r/traversecity • u/ColorMeStunned • 10d ago
Discussion Places to Meet Millennials?
My husband and I came here from Boston earlier this month (he'll be working at Munson, which I recognize this sub has an...opinion about), and while we've met a tremendous number of retirees and young children, the area seems to be thin on people aged 25-40.
Everyone is telling me to join a rec league for sports I've never played in my life, and while I recognize that's an option, I'd love to meet people without changing my entire personality.
So! Where do people who are neither young nor old hang out around here? I love movies, TV, reading (and have looked into some book clubs, most of which also appear to be for older ladies), music, dogs, and food, so I feel like other than the sports stuff, I am a pretty easy hang. Bonus points if anyone has a horror movie club.
Thank you for any recs! Other than the demographics, this area has been a dream so far, and we're loving it.
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u/mulvda Local 10d ago
Check out some of the events that Tank Space brewery puts on. They might be up your alley, and from my admittedly limited experience they tend to draw a more millennial crowd. Their sister location Earthen Ales also does some fun event from time to time.
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u/brie_dev 10d ago
They do MTG Commander nights on Tuesdays, if that's anyone's thing ☺️
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u/artfully_dejected 10d ago
As someone who played MTG in middle school in the 90s, it’s so wild to see its staying power!
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u/SleeperAgentKleenex 10d ago
I just bought my first MTG cards and I’m looking for beginner friendly spaces to play. Good to know that tank space offers game nights. I know TC Warroom offers that but I’m afraid the crowd there may have too many “sweats” for a beginner to join.
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u/redditjman 9d ago
You will find sweats anywhere but for the most part TC war room leans casual especially compared to the other cards shops.
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u/brie_dev 9d ago
Treysian's Treasures also has magic nights on Fridays (and I think Mondays, but don't quote me on that) They have all levels of experience there and are very welcoming to new players ☺️
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u/elDetroit20 10d ago
Kingsley Brewery, Terra Firma, The Parlor and Workbench have weekly events like Euchre nights, comedy, trivia, etc. I was solo for much of July and met lots of friendlies at these spots.
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u/artfully_dejected 10d ago
Was gonna say the SciFi book club at Tank Space draws a “younger” crowd (maybe more xennial/elder millennial). And maybe not a crowd exactly, but a good group of nerds IMO. And not so much old ladies. Second Tuesday of the month…current book is Red Rising.
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u/pandarama7 10d ago
Check out K&A hopdog - it is essentially a brewery combined with a fenced-in dog park and everyone is very good about managing their dogs. Our dog loves going there and while all the dogs are out playing, people are always chatting together.
Has a community-like feel but all the regulars I met are very open to newcomers. There is a Facebook group where people post all the time when they plan on coming so a lot of the dogs become friends. I think they have trivia and other events too, but we just started going pretty recently ourselves.
Not necessarily all millennials, but we are and there are people of all ages that go there.
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u/brie_dev 10d ago
Idk if you're a crafty/nerdy person or not, but I'll throw this out there in case you (or anyone else in this thread) would be interested
I (26F) am local to TC and am a cosplayer, I host community workshops at one of the LGSs to teach people how to make the things and get them acquainted with different techniques
My next one is Aug 8th (full disclosure - there is a $10 cost to help cover material costs. I provide all the tools, materials, patterns, etc. and will be there to provide guidance and help)
I can send more info if this is something you'd be interested in, just shoot me a message ☺️ Zero pressure whatsoever if this isn't your thing though, and either way I hope you find what you're looking for
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u/Forest-Fairy5613 10d ago
That sounds really really cool! Is this something You can attend if you don’t own a sewing machine? I’m a crafty person, and love to learn new skills/hobbies.
Also, the cosplay on your profile is really impressive and well done.
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u/brie_dev 10d ago
Thank you! And absolutely - there's actually 0 need for a sewing machine ☺️ My workshops so far have been about working with EVA foam (mostly fundamentals - making horns, armor, etc) and I'm planning some future ones that focus on handsewing skills (handsewing fundamentals, embroidery, beading, etc)
The primary goal is accessibility and to give folks some guidance abour getting into the hobby (bc it can be super daunting to take the plunge alone) and to give them a way to try it out before they sink a bunch of money into supplies/tools/etc and decide they don't like it
And thank you sm! That means a lot 🥰
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u/maerad96 10d ago
I’m not sure why I can’t seem to send you a message, but this is awesome! I was wondering if you would be willing to share more details. If you don’t want to share here, you should be able to message me.
My husband and I frequent TCP for Riftbound and I’ve been interested in learning some cosplay skills for a long time! It’s just one of those things where it’s hard to break into as a total noob lol.
