Chicago IRL

Where to meet people in Chicago

To meet people in Chicago, join a 606 Run Club outing, take an improv course or sign up for a singles skeeball team. Check the age limits on individual singles events.

6:00 PM · weeklyFitness
South Loop Runners (opens in a new tab)
A group run for different paces, with time to talk with other runners afterward.
Where
South Loop / lakefront; check the weekly route
Cost
Free
6:00 PM · weeklyFitness
Fleet Feet Running Club — Old Town / South Loop (opens in a new tab)
Group runs from Old Town and South Loop with pace groups for different abilities.
Where
Old Town or South Loop store; confirm the selected run
Cost
Free
6:35 PM · weeklyFitness
Chicago Beer Runners (opens in a new tab)
A non-competitive run of about 5K, followed by food and time at the bar with the group.
Where
Wild Goose, North Center; verify the Meetup event
Cost
Free; buy your own food or drinks
Daytime or event nights · check calendarSocial
Guild Row (opens in a new tab)
A social club with food, music and member gatherings. Look for an open house or hosted activity if you are new.
Where
3130 N Rockwell St, Avondale
Cost
Event or membership pricing varies
Rotating dates and venuesSocial
Chicago Social Events Meetup (opens in a new tab)
Happy hours, trivia, outings and co-ed recreational leagues aimed at people in their 20s and 30s.
Where
Chicago venues vary by event
Cost
Varies by event
8:00–10:00 PM · MondaysEvent
aliveOne — All Music Trivia (opens in a new tab)
Team trivia devoted to music at aliveOne. Bring friends to play together.
Where
2683 N Halsted St, Lincoln Park
Cost
No ticket price listed; food and drinks extra
League seasons; schedules varySocial
S3 Social Sports — coed indoor leagues (opens in a new tab)
Co-ed indoor sports leagues with solo registration and team placement. Seasons last five to seven weeks; check the league's age range before signing up.
Where
Multiple Chicago venues; league dependent
Cost
Season fee; varies by league
Multiple dates each week; check calendarSocial
Three Cities Social (opens in a new tab)
A membership social club with more than 30 group outings and gatherings a month.
Where
320 W Ohio St #7E, River North; event venues vary
Cost
Individual membership listed at $199–$249/month; verify current plan

6:30 PM · weeklyFitness
606 Run Club (opens in a new tab)
A free three-mile social run, usually followed by a drink. Check the weekly event for the meeting point and bar.
Where
The 606 / rotating neighborhood bar; see event details
Cost
Free; drinks optional
Current events vary; check organizer calendarEvent
Hot Potato Hearts — inclusive speed dating (opens in a new tab)
Themed speed dating for people of all genders and sexualities. Pairings are not based on orientation; choose an event with an age range that fits you.
Where
Rotating Chicago venues
Cost
Varies by event; recent listings $13–$25
6:30 PM · weeklyFitness
Lakeview Run Club (opens in a new tab)
Group runs from Nettelhorst for a range of paces. Check the club's updates for the route and any gathering afterward.
Where
Nettelhorst Playground, Lakeview
Cost
Free
Dates and age ranges vary; check ticketsEvent
Meet IRL — singles speed dating and activity events (opens in a new tab)
Singles mini-dates and activity mixers in age-specific groups, including ages 26–35 and 30–38.
Where
Rotating Chicago venues
Cost
Varies by event
Tue Oct 27 · 6:30–9:00 PM · Eventbrite listing active Oct 7NewEvent
Meet IRL — speed dating at Midwest Coast Brewing (ages 30–38) (opens in a new tab)
Hosted speed dating for singles ages 30–38, with one-to-one mini-dates at Midwest Coast Brewing.
Where
Midwest Coast Brewing Company, 2137 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60612
Cost
Ticketed; price varies by ticket category
Multi-week classes; schedules varyFitness
Beginner improv — Second City, iO or Annoyance (opens in a new tab)
Practice partner exercises and scenes in a multi-week beginner improv class.
Where
Old Town, Lakeview or Lincoln Park; school dependent
Cost
Paid classes; varies by school and session
Daytime café hours; check current scheduleCafé
The Wormhole Coffee (opens in a new tab)
A neighborhood coffee shop with communal seating.
Where
1462 N Milwaukee Ave, Wicker Park
Cost
Buy a drink or food

