Finding new friends to hang out with can seem hard, especially if you’re a young professional or student who’s just moved to Rochester. But the city is full of friendly people looking to connect! (Just ask the locals who voted grocery chain Wegmans as one of the best places to make friends.)
We polled our leasing staff and residents to compile the best tips for making friends in Rochester, NY! Our list includes ways to explore the vibrant art scene, events at local eateries, and opportunities to get involved with the community.
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Our Top Picks:
- Connect with fellow music enthusiasts on the Rochester Discord chat to hang out at Record Archive—a local record shop with diverse live performances.
- Meet new friends by joining your favorite sports club or sign up for a recreation league at Total Sports Experience. This decked-out sports complex offers soccer, flag football, lacrosse, and more!
- Remember to be proactive when making friends! Try inviting your co-workers to grab lunch or do a happy hour. Getting to know them outside of work can lead to friendship!
1. Make the Most of Your Immediate Network
The easiest way to make new friends is to grow your existing relationships. Try making a conscious effort to step outside your comfort zone by getting to know the people around you. Once you’re acquainted, people may introduce you to their social groups and invite you to events. A friend of a friend is still a friend, after all!
Think co-workers, roommates, neighbors, or friendly faces at your nearest dog park (if you have a pet)!
Feeling intimidated? Try these conversation starters:
- Invite a co-worker to lunch or a happy hour and ask questions that will help you get to know them on a more personal level.
- “What do you like to do in your free time?”
- “What’s your favorite restaurant or bar?”
- “What good movies or TV shows have you seen lately?”
- Introduce yourself to a next-door neighbor by baking a dessert and bringing it over to share. Nice and simple gestures can go a long way when making first impressions!
- Has your dog taken a liking to a particular furry friend? Introduce yourself to the owner and make plans to set up a future doggy play date. Not only is this a great socialization opportunity for you and your dog, but it can also be a lifesaver for dogsitting duties!
2. Post on Rochester Forums for Events and Meet-Ups
While in-person meet-ups are arguably the best way to really get to know a person, engaging in online forums can be great for establishing that initial contact. Join a platform and start a conversation. If you’re feeling the vibes and conversation flow, initiate an in-person meet-up. Below are some forum suggestions.
- Rochester Reddit Forum: Rochester’s most active residents constantly share social events, club invites, and fun activities in the city. Stay in the know about city news while finding groups to hang out with.
- Bumble For Friends: Beyond dating, Bumble BFF helps you find friends with similar interests. Create a profile to share what you’re looking for (movie buddy, book club, etc.) and swipe to connect with like-minded individuals!
- Meetup Rochester: This event calendar includes updates from Rochester’s local eateries, bars, and social clubs. Find the most popular activities in the city and meet new people along the way!
- Rochester, NY Discord: Discord allows users to search and join a diverse range of hobby-based chats. Whether you have a green thumb or enjoy geeking out with Dungeons and Dragons, there is a chat for everyone. Just select your interests and find people who share the same ones.
3. Compete in a Game Night
Group activities like arcades, card games, and trivia nights are a great way to bond with others in low-stakes settings. Rochester has several bars and game centers that host events for individuals to make new friends or compete as groups (gather a group online)!
If you’re into classic video games, visit Arcade 80s to play the largest collection of retro games in Rochester. You can rent out arcade games to spice up your next apartment date night or sell old games in your collection. Similarly, The Playhouse / Swillburger combines nostalgic games with top-rated drinks and food. Try a house-made burger before testing your luck at pinball!
Radio Social takes bowling to the next level with contemporary design, classy Middle Eastern menu, and a wide collection of indoor and outdoor games. Recruit a group to play or sign up for a bowling league at Radio Social’s site!
Board game enthusiasts are sure to love Millennium Games, Rochester’s premier non-electronic game shop. Board games, card games, puzzles, and role playing games (RPGs)—whatever you like, you’re sure to find something from their 1,000+ options. Check their events calendar for beginner-friendly game nights to meet people in a welcoming environment!
Finally, Game Night Rochester is a pop-up dedicated to building community and friends in Rochester through games! Their monthly calendar includes a mix of board games, karaoke, and trivia nights at Rochester’s most popular bars and eateries.