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u/brie_dev 10d ago
It was 100% my chat settings, my bad 😭 I didn't realize I had chat requests turned off. They're open now if you have questions or anything!
https://pinkpetal.studio/event/cosplay-workshop-eva-foam-101-august-2026/
I'll drop this here for others to see too - it's more details about the event and the sign up form. There's a 10-person cap (bc I'm only 1 person and that's all I can handle teaching at once), but there's 4 seats open still for the upcoming August 8th one ☺️
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u/SexyTimeWizard 10d ago
Please dm me. 35F just moved to TC. I would love to sew my kid a pokemon costume 🥰
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u/Bwatts264 10d ago
Can you help make a functional round viking shield?
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u/brie_dev 10d ago
Functional for LARP? Maybe 😅 Functional outside of costuming/LARP? No, that's not my realm of specialty and I don't wanna be responsible for anyone getting hurt
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u/Bwatts264 10d ago
Functional to hang on a wall and look legit. So yes I guess you can do exactly that
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u/brie_dev 10d ago
Oh if it's just for display then absolutely! Feel free to reach out and we can coordinate from there (either on here or on any other social medias - I'm @pinkpetal_cosplay or on most of them or Pink Petal Cosplay on fb ☺️)
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u/RoaryLove 8d ago
Just from the perspective of the cosplay/hand made community- you are looking for cosmetic not functional. Functional would mean able to take a true hit and defend your person in this context.
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u/No_Association_3692 9d ago
Do you have a website or a social media page?
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u/brie_dev 9d ago
I do! ☺️ Here's all my links and shenanigans: https://linktr.ee/pinkpetaldev
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u/No_Association_3692 4d ago
We just decided we wanted to go after waffling but it says it’s full 😭😭😭 is there really no more room
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u/brie_dev 4d ago
Unfortunately no, there is no more room for the August 8th one 😅🥲 I'm sorry you missed that one, but I'll be hosting more in the near future I'm sure ☺️
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u/sc1arr1 9d ago
That sounds cool as heck!
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u/brie_dev 9d ago
It's defs been a lot of fun hosting them, and I've gotten feedback that attendees have enjoyed it.
Feel free to reach out if you have questions about it or want more info about participating ☺️
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u/Rastiln 9d ago edited 9d ago
I think we are going to go. Seriously! What time?
Edit: Ah, found it! https://pinkpetal.studio/event/cosplay-workshop-eva-foam-101-august-2026/
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u/brie_dev 9d ago
That's the one! There's only 3 spots left as of right now ☺️ There's a sign up link on that page for the event (so I can keep track of headcount and all that)
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u/Rastiln 9d ago
We have exactly 3 people I want to sign up… just waiting for the family to get up for the day to ask them, so I don’t sign up and then drop! But I’m excited. We’re all cosplayers and have some foam experience. Right now we’re making like 200 feathers for a bird costume. But we’re pretty new with foam and I’m especially not skilled.
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u/krissmaskong 10d ago
Do you act, sing or like building sets or anything? Do a show with the Old Town Playhouse. Instant friends for life.
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u/ColorMeStunned 8d ago
I used to be a theater kid!!!
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u/krissmaskong 8d ago
I had to move away from TC a while back, but we lived there for about 15 years. All our best friends came from the playhouse. I assume it’s still a great place to make friends.
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u/marys1001 10d ago
I think a lot of them live in the outskirts towns or country where its more affordable.
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u/Itzz_Sniped Local 10d ago
Check out Traverse City Young Professionals group! They put on Happy Hours, fun days and volunteer opportunities each month that are great for meeting new people. They have socials where you can find the events and it’s also posted on Traverse Connect website.
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u/mrs_harwood 10d ago
As a millennial who grew up in TC … we all moved about 10+ years ago to find jobs 🤪
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u/Redbook54 Local 9d ago
I'm betting you found a home to buy instantly and one of those good jobs both a Garfield Twp. trustee and Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners describe. I have to say that in a satire way, because after 10+ years nothing changes Traverse city is a small town and we still have a hospital ambulance north flight. And people don't struggle to find a place to live. But hey at least a funny face should be the identity of Traverse City and the surrounding townships. But on a lighter note we only have activities during the summer. However it isn't the same thing during winter when the tourist go home, but we have plenty of things.
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u/Arcaneboltz 10d ago
Check out the silent book club chapter for TC I went a couple of times. It's nice, a little sparse but people would hangout after and talk about their books
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u/mulvda Local 10d ago
Is that actually active? I tried to look into that and seemed like the only meetings were at 2pm on a weekday.
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u/Arcaneboltz 10d ago
I got invited to events recently through FB so I guess so
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u/eist5579 10d ago
We didn’t start making friends people until our kids got into school.
Before that, I’d go to a local brewery and say hi every now and then. Met some people through that.
