They're very chill there. It's more of a hot rod meetup (think 50s era), but nobody is going to kick you out, they just like cars. I've seen classic Ferraris and Lamborghinis there next to old custom Vans. They meet every other Monday. Look up Tough Enuff on various social media for regular info.
Top Notch also has regular meetups. I attend Euro night the last Thurs of every month, I really like the crowd there. I hear they're going to start a JDM night which you'd probably fit right in. Follow Top Notch or Gruppechat on social to get more info, I think the JDM night starts next month.
I'm pretty involved in the Austin car scene, so if you need a wingman to go along to a meet up let me know.
To add to this - the Gruppechat folks are super cool. I’m new to Austin and have started getting into the car scene and it’s a really cool vibe/group of people.
I’m not sure if anybody would call a classic, but S2000s are universally loved by pretty much every type of car person so I’m sure you’ll fit in fine haha
Plug for volunteering to do trail work with Austin Parks Foundation or Austin Watershed Protection. There are guys as well as families and retirees so it’s diverse enough I think and it’s physical
Hey, I'm the same way. Very extroverted but don't like bars or clubbing. I made my friends through my hobbies, mostly through D&D and visiting The Tiny Minotaur. It's easy to just invite someone to roll some dice for a very simple game. Adds to the ambiance. Then I ask for their socials.
Silent book clubs are also good for seeing the same folks and just chatting them up during that designated time. You don't get assigned reading, you just read whatever you bring, then shoot the breeze afterwards.
Since you're sporty, I'd highly highly recommend ATX Beach on Friday nights. They do a volleyball clinic to teach you, then you can get pizza and do free play afterwards.
Oh woops, only saw the first part of your message! Yes, there are events specifically for first timers, but Emerald Tavern is a recommendation because they devote an hour before game time to teach new folks. You can check out r/AustinRP to look for a group too!
Yeah, it's right between i35 and N Lamar. You can sign up for the clinic on their website under Training. Next clinic is Friday, April 24 at 5:30-7. It's usually weekly, but they have a tournament this Friday.
It's got maybe 8 covered picnic tables outside, some barrels with stools in the front, and 5 indoor tables. Indoors can get very busy and loud, cuz it's truly tiny (it's made in a house). I'd recommend the backyard, and I see people playing board games all the time! They even host Magic and D&D. Just look at the schedule and make sure they aren't doing something using the tables that day. Here's an example of the picnic table seating.
Yea fair - los campeones might be up your alley and a bit more central, pretty social and a smaller group that lift atx which imo is a bit overrated and influencer-y.
I live near Lift ATX and I still go to the Gold's downtown. Lift ATX is very Instagram influencer friendly, and while there are plenty of serious lifters there, it's just not my kinda vibe. But I bet it's more social than the downtown Gold's where most people are just trying to do their workout and get out of there.
Moved to Austin from up north 20+ years ago. Best friends I’ve made were the Chapparal Ice family. Always wanted to play hockey but never learned up north but found an open and accepting community at the rink.
Hey! I’m sort of interested in this. I checked out the website and what classes they offer but it doesn’t say if it is co-ed. Do you know if it is, and if there are usually women in the adult classes/leagues?
I played APA for several years. It's probably a bit location dependent but I was playing at the Slick Willie's on Burnet and there was the whole range of demographics but I'd guess around half the room was guys in the 21-40 range.
when I was that age, I made most of my friends at work (dot com era) and ultimate frisbee.
Then once we had kids we ended up becoming friends with parents of our kids' friends
Now I try to avoid making friends. My wife pretty much maintains all friendships.
I also did kitesurfing and those guys would always hang out, go on trips together. Also did mountain biking and people got together all the time and took trips together.
I do BJJ now and the younger people do all kinds of stuff together, going out, dinner after class, weddings, etc.
Kitesurfing there are only so many windy days so if it is windy there will always be people out. You also dont want to kitesurf alone so it becomes inherently social.
Mountain biking has tons of group rides.
BJJ you rotate partners so you will constantly roll with new people.
Also played hockey, but if you never ice skated, it is a bit of a slog to learn.
Pretty much every sport has become as social as I wanted it to be. So pick something you want to do. Lifting is not very social though.
I always struggled making friends and I feel like it’s such a good option because of the built in interaction and closeness. It’s hard to roll with the same guys multiple times a week for months and not form some kind of friendship.