Make friends at a local trivia night at one of these Game Night Rochester partners:
- The Angry Goat Pub
- Swiftwater Brewery
- Ironsmoke Distillery
- Tin Cup Social
- Knucklehead Craft Brewing
- Lovin Cup
- Twisted Rail Brewing Company
- The Old Toad
- Other Half Brewing Company
- ROAR
4. Discover the Rochester Music Scene
Music is a major part of Rochester culture, and there are plenty of cool spots to listen to local musicians. Rochester’s Reddit forum keeps a weekly list of live music in the city. Start a chat online to gather a group of people and attend a concert. Or go stag and strike up a conversation!
Looking for more things to do in Rochester, NY? There are always great free and ticketed performances at Rochester’s annual Lilac Festival, Jazz Festival, and Fairport Music Fest.
Music Events in Rochester, NY:
- Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra: For nearly 100 years, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has aimed to engage Rochester residents with music and art performances. Attend an RPO concert at the University of Rochester’s esteemed Eastman Theatre, a stunning performance hall associated with the city’s most prestigious music school.
- Record Archive: This eclectic music store does more than sell vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes. The back of the shop has a performance stage where music enthusiasts can grab a beer and listen to live bands from all genres.
- Summer Food Truck Rodeos: From April to September, Rochester’s best food trucks gather weekly at the Public Market to bolster the community. Taste the city’s finest dishes while dancing along to live music from local bands.
- Rochester Broadway Theatre League: Is music theatre more your thing? The Rochester Broadway Theatre League offers several musical performances to delight your inner theatre kid!
5. Join a Recreational Sports Club
Whether you’re an athlete or simply someone who enjoys an active lifestyle, consider joining a recreation league in Rochester. Meet and bond with others who share your passion for sports.
There are plenty of locations to play pickleball, tennis, golf, and basketball in the area, and many of these venues host leagues. You can also check out adult soccer, lacrosse, flag football leagues, and more offered at Total Sports Experience, one of Gates’ many attractions. Volleyball fans can join a league through Hotshots.
If you’d like accountability buddies for your running or hiking endeavors, join a regularly scheduled group or club. The Rochester Hiking Meetup Group is a great option for nature lovers.
6. Pick up a Hobby With Others
Rochester’s community is full of passionate hobbyists and enthusiasts eager to share their craft. Take the Rochester Brainery, for example. This organization hosts experiential learning classes at various local venues, from art classes to pasta making. Choose a class from their diverse catalog and make friends while learning something new!
Other popular hobbies that Doud residents love include:
- Cooking: Whether you’re an eater or an amateur chef, Rochester is a haven for foodies. Many local restaurants offer cooking classes through the Brainery to expand your culinary knowledge. Learn how to make tortillas, steak au poivre, and more!
- Arts & Crafts: Nourish your love and appreciation for the arts at the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery, where you can explore and learn in the exhibits and even take art classes ranging from beginner to advanced levels.
- Yoga: Discover your inner zen at one of Rochester’s many quality yoga studios, and enjoy the chance to form meaningful connections with classmates and instructors.
- Sailing: Take advantage of Rochester’s proximity to Lake Ontario and learn how to sail with others at ROC City Sail Club, operating out of Rochester Canoe Club in Irondequoit Bay!
7. Volunteer in the Rochester, NY Community
They say there’s no better source of personal fulfillment than giving back to others. Lucky for you, volunteering is also an incredible way to form close bonds with people who share your values. These nonprofits are always in need of generous helpers:
- The People’s Pantry: An opportunity to provide groceries and personal items to those who need it most. Pick up and distribute food to guests, sort groceries, stock shelves, and raise funds for this local food pantry.
- Ronald McDonald House: Help provide a “home away from home” to families while their children receive medical care for serious health challenges. Cook meals, prepare rooms, help in the office, or do some gardening and maintenance. Even volunteering to drive their van makes a positive difference.
- Humane Society at Lollypop Farm: If you’re an animal lover, donate your time and talents in caring for animals and assisting with programs at this beloved local animal shelter.
- Literacy Rochester: If you consider yourself a natural educator, put your passion for reading, math or the English language to good use and consider instructing with Rochester Literacy, Rochester’s community leader in the cause of literacy.
New to Doud? Find Friends in Rochester!
From exciting game nights to a vibrant food and music scene, making friends in Rochester is as easy as doing the things you love! Remember, you have to put yourself out there to meet new people. Try organizing a meet up on Rochester’s Reddit or Discord channels or use Bumble Best Friend for a more personal hangout.
Doud Apartment Homes is minutes away from the hottest spots in Rochester. Talk to our leasing team to tour our luxury apartment amenities!
Need more to do? Our residents have compiled guides for Rochester’s must-see winter events and fall festivities!