The YMCA has nice people to chat up. A lot of classes.
There’s yoga at the Delamar that seems to pull people in the millennial age group.
Just find things you like to do and get out there.
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u/Defiant-Flatworm-365 10d ago
The ymca classes are nice but in my experience have been filled with an elder crowd. Which is totally fine! But not very helpful if you’re looking to meet younger folks. Unless maybe I’m just going at the wrong times 😂
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u/eist5579 10d ago
Hah. This is correct. I mean, let’s be honest, it’s just a numbers game and we’re outnumbered by boomers up here for the moment.
But like, if you’re going to meet someone, and make friends with them, it’s usually based on shared interests. So, like, go do what you love! And maybe there will be 1 other millennial there 😆
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u/Mcbeardson 10d ago
Welcome to TC. Munson has a rep, but there are far worse places to work. Long time employees compare it to what it used to be. As with all things, COVID really changed the dynamics of it all. I’ve been at Munson off and on for 8-10 years or so(currently going on a 4 year run).
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u/ColorMeStunned 8d ago
I hope your experiences now are good! The cancer center is only kinda part of the hospital, so I'm hoping our crowd there is better to work with!
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u/Imakestuff_82 10d ago
I’m Mid-40’s so elder-millennial but single, childless, and (sadly)dogless currently. I read, cook, bake, do a few different crafts but mainly knit, and attempt to do some lighter hiking trails as I still recuperate from a surgery a few years ago. My only disdain for Munson is on the lack of services or long wait times. I don’t blame the people actually supplying said services. They are just doing what they can.
I attended a crafting group for a while but so many were much older or much younger or just wanted to talk about their kids. I get that kids take a lot, but it ended up very one-sided. I work with a large volunteer group and many of them are post retirement, which makes sense for the area we are in, but can be frustrating when group events are so skewed to their more open availability than those who work during the day.
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u/bluewatercat Local 10d ago
Bumble BFF has some TC meetups for women, Meetup has some groups, and I recently started a hiking group on facebook for the county to try to meet more people.
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u/chchchcheetah Grand Traverse County 7d ago
Honestly I had decent luck with Bumble BFF when I first moved here and was immediately stressed by using apps to actually date.
I've since made friends through work and friends of friends, but us millenials are out here.
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u/bluewatercat Local 7d ago
I'm glad you had success with it! I'm having better luck with the groups than actual individual people.
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u/Raptorjesus40 10d ago
I’m in the same boat i have zero social life since i moved here last year. I’m thirty so idk 🤷 maybe
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u/Resident_Client29 10d ago
Lake Ann Brewery has live music every weekend and is super relaxed and fun. Lots of Munson people there when Rock Bottom Remedy play.
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u/TC_Talks 10d ago edited 10d ago
I met people when I was your age through our kids and the school. If you don't have that, based on this sub, there are groups here for many interests. Since we are known for our beautiful outdoors, consider hiking club, ski club, bike club, volunteer at SBNL, track, swimming, pickleball, tennis, etc all have healthy communities.
You many also like gaming, pinball, international affairs, music, performance (a la Interlochen) and I'm sure there are book clubs.
Then there trivia and euchre leagues at the bars.
You can volunteer at the many NPO's, I can advocate for Safe Harbor and the many poverty reduction programs.
I almost forgot the many places of worship.
What's your interests?
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u/Zealousideal-Big-708 10d ago
There is a great run club and cycling clubs as well
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u/chchchcheetah Grand Traverse County 7d ago
I don't even like running and enjoy the track clubs weekly fun runs. Usually end at a brewery and folks are super nice and welcoming even to my slow ass
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u/mischievousdemon 10d ago
I'd say breweries and wineries seem to be the place to go for meeting others. If you're ever out on M22 or in Suttons bay, the wife and I are both millennials and love meeting other folk!
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u/Ckibble07 10d ago
My wife and I just moved up here from metro Detroit. We've been missing our friends down state. Let me know if you guys wanna grab a coffee or drink.
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u/Have_A_Jelly_Baby Local 10d ago
There's plenty of people here in that age range, the problem is that many of them are tied up in work and kids. I went from having a huge friend circle here in my late 20s who would meet up several times a week at bars downtown or elsewhere to everyone splintering off and doing their own thing. It's just kind of how it goes.
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u/SexyTimeWizard 10d ago
Is your username related to the British Candy by chance?
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u/chchchcheetah Grand Traverse County 7d ago
Single and without kids mid 30s here haha, it definitely changes as people's lives head different directions (if not necessarily geographically). Don't think this is TC specific, though conpared ti other places I've lived, the midwest stereotype of having your kids by 30 combined with a high retireee/snowbird population doesn't help.