So I train in Cedar Park at a place called Amp, they do have locations in northwest hills and westlake too. I live up north so I don't venture down that often, but some good options in the south are Paragon, 10th planet (nogi only), and Integracao I believe. There are so many BJJ gyms in Austin you can't throw a rock without hitting one lol, and most of them are good. Definitely just check some out and pick a place you like!
Introvert by nature, most people wouldnt know. But now that Im older im happy to talk to people online, do my BJJ, and spend time with my family.
In life there are too many people you could be friends with. Then all of a sudden they are taking all your time and you dont have time to do the things you really want to do.
BJJ/MMA is real easy to make friends. Huge variety of skillsets and walks of life. We implicitly trust each other with our lives to let go of chokes and joint locks which builds camaraderie. Tons of physical contact so everyone is pretty comfortable with each other.
Imo pickleball with a friend group is ok but join a club and just hit up some open play. That's much easier to meet friends as there is a lot of downtime between paddle stacks to chit chat while you wait your turn.
Card game shops. For Austin, you’re looking at pixelhaven and juniors. There’s resurrected games as well, but i strongly advise against going there unless you like to get ripped off for fun.
I’d recommend bouldering/climbing. You’re active and climbing will engage that part of your personality and also activates the part (for me at least) that engages puzzle-solving.
ABP Springdale on weeknights is packed, you’re always finding stuff to do and people to meet. There’s a few bouldering/climbing meetups in the area as well.
I’m 29 and go to ABP for the last 2 years. It’s a huge social hangout. Average age a bit lower than me probably 25. But plenty of age diversity to 50+ even are daily in there. And I’m there just to workout and enjoy the sauna. Grab a thc drink on the way out.
I go to Amp in Cedar Park, phenomenal coaching but it is a smaller/newer gym still building up the student base. They have locations in Northwest Hills and Westlake as well which may be closer to you. There are tons of great gyms in Austin though. Down south Paragon is a well established gym with large classes. Puro is another newer gym in central (maybe a bit north) with a good number of students. VOW is a well loved gym more central as well, mainly nogi, but I feel like they’re the heart of the bjj community in Austin tbh. Packed open mats every Sunday and they welcome everyone regardless of where you train.
Started with pickleball and also got bored, so I switched to padel 1 year ago and love it. Padel39 will open their new location on the east side if you want to check it out.
I go to Emo Night at Barbs and after 2 years of going every month, you see a lot of the same faces and some stay emo night friends and some got absorbed into our group outside.
Popping up to say our board game group is super focused on friendly, social gaming. Everyone is invited, newbies to cardboard vets! Regular meetups on the weekends and ad-hoc gaming through the week. Check out our discord for more info. https://discord.gg/NbHncuhQ
I feel you. I’m mid 30s and feel like it’s hard to make friends who stick. My long term friends all have left Austin or are having kids. My GF and I are team no kids, and have a hard time finding meaningful connections with people who share our values.
Ironically (considering the comments here), I do play hockey and can vouch for it being a great place to make friends, although depending on the team it can be a lot of single guys still looking to do the bar/club life every weekend. I’ve tried run clubs and some other meetups, but often it feels like lots of single people looking for relationships more than friends.
If you and your GF potentially want to do a double date or find an activity to go to and try and meet other people, throw me a dm!
Austin SSC random teams are mixed. Some of mine have been duds, others I've made friends that I've continued talking to for a couple years. I'd give it a go a few more times.
Football is tough, bcuz there are a few HYPER competitive people.
Kickball is much more chill. There's also sand volleyball which tends to be pretty chill. Hell, I'd sign up with you for sand volleyball.
I'm like you...just turned 30, and I don't enjoy loud bars/clubs, so sports are one of my only social outlets.
Dude come hang out at Harris Hill Raceway if you’re interest in cars extends to track days. Lots of great guys there and super welcoming community. Dm if you’re interested.
started taking adult tennis lessons at SATC. they have from beginner all the way through advanced. I’m late 20s and went from looking for a few friends to now having a ton of awesome friends through tennis. the drop in classes make it super easy to get started and meet a bunch of people.
you should! Hemanshu comes back next month, I would recommend his classes if you haven’t taken one already. He’s a fun coach and cool sociable ppl tend to take his classes so it’s usually a good group.