7:00 PM · select WednesdaysSocial
Timeleft dinners (opens in a new tab)
Dinner with a small group of strangers. Book through the app for dates and table details.
Where
Restaurant revealed after booking
Cost
Meal and any applicable booking fee
First Wednesday monthly · upcoming dates varyEvent
Skip the Small Talk — guided conversation night (opens in a new tab)
Guided one-to-one conversations with rotating partners and question prompts. Guests are often in their 20s and 30s.
Where
Kibbitznest, 2212 N Clybourn Ave; verify each event
Cost
Ticketed; current price varies by event
6:06 AM · weeklyFitness
November Project Chicago (opens in a new tab)
A free outdoor group workout. The location and exercises change each week, so check the meeting point before leaving.
Where
Outdoor location rotates; check the weekly post
Cost
Free
Evenings · gym hours / classes varyFitness
Movement Wrigleyville — bouldering (opens in a new tab)
Bouldering, fitness classes and community events. Work on routes alongside other climbers or join a group class.
Where
1115 W Addison St, Wrigleyville
Cost
Day pass or membership; verify current rate
6:15 PM · weeklyFitness
South Loop Runners (opens in a new tab)
A weekly run for different paces, sometimes followed by a social stop. Check the club's route before heading out.
Where
South Loop / lakefront; check the weekly route
Cost
Free
7:00 PM · weeklyFitness
Venados Running Club (opens in a new tab)
Choose a 3- or 5-mile run, then meet the group at the brewery. All paces welcome.
Where
Monochrome Brewing, 2102 S Carpenter St, Pilsen
Cost
Free; buy your own drinks
League schedules vary by seasonSocial
Chicago Sport & Social Club — coed leagues (opens in a new tab)
Adult co-ed sports leagues with free-agent registration for players who need a team.
Where
Chicago-wide; sport and venue vary
Cost
Season fee; varies by league
Wednesdays · 4:00–10:00 PMEvent
Adler at Night (opens in a new tab)
An evening at the planetarium with exhibits and telescope programs. Illinois residents can reserve free admission.
Where
1300 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Museum Campus
Cost
Free for Illinois residents on listed Wednesdays with reservation; otherwise varies
Seasonal Wednesdays · 7:00 AM–1:00 PMSocial
Green City Market — Lincoln Park (opens in a new tab)
A seasonal market with produce, prepared food and public events.
Where
Lincoln Park; see the current market map
Cost
Free entry; purchases optional