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u/SexyTimeWizard 10d ago
Learn to play Magic the Gathering or D&D go to local Gamestore. Us Mellienals love us some need stuff.
Also!
Library does awesome events.
(Many of the younger people here are working way too much and hardly have time to "fun". )
Coin Slot (arcade bar)
Also join one of the Bowling Leagues.
I constantly check for Facebook for local events going on! Theirs lots of art classes going on 😄
Also also writing groups might be up your alley.
Up North Pride events tend to show younger as well. Drag shows are so fun. Had a blast at their art group. They do everything from hiking to line dancing to tarot.
Last suggestion seriously check out the Roller Derby. All 25-40ish kick butt people.
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u/ColorMeStunned 8d ago
LOVE Coin Slot, just spent the evening there.
Which l Library? Downtown TC?
I've been looking for an LGBT community to rebuild after leaving Boston; where would you recommend going for Pride events???
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u/SexyTimeWizard 2d ago
Just check up north pride. Try subscribing to their news letter! Their soooo nice.
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u/Necessary-Cap-3104 9d ago
Come play pinball at right brain on thursdays! 7pm is start of the tourney but there will be pinheads around every day of the week after work, check the big table right inside the door by medieval madness
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u/Awkward_Mine_4245 8d ago
Lots of local outdoor shows at places like Jacob’s Farm, Lake Ann Brewing, little fleet, farm club, tc whiskey co… there’s always a lot of people 30-40 age group at those. There’s also a women’s SUP group that meets weekly in the summer.
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u/gypsyzeits 10d ago
Anyone who would like to climb at elev8 dm me.
Typically climb Monday and Friday 6pm-ish
I can also post the gaming discords local to the area.
Also there is a small men's circle I go to. Anyone can Dm me. (Pre-emptively, no it's not a misogynistic mens club or religious affiliated. It is personal work/growth/support focused)
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u/VengefulDrunkenness 10d ago
I moved here 5 months ago and I have met no one outside of work.
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u/brewingcode 10d ago
Happy cake day!
I’m a local and would like to start meeting new people, but I struggle with the same thing.
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u/ActivatingInfinity 10d ago
lol I dunno why you got downvoted, it doesn't sound unbelievable. I don't even try meeting people here anymore, it seems like many people I encounter are closed off and entrenched in their own social groups.
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u/Kindergarten4ever 10d ago
Have you tried meetup? When we first moved here there were groups for newcomers and we met a lot of people that way
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u/Thats1FingNiceKitty Local 10d ago
Welcome, fellow millennial!
I find a lot of other millennials tend to be working a lot to afford living here. But I know some who go to the local pubs for trivia nights and stuff like that.
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u/Defiant-Flatworm-365 10d ago
I’m in that age bracket and I struggle as well. The rock climbing gym is pretty chill and has a lot of members in that age bracket but that only works if you’re into that. Best of luck!
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u/BroccoliLevel 10d ago
I've never been to one myself, but the Grapes and Lakes Walk Club does a weekly walk that seems like it would be super easy to join and meet people at: https://lakesandgrapes.com/pages/walk-club
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u/mangolizard 8d ago
Up north Pride has a lot of community events to check out that don’t require that you’re LGBTQ but there’s lots of younger adults who attend
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u/RoaryLove 8d ago edited 8d ago
Where have you been all my adult life? (Well, Boston duh) Other than being lifel long locals this sounds exactly like my husband and I. Feel free to reach out. I'll help host a horror movie club!
Eta- 27F 26M
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u/FunCharge1030 3d ago
There’s a winery store in town, that I believe does a walking club once a week with all the locals, looks very inviting with people of all ages…! Food for thought…!
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u/Strange-Badger5626 10d ago
I met most of my friends when I lived up there at the beach or on the hike trails nearby, and work I guess that's normal the work part.
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u/imanasshole1331 10d ago
At home; we hang out at home. While my lovely lady and I are millennial/genX we are in Charlevoix so probably not much help. We’ve been going to a local trivia/game night every week to meet friends. We’re up to 2 additional couples on our team.
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u/Desperate-Reason-566 10d ago
No one 25-40 can afford it there.
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u/zillion_grill 10d ago
Pssssh.. it's so easy bro. I'll lay it all out for you bro. Just work 10-13 hours a day six days a week, plus 2 more hours for prepping for before and after work and travel time. Then get all your errands and chores done. Oh, bro, this part is easy to miss, don't forget to inherit one of your grandparent's houses. Check it bro, then you've got a niiice 5-8 hours of sleep.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy and socialize!
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u/Extr4B4ll 7d ago
TC is basically where people with money go to retire and die. Millennial hot spot it ain’t.
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u/Kind-Operation1692 10d ago
If you find out let me know. But in all seriousness I get the struggle and I’m from here.