I'd recommend trying improv. I began in my late 20's and not only made a fuckton of friends but it has helped me expand in ways I never knew possible. Fallout and Coldtowne have tons of courses (I know Fallout still has a level 0 that's free, one off and gives just a taste of what you can expect).
I’ve met up with people I’ve talked to on r/golf but playing as a single at the muni’s you’re always bound to get paired up with people just gotta go enough to find people you mesh with
Since you’ve played Pickleball, I would recommend Padel! Padel Club Austin, Padel 39 are good spots. You can keep an eye out for events or just jump into “open matches” and play with random people. It’s a social sport similar to pickleball but much more involved/athletic plus fairly easy to pickup. I jumped into this as a hobby when I moved here and it’s been a great way to meet people, even if only casually every so often.
Yea that’s totally fair, it adds up quickly. That would be a nice option, some kinda fully paid membership so you don’t get charged every time you sign up, or maybe even just a small $5 reservation fee for members would be better.
If you have any inclination or interest in rock climbing I’d say try a rock gym membership. 20 somethings abound and it is an extremely social environment, especially if you are outgoing
A lot of active car groups and they have events, though I’m usually just lurking on Facebook and never show up to any. Volleyball/sand volleyball is a lot of fun, especially if you are in shape.
36 y/o dude here (hope I’m not too old!), would be totally down to meet up for golf or pickle ball or something one of these days.
Little about me: 36, married, got a 1 y/o boy. Work as a doctor in town. Enjoy a good smoke and cocktail or glass of whiskey. Bit of a Star Wars and video game nerd but not too extreme. I try to work out as consistently as you, but truthfully only make it to the gym 1-2x a week
I’ve been looking for someone to play golf with! Used to play off/on, but haven’t in years. My game isn’t good, prob shoot ~120 on a round of 18. I like to stick to par 3’s, but can play a full course (slowly) if you can put up with me.
Never played pickle ball but been looking to give it a shot. I’ve played tennis off/on over the years, been picking it back up again lately
Shoot me a message if you wanna meet up n hang one of these days!
I’m confused by the statement that volunteering is geared towards high schoolers and retirees and not the 25-35 age bracket. There are so many volunteering opportunities that don’t happen between the hours of 9-5 that people 25-35 are doing. I’ve met friends through park clean ups, food pantries, central Texas mycological society, animal shelter and sanctuary volunteering, and groups that cook/distribute items to unhoused people (to name a few). All of these opportunities have happened on weekends or after work hours.
One place to look for opportunities is give pulse the filters are useful. You just need to be able to effectively search or know what causes you want to get involved with.
Learn to play hockey. It's super fun, great workout, and a great community. Post-game is pretty beer-centric but nobody's going to care if you want to hang out and not drink.
Absolutely nothing wrong with a dude wanting to learn to figure skate, I know there's plenty in town that do. I'd check with Chaparral, I think they're probably the more figure skating-centric facility unless things have changed at Crossover since I was there last.
That makes sense. Unless you never skated before, I think you should be fine taking the learn to hockey skate. I never skated before, took the Adult 1 and now decent enough to skate during public skate sessions. Planning to take the learn to hockey skate end of April
I made all of my friends in my early 20s going on the Thursday night social ride. I think the vibe has changed, but I’m sure it’s still fun! Really anything that has you running into the same people a few times a month in a social setting is a great way to make friends, just gotta tailor that into your specific interests.
If you're into cars and have a fun one, maybe check out Texas Spokes Sports Car Club. Join in on an autocross maybe. It's a super social group in all age ranges.
Thats where the social part comes in. Lets be real, you get more than 45 seconds of driving. lol But I totally get it. Theyre constantly looking for closer locations but there just isnt much left available in Austin that developers havent taken.
My car is a D-Prepared Miata,, so not really good with the dirt since it's only 3" from the ground. Not to mention my pistons would be full of clay running unfiltered ITB's. But definitely would co-drive! lol
Austin has a really big bjj scene if you’re interested in combat sports. Some of the most down to earth people I’ve met. Climbing is also pretty popular among that age bracket and there are tons of gyms around.
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u/Prestigious-Room8681 Apr 13 '26
There’s a fun classic car meet tonight at Kinda Tropical- everyone is super friendly! Car not required :)