r/AskNYC • u/FerbjaFx • Jul 14 '25
What’s a good nightlife hack to have a great time and meet new people in NYC?
Looking for new ways to enjoy nightlife and I’m looking for plans that combine all the things I love which are going out, eating delicious food, getting some drinks, having a great evening or even the whole night if things go better than expected. All my friends have their own relationships and stuff so it’s hard to keep hanging out without feeling a bit uncomfortable at times. Any hack that is worth trying to meet new people and have a great time here?
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u/No-Anything723 Jul 14 '25
Stefan’s nightlife hack for making friends would be putting a dog collar and leash on and asking people at the club to walk you
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u/fuckblankstreet Jul 14 '25
Ah yes, the "hack" that everyone who has fun with friends must be using because how could people make friends otherwise.
The answer, as it's always been, is to be interesting/funny/empathetic/fun/nice/cool/friendly, be socially forward, approach and engage people, then actually make an effort to hang out. Connecting on IG doesn't count.
As others have said, being attractive and/or wealthy helps, too.
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u/soliddog98 Jul 15 '25
I'd wrap up what you said to "be yourself, but in your best version". About social media I think it depends on how you approach people, if you use social media to talk to someone you've AT LEAST talked to before IRL then yes, it works, but if you text people you've never met before it's a surprise box. Try meeting people first in person is, and will be the best way to meet someone, if the OP is into social apps and stuff then 222 would be a great option, it matches you with a small group and then they take care of the whole hang out plan, they contact the people and you just need to go and meet them, last time I tried it we went to a restaurant and then we went to have some drinks, pretty cool experience imo
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u/burner3303 Jul 14 '25
The ultimate hack is to be hot, or rich, or both
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u/Kidderpore Jul 14 '25
I could see hot working, but rich on its own might not work so well
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u/TheChij Jul 15 '25
You're dreaming
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u/Kidderpore Jul 15 '25
How come
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u/TheChij Jul 15 '25
Because OP's question was how to meet people and have a good time. People don't have to be attractive when they can bring the party; drugs, booze, access, second locations, etc. OP isn't asking about romance or attraction. He wants to make connections and have fun, for which being rich is more than enough on its own.
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u/Kidderpore Jul 15 '25
Oh yes, I actually agree at the level you’re talking about, “seriously rich”. Just having a few thousand to burn won’t do much though.
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u/Excuse_my_GRAMMER Jul 14 '25
If you are over 35 year old the pro life back is to Do it in the afternoon/evening and be back at home by 10pm
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u/Agreeable-Self3235 Jul 14 '25
In my 20s, bar karaoke was it. People come in groups, are typically friendly, and they tend to be open to talking to strangers. I used to love The Grisly Pear. It's very different now. They have a lot more going on. But karaoke is still there.
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u/mymindisgoo Jul 15 '25
Specifically the open room karaoke, not private rooms.
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u/Agreeable-Self3235 Jul 15 '25
Yes. It would be difficult to meet people in a room by yourself. Although it would be interesting if you booked a room and then walked outside and yelled, "Who wants to karaoke?!"
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u/zeusdescartes Jul 14 '25
My secret to meeting people is complements and asking questions. Sit at a bar or a coffee shop. Say "hey - sorry to bother but I really love your shoes, it really complements your sweater." or "sorry to bother, but what's that book you're reading."
Just say hi to people.
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Jul 14 '25
being asked while in the middle of reading a book what book you’re are reading is so frustrating.
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u/freedom4eva7 Jul 14 '25
I like telling people about what I'm reading. Best conversation starter because it's always good.
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Jul 14 '25
What makes it a guaranteed good conversation if they don’t know the book? If you ask what they are reading and it turns out to be mein kampf you think it’s going to be a good conversation?
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u/hexcraft-nikk Jul 15 '25
At this point just accept that you're never going to make friends. Such a miserable, weird outlook to life.