Weekly events; date and format varyEvent
Thursday — Chicago singles events (opens in a new tab)
In-person singles events with changing venues and activities. Check the event's age range before buying a ticket.
Where
Rotating Chicago bars and activity venues
Cost
Varies by event
6:30 PM · weeklyFitness
606 Run Club (opens in a new tab)
A free three-mile group run followed by a drink. Check the weekly route and meeting point.
Where
The 606 / rotating neighborhood bar; see event details
Cost
Free; drinks optional
Thursdays · check current scheduleEvent
Snakes & Lattes — Social Game Night (opens in a new tab)
A host helps guests join tables and learn board games.
Where
1965 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Cost
Ticket or cover varies by event
Classes and tastings · dates varySocial
Uvae — wine classes, tastings and dinners (opens in a new tab)
Ticketed wine classes, tastings and dinners.
Where
5553 N Clark St, Andersonville
Cost
Varies by event
Rotating social events; check current postsSocial
Let's Be Friends Chicago (opens in a new tab)
Speed-friending and group activities for people in their 20s and 30s.
Where
Chicago-area venues; exact location varies
Cost
Varies by event
7:30–10:00 PM · Thursdays, except Cubs home gamesEvent
Murphy's Bleachers — pub trivia (opens in a new tab)
Team pub trivia at Murphy's Bleachers. No games on Cubs home-game days.
Where
3655 N Sheffield Ave, Wrigleyville
Cost
No ticket price listed; food and drinks extra
Oct 29 · 7:00–9:00 PM · organizer page listed waitlist Oct 7NewEvent
Chicago First Dates — 20s/30s speed dating (opens in a new tab)
Hosted speed dating with five-minute rounds for women ages 24–37 and men 25–38. The October 29 event is waitlisted.
Where
Marriott Residence Inn – The Loop, 11 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60603
Cost
$35 for the checked event; verify current ticket price
Starts Thu Nov 5 · 6:50, 7:40 or 8:30 PM (rotates) · 5 weeksNewEvent
S3 Singles Skeeball — Sluggers Wrigleyville (opens in a new tab)
A five-week singles skeeball league with co-ed teams and social time after games. Register solo to join teammates near your age; confirm eligibility, as pages list different upper age limits.
Where
Sluggers Wrigleyville, 3540 N Clark St
Cost
$65 per player on the current listing

First Friday monthly · 5:30 PMEvent
BottlesUp! — free in-store tasting (opens in a new tab)
Free walk-in wine tastings at a shared counter, plus classes and winemaker events.
Where
Lakeview; verify current store address
Cost
Free for listed walk-in tastings; other events vary
First Friday monthly · 6:00–8:00 PM minimumEvent
West Town First Fridays (opens in a new tab)
A free neighborhood art walk through participating galleries and venues. Use the event map to plan your stops.
Where
Participating West Town galleries and businesses
Cost
Free; purchases optional
Second Friday monthly · 5:00–9:00 PMEvent
Fine Arts Building — Second Fridays (opens in a new tab)
Open studios inside working artists' spaces, with performances and other activities throughout the building.
Where
410 S Michigan Ave, Loop
Cost
Free
Second Friday monthly · 6:00–10:00 PMEvent
Pilsen Second Friday Gallery Night (opens in a new tab)
An evening of gallery visits and exhibitions across the Chicago Arts District.
Where
Chicago Arts District, around 18th and Halsted, Pilsen
Cost
Generally free; individual events may vary
Public tastings and events · dates varyEvent
Perman Wine — in-store tastings (opens in a new tab)
Public wine tastings and ticketed wine events.
Where
West Loop; see event listing
Cost
Varies by event
Irregular · next listed gathering Oct 9, 6:00–9:00 PMSocial
Chicago Run Collective (opens in a new tab)
A pre-marathon gathering, with other runs and social events announced throughout the year. Future dates vary.
Where
Expat, 1434 W Chicago Ave; verify current post
Cost
Varies by event
Friday open hours and scheduled events varySocial
Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney (opens in a new tab)
A book bar with games, readings and hosted activities.
Where
2212 N Clybourn Ave, Lincoln Park
Cost
Buy a drink or food; event costs vary
Open daily; event and game-room hours varyBar
Chicago Athletic Association — Game Room (opens in a new tab)
Billiards, shuffleboard and other games in a hotel game room, with food and drinks available.
Where
12 S Michigan Ave, Loop
Cost
Food and drinks; game access varies

