Whether you just moved to the 804 or have been here all your life, it might seem hard to meet new people. Here are some local tips and tricks to get out and make friends in the River City.
Our suggestions are based on finding new friends through your passions and interests — so even if you don’t meet your BFFL (best friend for life), you’ll still likely have a good time.
Social Clubs
The website Meetup can be a useful tool to find local groups. In Richmond, there are groups for different interests — cinema, running, game development, community service — as well as identity groups, like older adult clubs and organizations for women.
Trying to Adult RVA and Social Club RVA host events specifically designed to meet new pals.
River City Sports & Social Club is one of the larger clubs for adult recreational sports. Leagues include basketball, bowling, cornhole, dodgeball, and skee-ball, depending on the season. You can form your own team or — to meet new people — register as a free agent and get placed on one.
Bonus: If you’re looking to make connections through business rather than socially, we’ve got you. Check out these networking groups.
Here is a list of clubs and groups with public events, categorized by interest.
- Art | Art Deco Society
- Cinema | Richmond City Cinema Club
- Community Service | Keep Virginia Cozy
- Dance | Richmond Tango, RVA Square Dance, RVA Swing, The Dance Friends
- Dogs | Richmond Dachshund Meetup Group
- Game development | Richmond Game Dev, RVA Game Design
- Games | RVA Pieces, Richmond Chess Social, Scott’s Addition Board Game Society
- Hiking/Walking | 20s & 30s Hiking and Outdoor Adventures Group, James River Hikers
- Languages | Alliance Française de Richmond, Richmond German Language Meetup
- Outdoors | Richmond Tree Stewards, Maymont Community Garden
- Running | RVA Running
- Sports | River City Sports & Social Club, CLUBWAKA, Richmond Volleyball Club
- Sobriety/Alcohol-free | Tiny Adventures
- Writing | James River Writers
Have a group you want us to add to our list? Let us know and we’ll check it out.
Classes
Develop a skill and find people with similar interests by enrolling in a class or program.
Try your hand at loom weaving, pickleball, aerobics and more through Richmond Parks and Recreation’s programming. Pro tip: Follow the Instagram to see when new classes are announced and open for registration.
Multi-week classes at Visual Arts Center of Richmond can also be a fun way to learn something new and build relationships with classmates over a longer period of time.
Find even more options based on your interests with our guide to classes for adults.