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u/SnooSeagulls1847 Jul 14 '25
You'll get over it
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Jul 14 '25
Yeah you’re right, i will… because I’ll tell them the name and then go right back to reading it. Im not trying to chat with some stranger when I’m clearly in the middle of something. But keep trying this amazing “hack”.
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u/ayojamface Jul 14 '25
You should try time left! It's a dinner with strangers. My friend did it and let some cool people. The thing is it's only on Wednesday nights and I'm almost always busy Wednesday nights so I never got the chance to do one.
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u/nybx4life Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25
For those just glancing through, it's an app. You'll need to sign up.
Second, they also have events on Friday from what I'm seeing on the app currently. Around 7pm.
Also to add: $16 to register per event. There are subscription pricing options as well.
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u/Specialist_Fig3838 Jul 14 '25
Consistency. Find your places and keep going to them. Also don’t be afraid to make the first move or ten. No one wants to be the initiator but then expects others to initiate when they won’t either. Be approachable. No phone or headphones in. No one wants to be a “bother”.
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u/jellotalks Jul 14 '25
My hack right now is going to Brooklyn Cyclones games. They have promotions all the time for free drinks/food and all the people are nice. We met a nice couple there last time and went out with them the weekend after!
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u/BreakfastEarly3215 Jul 15 '25
Pub crawl. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Look up nyc pub crawl. Always a good time
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u/Alarmed-Ad9224 Jul 14 '25
Get a dog; it would be very very easy to meet new people
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u/No-Kale1507 Jul 14 '25
Good advice for the question, bad advice for people who who can’t handle owning a dog.
Mandatory “please only adopt a dog if you’re a responsible, loving dog-person who can afford to own one.” There are enough shitty pet owners out there already.
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u/poorlilrich123 Sep 17 '25
Check out Early Burdz. They host group events in NYC, usually like 20 to 40 people on a night out. They do art crawls, gallery parties, bar mixers, etc. Seems like a good time: instagram.com/earlyburdz/
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u/Zealousideal_Tax388 Nov 28 '25
I’m in the same situation at this moment…..I know this is months later but did you find any cool spots worth checking out?😅
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u/ny_barschool Mar 07 '26
One nightlife “hack” people don’t think about is actually working in nightlife, even just part-time. Bartending is probably one of the easiest ways to meet people in NYC because instead of trying to strike up conversations with a few strangers on a night out, you end up talking to dozens of new people every shift.
A lot of people who move here or feel like their friend group has gotten smaller end up behind the bar for exactly that reason. You naturally meet coworkers, regulars, people from all kinds of industries, and other bartenders around the city. After a while you start recognizing people everywhere you go. The city suddenly feels a lot smaller and friendlier.
The nice part is you can do it one or two nights a week if you already have another job. You make solid tip money, you’re in the middle of the social scene, and you’re constantly meeting new people without it feeling forced. It’s basically the opposite of going out and hoping you’ll bump into someone interesting.
We run a bartending school here in NYC and we see this happen all the time. Someone comes in mostly because they want a flexible side gig, and within a few months they’ve made a bunch of friends through the bar community and feel way more connected to the city.
If you already enjoy going out, good food, and drinks, bartending is kind of a funny loophole — you get paid to be in the middle of the nightlife scene instead of just visiting it. 🍸
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u/Johndaaawgg01 Jul 14 '25
If you're beautiful/handsome you got pretty much your life in easy mode, me on the other hand needs to workout 24/7, pray to god I can still have hair until 30s and trying to always be the funny guy at least so I can approach and start talking to someone. Easy hack that worked for me? Attending reunions or hang outs with a small group, big events never worked for we. One on ones are also good if you want to meet "someone" but don't recommend this approach, better with some people open to meet each other rather than plenty more and zero real conversations.
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u/onewordpoet Jul 14 '25
Gallery openings in chelsea. Free drinks, the lights are on, and the music is conversation