Top places in Detroit to meet new people without hitting the bar scene

By Layla McMurtrie on Wed, Sep 4, 2024 at 12:38 pm

Not everyone is drawn to the bar scene, and for those who prefer alternative social spaces or simply don’t drink, it can sometimes be hard to know where to meet new people. Luckily, if you look far enough, Detroit offers a variety of awesome spots to connect with others. From athletic clubs to creative spaces to active community hubs, there are plenty of places where you can mingle and make new friends without stepping into a bar.

Read on for our recommendations.

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Instagram, @belleisleswimclub

Belle Isle Swim Club

instagram.com/belleisleswimclub

Waking up early to swim may not sound appealing to some, but it can be a very refreshing start to the day. The Belle Isle Swim Club, which happens every Friday morning from 7-8:45 a.m. near Belle Isle’s beach house, was started to give adults a peaceful space to connect and unwind before their workday. Even better, there’s free coffee provided by James Oliver Coffee.

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Facebook, Opal Grove Games

Opal Grove Games

3546 Michigan Ave., Detroit; opalgrovegames.com

Appropriately located in a basement underneath 27th Letter Books, this awesome games shop is all about community. If you’re into board games or just looking to have some fun in a new way, this is the perfect spot. It’s visibly welcoming and has hundreds of games of all kinds lining the wall that you can sit and play. You can bring friends, or you can attend a community game night and meet some new ones.

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Photo via Facebook

Book Suey

10345 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; booksuey.com

This co-op bookstore is super big on wanting customers to hang out and use the spot as a community space. It’s not just a place to grab a book — it’s also an inviting spot to strike up conversations with fellow readers and creatives. The weekly writers clubs make it even easier. Unfortunately, its hours are kind of limited, but if you’re bored after work, it’s a cool, inviting spot.

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Princess Gabbara

Trinosophes & People’s Records

1464 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; trinosophes.com

If you love coffee and music, these two adjacent spaces offer a unique and chill setting to meet fellow artsy Detroiters. You can browse through vinyl records at People’s, work at a communal table at Trinosophes, or join a jazz jam session in the attached event space.

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Facebook, Planet Ant

Planet Ant Theatre

2320 Caniff St., Hamtramck; planetant.com

This performing arts theater has been a hub of metro Detroit comedy since 1993. If you take an improv workshop or stand up class at Planet Ant, meeting new people is inevitable. It’s the perfect place to make friends that will cause endless laughter.

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Woobenz Deriveau

Art Night Detroit

instagram.com/artnightdetroit

While this event is held way less regularly than it used to be, when it does happen, it’s an easy way to meet fellow artists and art lovers. Art Night is all about community, merging a nightlife setting with a creative work space. Sometimes it is held at bars, but other times it’s held at coffee shops, in art studios, and other local spots, offering a great variety for everyone.

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Facebook, The Greening of Detroit

The Greening of Detroit

greeningofdetroit.com

If you have a green thumb or are interested in volunteering, this organization is great. Every month, they host tree planting events where community members can help plant trees at different local parks. It’s a great way to meet other people who have a community mindset.

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Layla McMurtrie

Spot Lite

2905 Beaufait St., Detroit; spotlitedetroit.com

This venue does have a bar, but it’s way more than that. While the club vibes come out at night, this spot doubles, or quadruples, as a record store and art gallery. During the day, Cairo Coffee is serving up great drinks, creating immaculate vibes for chilling and working. If you hang out at Spot Lite long enough, you’re bound to end up talking to some cool people with similar passions.

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Steve Neavling

Palmer Park

910 Merrill Plaisance, Detroit; detroit.mi.gov

One of the city of Detroit’s regional parks, this scenic spot is a great place to meet new people. It’s also one of the most popular outdoor spots to play pickleball, with six courts dedicated to the rising sport. If you go to the park by yourself, you can easily find other pickleball lovers to play with.

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Instagram, @nextchapterbooksdetroit

Next Chapter Books

16555 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; nextchapterbkstore.com

A good book can offer a peacefully lonesome escape from the world, but it can also bring people together. Opened in 2023, this cozy and welcoming neighborhood bookstore is filled with good energy and tons of new and used novels, including some from local authors. You can meet people there anytime, including the great owners. But, the spot also hosts a monthly book club that makes it even easier to connect with fellow book lovers. On the other side of the city, 27th Letter Books also hosts a great book club every month and is an another awesome community space.

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Courtesy photo

Passenger Recovery

2697 Caniff St., Hamtramck; passengerrecovery.com

This community spot is mainly catered towards people in recovery from addiction, but it’s a lot more than just a recovery center. What started as an organization helping touring artists stay sober turned into a third space for support groups, as well as music and arts advocacy events. Visitors can attend a 12-step meeting one day and an open mic or yoga class the next — in a space covered in local and global art. If you’re an artist in recovery, going to an event at Passenger is an easy way to meet like-minded people.

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Google Maps

The Congregation

9321 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit; thecongregationdetroit.com

For the coffee lovers who want more than just a cup of joe, The Congregation also makes meeting new people easy. The spot has a bar and food pop-ups, plus weekly events designed to bring the community together including open mics, dance parties, taco Tuesdays, and more.

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Photo via Yoganic Flow Facebook

Yoganic Flow

instagram.com

During the warm months, there are tons of free outdoor yoga classes happening around the city that are perfect for when you need to feel grounded and mindful. Yoganic Flow hosts events multiple days a week at parks in different areas of the city. These classes not only offer a chance to unwind but also to connect with others who prioritize wellness and relaxation.

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Instagram, @poetryinthepark_

Poetry in the Park

12527 Woodward Ave., Highland Park; instagram.com/poetryinthepark_

Detroit’s poetry scene is flourishing with tons of weekly open mics all around the city every day. This one has been running since 2019, hosted by Jewels of Detroit every Wednesday at iRock Local Entertainment Cafe. Whether you want to spit some bars yourself or just enjoy a great spoken word show, this poetry open mic is a great place to meet creative minds.

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Facebook, Motown Roller Club

Motown Roller Club

2670 Atwater St., Detroit; detroitriverfront.org

In the spring and summer months, skaters from the Detroit-area come together to this skate meetup that takes participants down the riverwalk and Dequindre Cut, starting at Robert C. Valade Park. The meetups, which began in 2019, are free for everyone. Some days, the event includes a 1-hour beginner skate lesson to help participants get comfortable skating outdoors.

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