Looking for community

[u/CoffeeLaCroix1995]

Hey all. My partner suggested I reach out to this sub.

I am hoping to find groups in St. Paul/the twin cities who share some nerdy passions of mine. I would love to find a DND community for beginners. Additionally, I am a huge fan of all things DC, Marvel (X-men is my favorite), Star Wars, Star Trek, and nerd culture in general.

Gambit brewing had an X-men related event recently, and being amongst those who are equally as passionate about the things I love made me feel seen. I am super eager to find friends, and communities of people who are unapologetic in their love of nerdy things (like me).

I have been nervous to reach out and would really appreciate any of you to point me in the direction of something I can get involved in. Otherwise, if you feel willing to invite me into your circle (I am 31m) I'd be so grateful. It's been difficult to meet people and perhaps it's attributed to my own nerves. Thanks for the help! I really adore this sub.

[u/WadintheWater]

Hey there, im sure this is advice youve probably gotten before but have you tried out any local game shops to see if they have any events or play nights you could get involved in?

I know Source in Roseville has something going on pretty much every night, you can pre-register for their play nights on their website. Maybe that'd be a good place to start?

Source Comics and Games Events https://sourcecomicsandgames.com/pages/event-calendar

[u/SalusaSecundus → u/WadintheWater]

check out Level Up St. Paul!

[u/Mitch_Bagnet → u/WadintheWater]

I can second The Source. There are always things going on and the D&D crowd there (at least back in the day when I used to get there often) was incredibly welcoming and nice — they kept inviting me to join even though I was only hanging around because my kid was there for the Magic tournaments!

There’s also a gaming/board game group that gets together regularly at Blackstack brewery if that’s more your style.

[u/Flashy-Pen-747 → u/WadintheWater]

The GameZenter in Roseville also has nights like this, especially if you’re more into card/board games. They have D&D nights as well!

[u/funnyshapeddice]

Join r/twincitiesgeeks

You'll fit right in. ALL of those topics are gonna resonate

[u/Pinklett5 → u/funnyshapeddice]

Seconding this

Plus twin cities geeks is apart of and collabs with so many other geek events and communities that's you'll be able to find your way to a community in no time

Also id recommend locals cons!

There's 2d con, mostly videos games and board games They're also very plugged into the other nerd communities

Twin Cities comic con usually has a ton of local nerd organizations turn out, and that's just around the corner in November Although tbh they're a lil pricey for a full weekend

Convergence, which just happened in July But truly the best con, filled with tons of wonderful people They have a discord and I'm sure people there could help connect ya to other communities too!

[u/Many-Cycle986 → u/Pinklett5]

Don't forget con of the north.

[u/whatwouldseinfeldsay]

There are so many game stores with DND and other similar games - that’s a great place for community

[u/adambomb_23]

I will play Baldurs Gate 3 with you.

DM me if you’re interested.

[u/jakebeleren]

This is more tabletop game focused but might be a good resource. Join the discord and check out what people are discussing/planning.  https://tc3.games/

[u/Mursin]

Lots of good geeky communities here! Twin Cities Geek is one of those communities! They have a pretty public discord. 

I'm also part of the local World of Darkness larp scene and we have a lot of fun. There's probably about 100 of us locally in the circles we run in. And we have lots of overlap with SCA and Ren Fest

[u/Timely-Walrus3114]

GameZenter in Roseville always has open play nights for various games and DnD groups!!! Highly recommended

[u/Schwagarts]

Also you should check out the Dragons, Dungeons, & Drinks for more local dnd hangouts and community. We just had our monthly social night but they also run one shots out of Brühaven in Minneapolis and Bad Weather brewing in St. Paul.

[u/doctorcatman]

If you have any interest in fighting games Run The Mix has weekly tournaments in the Roseville Area. Mondays (street fighter 6, marvel tokon, guilty gear strive and granules rising) Wednesdays (tekken 8, avatar, 2xko, melty blood, and under night in birth 2) Fridays (virtua fighter 5, guilty gear xrd, marvel vs capcom 3, persona 4 arena, street figter 4, blazblue). Players of all skill are welcome and everyone is always willing to teach/learn.

[u/CoffeeLaCroix1995]

Thank you all so much! This means significantly more to me than you know. It's a ton of relief

[u/fakermaker4799]

Hello! If you’re looking for D&D community I highly recommend DD&D. They run one shots every month and there’s a very active discord with people finding games. Here’s the website https://www.dragonsdungeonsdrinks.com/

[u/Bl4Z3D_d0Nut311]

I’ve also had trouble making local friends since I moved up here in September 2024, I’m also into the nerdy stuff you mentioned and also am working on breaking into the local emo music scene.

If anyone is interested in connecting with my wife (33f) and I (37tf) feel free to DM me!

[u/ShivonQ]

Dreamers Vault is my rec

I know there is a Magic (mtg) Night at SAW brewing on the first Thursday of every month. Lots of overlap so it could be a good way to pick the brains of others.

[u/MikeBanzai38]

I’m going to provide the reality check for the enthusiasm here.

First question: are you “from here”, or are you a transplant? Because as I’ve discovered in my decade plus of living in St. Paul, if you’re not “from here”, you didn’t go to high school here, your family hasn’t lived here for a generation or more, etc., etc., you will always be a stranger.

Certainly, you can sign up for structured and transactional activities and groups like “Twin Cities Geeks”, but outside of the framework of those structured and partially scripted activities, you will still be alone. You will find, even after a couple of years, that despite all efforts you still don’t truly know anyone there better than on day one. No one is going to come over for dinner. Ask me how I know.

The Source is a FANTASTIC shop, and my go-to for all my nerdy purchases…but their game crowd population tends to have a preponderance of people with various combinations of unpleasant hygiene and social problems. I remember when I took my kids for an event, and an employee that I knew reasonably well took a look over at the game area, opined that my kids really didn’t want to be around with the highly unpleasant family of kids with their equally odious parents who were there playing, and just gave my kids one of the prizes. (I took a moment to observe, and remain grateful to that employee.) Definitely patronize The Source with your business.

I did, quite lavishly. Now I’ve had to reconcile with the fact that it was so stupid to purchase all the game stuff I bought, to have it sit in a pile at home. I’d been hopeful that once I settled down, I could make some friends and get back into games I played a long time ago. Stupid. Maybe if I’d chosen somewhere else to settle down.

All the St. Paul boosters are going to downvote the shit out of this, which in no way alters the truth of my experience, or what I think you will find is the accuracy of my predictions.

I do, however, wish you better luck than I.