Where do people meet up socially at least once a week?

Board games is an easy one. Tend to get a lot of repeats for those. I just started going to a new group myself that's meeting once every other weekend, and several of the same people are signed up for the next one. I went to one hosted by a library for a while, and they had like 5 people that showed up to pretty much every single one.

I'm also a member of a local writer's group and a lot of the same people have been in that group for over a decade at this point. Got to know quite a few people from there. I've been bad about going lately though (speaking of which, I need to start showing up again).

One of the local meetup groups (for 'Millenials') hosts various things that has some of the same people show up a lot. Not everyone, and not to every meetup but quite a few repeats.

In fact, Meetup in general tends to have the same people show up to different meetup groups. At that board game meetup I went to for the first time, I ran into three people who I've known at meetups for other meetup groups. I try out several meetup groups (including those hiking groups you dismissed) so I'm also one of those people.

At one point I admin'ed a geeky meetup group, and got to know quite a few people from that, several of which I've since been to private gatherings, weddings, baby showers, funerals, since, so pretty close. I didn't start hosting it, I offered to keep it going after the original admin moved away.

I like to design games too, and got to know several people by showing up to small conventions multiple times, playing their game designs, inviting people at those conventions who live nearby to playtest nights that I host, etc. Doesn't have to be designing games, just insert a different hobby where people would like to show off their talents and appreciate feedback or small favors and try to give back in return.

There's several people I've gotten to know in some smaller Discord groups just over time. You kind of have to stick around and interact long enough that you become one of the regulars, even if you start as a random.

Rock climbing gym can be a great place to socialize. Most people are not actively climbing; they're just standing there staring at a problem on the wall while figuring out how to solve it, or recovering from a climb they just got off. Plenty of opportunities to strike up a conversation with people.

I don't recommend approaching people at the gym while they're working out, that is considered creepy/socially awkward.

Church Men's Group at 5:30am on Friday mornings. 18-20 guys from all ages 12 to 93 show up. It's a really great way to stay in touch with where you've come from and where you're going.

Ultimate Frisbee - People are generally very friendly and there's a "dirtbag" community mentality because people are used to traveling together to tournaments and sleeping on floors. You don't have to do that immediately, just find your local pickup game, and be friendly and humble. People will usually go out for beer or food afterwards too. Ultimate players also tend to have other hobbies like boardgames.

I think the decline of the "third place" in modern society is a big contributor to loneliness

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place

Personally, I've found a pseudo third space on Discord - my friends and I share a common chatroom that we just hop in whenever we're free during the lockdowns to chat and sometimes play games

hang out at the neighborhood Starbucks/Panera a lot

Substitute "Barnes & Noble Cafe" for Starbucks, and yeah, that's what works for me. I've met tons of people, and made a few new friends, just by hanging out at that cafe a lot. In fact, if anything it can almost be too "social" at times, because most of the time when I go in there my underlying purpose is actually to work. But I've gotten to know so many people who work there or visit regularly, that some days I'll be sitting at a table trying to work, and have a nearly non-stop stream of people stopping to just chat and socialize. It's a little bit of a catch-22 since I don't want to shun people and act anti-social - especially given how much I do value those social interactions in general. But some days I almost find myself wanting to go somewhere where I'm not so well known just so I can get work done without so many distractions.

Nobody ever said life was easy. And boy, were they right! :-)

- I've seen team based sports be interesting for this. Like here in London, I meet a lot of folks at the cricket club. Atleast 80% of the people turn up 2-3 times a month. And then from where people end up catching up at pubs etc.

- Board games clubs

- I am not sure but maybe certain cohort based courses that involve group accountability? I'd assume if you're in a localized group like OnDeck, YC, or even a humour writing workshop down the road, chances are churn might be low (coz there's an actual cost or opportunity cost) and people are likely to connect to get feedback/accountability etc. This might be a good start to building a relationship - once the course is over, maaaybe you might stay in touch?

The other activity is to involve existing friends (incase they're nearby but don't meet often) to try to do things you like. I've seen a friend do this with Pottery classes on weekends and has been doing this for a while now, but ofcourse could be applied to anything.

I have to say I don't agree with a few items on your list. Don't have children or "get" animals just because you want something to fill the void. That's some kind of slavery.

Specifically on "getting" an animal, if you do get an animal, get one that's actually in need. Only evil people buy animals from breeders.

Makerspace / hackerspace. Mine does an open house every week and maybe 3-10 classes or other events most weeks.

Wine Bars work for us. When you go, sit at the bar, introduce yourself & your companion to the bartender, ask them for their favourite wine, specify red or white, if you know, if not, trust the bartender. Drink the glass slowly, while you chat up every person at the bar.

If you live in an area with a craft brewery scene, ask them about which night of the week is slowest. Offer to host an event... trivia, board games, a hobby meet up, whatever you are interested in... you can even make it a destination for a running or biking club... on that night. They'll usually be happy to advertise it in order to get a few more people in on the "dead" night and you'll have a regular place to go to indulge something you enjoy while meeting new people.

I've done this twice at two different breweries and at this point the groups are self-sustaining with Facebook & Discord groups managed by other group members.

I don’t recommend the kids one. You might get to talk to some people, but only about kids, and only in 10 second intervals before being interrupted by said kids. Also, when you go back home, you still have to take care of them.

That is a great list, each time I thought of something ... it was already on your list.

Work could be expanded:

* Standups and daily rituals

* Company organized, team building / social events

  * Habitual things like "Friday Pub"

  * Not so habitual things like "Christmas Do, End of Quarter Celebration"

* Ad hoc group things organized within the company, e.g. Wednesday's rock climbing. You are not necessarily 'friends' with the people yet. Often sports.

* Friends you have made at work and planned things outside of work with, to do regularly.

- Car club. I am happy 1972 VW Bus owner in SF bay, it's somewhat easier to make friends, and also to hang out. I encourage every hacker to sell your Tesla and buy VW bus/bug, and if you want to, I can give you a free bus tour in SSF, as well as tips/advice on buying such a bus. There is a good number of events in SF bay to go to

Public skatepark is a great place to make friends from all walks of life. Another great activity-based one is motorcycle group rides. Otherwise hosting weekly event nights at home. There's also a fair amount of "rationalist" or Effective Altruism events in the Bay Area for IRL HN-like intellectual discussion, dinners, movie nights, and what not.

I'm not sure the coworking spaces not being effective is correct. I've never used one, but a friend of mine gained an entire social circle through a coworking space after moving to a new city. Some of those people are now my friends as well.

Any hobbiest club? From martial arts to magic the gathering if you are interested in something and in a non-rural setting you likely have a club that meets regularly for that interest.

https://meetup.com

I'm not affiliated with them, just a happy customer.

Weekly bar trivia? Although I get there's a bit of a chicken and egg thing with becoming part of a team.

Bars. May or may not be the type of company you want.

Find a locals bar, then you'll have everyday regulars.

For me, as a student, it's university. I am also looking to start membership for gym too.

Twitter Spaces! You can find anyone to talk about anything.

Fight Club.