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Vancouver’s reputation for meeting new people, making friends and dating isn’t exactly awesome... but that doesn't mean there aren’t thousands of interesting people out there looking to meet someone new.
The truth is, Vancouverites just tend to be a little shy. Fortunately there tons of awesome ways to meet fun and exciting new people in the city, you just need to know where to go and how to do it.
So, what’s the secret? Well, if you want to meet interesting people, you’ve got to do interesting things! We partnered with Events & Adventures to bring you the best ways to meet new people in Van.
Group Tours
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Whether it’s a microbrewery tour of Mount Pleasant or a historical walking tour through Stanley Park, group tours are an amazing way to meet new people that share your interest in just about anything. Conversation just seems to flow naturally when there are others about, plus you can always talk about what you’re discovering along the way.
Cooking Classes
Nothing brings people together like food, especially when you’re making it together. Relaxing is so much easier when you are involved in an activity, so get your hands in that pasta dough and start chatting with the people around you. There’s no time to be self-conscious when you’re busy having fun.
Fitness Classes, Group Sports and Adventure Clubs
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The best place to meet new people? Outside of your comfort zone! Action sports like whitewater rafting or ziplining will help you shake up your day-to-day and make new friends in the process. “You learn more about someone in a hour of play than you do in 10 hours of talking,” says Impreet Aulakh, the Event Manager for Events & Adventures Vancouver. “Activities are a great way to experience people in a more authentic way. Plus, participating in group activities puts people in a great mood.”
Dog Parks
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Dog parks are great way for dog owners to meet people with similar lifestyles. You can chat about your furry best friends and maybe even set up a time to hit the dog park together in the near future. Worse case scenario, you’ll get to meet some beautiful pups.
Intimate Concerts
Let’s be real, if there are 30 people in a tiny venue excited to see a that band most people haven’t heard of, you’ve probably got a lot more than just music in common. Strike up a conversation in between bands. Ask people if they’ve seen them before, or what their favourite album is. If you tend to struggle with small talk, simply face the stage and let the music do the talking.
Themed Bars and Trivia Nights
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While we don’t always recommend going to bars to meet people, themed bars or bars hosting trivia nights are a fabulous way to make new friends, mostly because there will be tons of icebreaking topics at your fingertips. If you find yourself running out of things to say, ask people about their jobs or what they like to do outside of work.
Art Classes and Improv
Time to get creative! In all honesty, you’re always going to be more attractive when you are relaxed. Art classes or improv are a great way to drop your guard and give into the moment. Having something to focus on, aside from making a first impression is a great way to alleviate the pressure of meeting new people, especially if you find yourself getting butterflies.
Ready to meet someone new? If you like these suggestions, but don’t know how to get started, let Events & Adventures do the work for you.
Events & Adventures is an invitation-only club that hosts and curates super-fun group outings for like-minded people, encouraging you to meet new people (and maybe find love) in a pressure-free environment.
“Some of our members favourite events are the weekend getaways we have,” says Impreet. “These trips really allow us to spend quality time together and participate in some awesome activities like rafting, wine tours, or lazy river floats”.
To learn more, visit eventsandadventures.com
