Need to make friends in the Queen City? Here’s your guide to Charlotte’s social clubs.
Those days when we made friends on the playground or greeted new neighbors with housewarming gifts — they seem so far away.
Let’s be so for real, making new friends in one of the country’s fastest-growing cities can be overwhelming, and after the start of COVID, it sometimes feels a bit awkward. And, things just aren’t the same these days, especially when everyone seems glued to their phones or wrapped up in online interactions and perceptions.
But no need to worry, Charlotte is a city with tons of people looking for opportunities to make new friends — and there’s a never-ending list of social clubs with specific intentions of helping people make new connections IRL. So, whether you’re into running or you just love a good brunch, there’s a group or two here that can cater to your interests.
Here’s your guide to social clubs and opportunities to spark up new relationships in Charlotte’s social scene:
For if you feel like going to a party
If you find yourself more comfortable socializing at an after-work happy hour or a day party on the weekend, then CLT Social Club’s events are the perfect place to start when looking for a new group of friends in the Charlotte area. You’ll dive in headfirst as more than half of its attendees show up solo, and there are no name tags and no icebreakers.
If you’re more of a foodie, Dope Brunch hosts social events in the area, with some of its most recent events being held at Slingshot – where you and your potential friends could grab brunch and mimosas while playing arcade games.
Here are some more casual atmospheres for making new friends with:
For when you’re feeling athletic
Get your Friday morning started with Charlotte Running Club, which often meets at Summit Coffee 6:15 a.m. Or, if an evening run is more your speed, head to YVY Training at Camp North End and join in on the high vibes running party at Mad Miles Run Club on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
And, if you’re not big on running, go for a climb with one of Inner Peaks’ community events or meetups like “Queer Climb Night” or “Climbing Ladies of Charlotte.”
Other athletic social club options, include:
For the foodie
Grab a bite with CLT Asian Eats, a Facebook group that has held meetups at places like Alley 51, Baoding and Curry Gate and is specifically meant for lovers of the best Asian cuisine in the Queen City.
Another food group, Charlotte Foodies, celebrates “the art of food in all its glory.” The group, which hosts pop-up dinners with multiple courses, focuses on culinary creativity, service, presentation and ingredients while sharing insights and recipes as members explore local hidden gems.
With dinners based on themes and interests, DishCourse offers intimate dinners, specifically created to curb the increasing difficulty of creating meaningful friendships in adulthood. With an average of six strangers, each dinner is designed around your common interests and topics. For example, you can get tickets to dinners with titles like “new in town,” “club 50+,” “childfree by choice” or “must love thrifting.”
For the networker
As it is currently accepting only a limited number of new members, Charlotte City Club, also known as “Uptown’s Best Kept Secret,” is the perfect place to connect with a variety of professionals over cocktails and food. And, once you’re a member, you can utilize the club’s space on West Trade Street to host luncheon meetings and large private events.
Need to get inspired and feel the creative energy at 8 a.m? Creative Mornings at The Mint Museum hosts talks from creative locals who are leading the charge. Plus, your coffee and breakfast is included.
To further grow your professional network in Charlotte, here are some more suggestions:
For the girlies
Charlotte Gals Book Club, which meets on the last Tuesday of each month, is right where you want to chat with your fellow book lover girls in the area. As book club members vote on each month’s book at the beginning of the previous month, you’ll have about 4-6 weeks to get through your novel.
“The book club is for all girlies in their twenties/thirties in Charlotte,” founder Emily Krouse told CharlotteFive.
With previous events like a Garden Soirée Party and a Pink Table Talk party with Pajamas and Prosecco, The Soft Black Girl Club creates an ideal environment for meeting other Black women who share the same values of sisterhood, self-love and community upliftment.
As a community meant to be a village for mothers, The Nest CLT is “for moms. Sometimes dads and rarely kids,” as it touts in its Instagram. The community has previously featured events like a Bridgerton-esque Duchess Soirée, a book club meetup and a sip-and-social cocktail party.
And, there’s Girls Room, where you can catch a vibe at one of its pop-up parties for women, non-binary individuals and underrepresented groups in venues like The Music Yard or Puerta.
More options for meeting new girlfriends, includes:
For sober living
Counter Culture Club is an alcohol-free social club, started by life and alcohol freedom coach Molly Ruggere. While you can mingle with other Charlotteans living an alcohol-free lifestyle at its yoga sessions and a weekly walking club, you’ll also have to attend its next Counter Culture Festival, an event featuring non-alcoholic beverage tastings, tarot readings, food and live music.
For the sports super-fan
If you’ve been trying to round up the right group to come out to a Carolina Panthers game so you can crack open a beer at an upcoming tailgate, Roaring Riot is where you’ll find your people.
More sports-fanatic communities you’ll find, are:
For the enthusiasts
Held on the third Saturday of every month at 8 a.m., Cars and Coffee Charlotte is where you’ll find yourself geeking out over autos with a freshly roasted cup of coffee in hand.
But, if you’re big on pop culture and more importantly, Taylor Swift, The Swiftie Society of Charlotte’s Facebook group of over 3,000 Taylor Swift-loving Charlotteans might be where you need to make a stop. You can expect events like its previously held “Karma Is a Cat” event or its Swift-themed “Fight-to-flow” yoga class.
For when you’re feeling crafty
Into knitting? Weave your way into some friendships with Craft CLT’s Stitch-N-B**** Craft Circle at Petty Thieves every Wednesday at 6 p.m. At this weekly hangout, open to all skill levels, you can grab a draft, sip some wine, get some tips and techniques and gab as you stitch.
For LGBTQ+ spaces
If you’re looking to get involved and make an impact while also finding new friends in the community, Twirl to the World is the place to start. The group has donated over 7,300 toys and items for children in need and donated over $570,000 to local LGBTQ+ and ally programs. You can get involved through volunteering and also take part in one of its tea dance parties.
Other organizations to get involved in, include:
For making an impact
Charlotte Coffee Club creates a community around coffee meet-ups (and sometimes pickleball at Rally) all while helping the community with initiatives like gathering donations for a cause or handing out coffee and bagels in uptown.
Here are some other ways to volunteer in Charlotte:
Did we miss your favorite social club or weekly meet-up? Let us know via email at CharlotteFive@CharlotteFive.com or leave a comment.