8:00 AM · weeklyFitness
South Loop Runners (opens in a new tab)
A group run for different paces, sometimes followed by coffee. Check the route and coffee stop before joining.
Where
South Loop / lakefront; check the weekly route
Cost
Free
Multi-week beginner classes; schedule variesFitness
Penguin Foot Pottery — beginner ceramics (opens in a new tab)
Beginner ceramics courses, including four-week sessions, with shared tools and the same group of classmates.
Where
Logan Square
Cost
$145 for the listed four-week class; verify current session price
Weekend classes; schedule variesFitness
The Chopping Block — hands-on cooking classes (opens in a new tab)
Prepare food with other students in a hands-on cooking class.
Where
Lincoln Square
Cost
Varies by class
Seasonal; next beach season dates not postedFitness
S3 North Avenue Beach volleyball (opens in a new tab)
Seasonal co-ed beach volleyball with individual registration. Outdoor play is off-season. Next summer's dates have not been announced.
Where
North Avenue Beach; seasonal league venue
Cost
Season fee; varies by league
Nov 14 · 10:00 AM–7:00 PM; Nov 15 · 10:00 AM–5:00 PMEvent
Randolph Street Holiday Market (opens in a new tab)
An indoor holiday market with vintage goods, artisan stalls, food, DJs and a bar.
Where
1341 W Randolph St, West Loop; confirm event entrance
Cost
$19 online general admission for both days ($20 at gate); check current ticket options
Dates vary; latest listing is for ages 37–49Event
CitySwoon Chicago — app-assisted speed dating (opens in a new tab)
Speed dating in age-specific groups. The latest listed Chicago event is for ages 37–49.
Where
Rotating Chicago venues
Cost
Varies by event
Dates, age ranges and ticket availability varyEvent
Jigsaw Dating Chicago (opens in a new tab)
Speed dating in age-specific groups. The October 10 coffee-shop event for ages 22–30 is sold out; the October 24 event is for ages 30–45.
Where
Rotating Chicago venues
Cost
Varies by event
Weekend brunch; reservation and seating varyBar
Bandit / Aba — West Loop brunch (opens in a new tab)
West Loop brunch with bar seating at both venues and a rooftop patio at Aba.
Where
Bandit: 841 W Randolph St; Aba: 302 N Green St, 3rd floor
Cost
Food and drinks; varies

8:30 AM · weeklyFitness
South Loop Runners — coffee run (opens in a new tab)
A Sunday group run with a coffee stop. Check the route and meeting point before joining.
Where
South Loop / lakefront; check the weekly route
Cost
Free; coffee optional
Sundays · 8:30 AM–3:00 PM through Oct 25, 2026Social
Logan Square Farmers Market (opens in a new tab)
An outdoor market with food vendors and music. The 2026 season runs through October 25.
Where
2620 N Milwaukee Ave, Logan Square
Cost
Free entry; purchases optional
Date-specific singles activity eventsEvent
Meet IRL — singles pickleball and mixers (opens in a new tab)
Singles pickleball, activity mixers and mini-date nights. Choose an event with an age range that fits you.
Where
Rotating courts and event venues
Cost
Varies by event
Daytime gym hours; classes varyFitness
First Ascent Climbing — open climbing and classes (opens in a new tab)
Open climbing, classes and community events at several Chicago gyms. Join a class or work on routes with other climbers.
Where
Chicago locations including Avondale, Uptown and West Loop
Cost
Day pass, class or membership; verify current rate
10:00 AM · Sundays; confirm weeklyFitness
Tortugas Run Club (opens in a new tab)
Sunday group runs welcoming a range of paces and body types. Check the route and any plans to gather afterward.
Where
Harrison Park, Pilsen
Cost
Free
Weekend group volunteer shifts; project schedule variesSocial
One Brick Chicago (opens in a new tab)
Volunteer together on setup, service and event staffing. The group also holds social events.
Where
Volunteer sites across Chicago; project dependent
Cost
Usually free; event dependent
Weekend brunch; reservation and seating varyBar
The Hampton Social / Summer House (opens in a new tab)
Weekend brunch with bar seating at both restaurants. Check their calendars for scheduled events.
Where
Hampton Social: 353 W Hubbard St; Summer House: 1954 N Halsted St
Cost
Food and drinks; varies
Author talks and book clubs · dates varyEvent
The Book Cellar (opens in a new tab)
Author talks and book-club meetings at a neighborhood bookstore. Check whether your chosen event requires registration.
Where
4736 N Lincoln Ave, Lincoln Square
Cost
Usually free; event dependent

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