection with Dublin and also flood you with opportunities to talk to others.
Go To A Workshop Or Class
Workshops and classes are an excellent way to meet new people in Dublin, plus you will be learning something new, too. Two unique options are the Dublin Pottery School and Coocks Academy. You will respectively learn to craft ceramics and cook meals. These interactive environments allow conversations with other attendees to flow naturally, and there will likely be lots of laughter as sauces split and steaks burn.
TechMeetups.com frequently posts about local coding bootcamps and sessions where new innovations are discussed. They are perfect networking opportunities for those who are eager to share their tech ideas. Those who enjoy fitness can participate in sessions at Dance Ireland. You can learn to make your own jewellery at Silver Works, learn to sew at Change Clothes or When Poppy Met Daisy, or master the art of crochet at The Knitting Room. Richmond Barracks is another venue where there is a constantly-changing list of workshops, from learning to detox your home to singing for fun.
Whether you are getting started with a new hobby or improving an existing skill, the many workshops and classes in Dublin are the perfect path to lasting friendships.
