Philadelphia IRL
Where to meet people in Philadelphia
West Philly Runners meet weekly, and South Philly Chess welcomes beginners. Pickleball sessions, dance classes, pottery classes and volunteer shifts are available throughout the week.
Monday, Today
Kitchen shifts, pickleball and singles speed dating
4 options
MANNA kitchen volunteer shifts (opens in a new tab)
Help prepare and pack meals for Philadelphians living with serious illnesses. Complete the new-volunteer orientation, then reserve a kitchen shift in MANNA's online calendar.
- Where
- The Steven Korman Nutrition Center, 420 N 20th St, Philadelphia
- Cost
- Volunteer shift; see calendar
Heyday Monday pickleball pickup (opens in a new tab)
Recreational and beginner pickleball for adults 18+. Sign up individually; no team is needed.
- Where
- St. Paul's Community Center, Philadelphia
- Cost
- $5
Volo Monday pickleball league (opens in a new tab)
Seven-week pickleball league with beginner and intermediate divisions. Register individually or as a team.
- Where
- Portres Sports Club, Northern Liberties
- Cost
- $79 per player or $210 per team
Philadelphia Singles Speed Dating (30s–40s) (opens in a new tab)
In-person speed dating for straight singles in their 30s and 40s at Urban Village Brewing Company.
- Where
- Urban Village Brewing Company, 1001 N 2nd St, Philadelphia
- Cost
- $25 per attendee
Tuesday, Today
Community food packing
1 option
Share Food Program warehouse packing (opens in a new tab)
Pack food boxes at the warehouse, including weighing boxes, building cartons and preparing cases for distribution.
- Where
- Share Food Program Volunteer Center, 3111 W Allegheny Ave, Philadelphia
- Cost
- See registration
Wednesday, Today
West Philly runs, chess and game night
5 options
West Philly Runners (opens in a new tab)
Weekly evening group run with 2-, 4- and 6-mile options. All paces are welcome.
- Where
- West Philadelphia; check the weekly run listing for the start point
- Cost
- Free
Run & Chug (opens in a new tab)
Choose a 2- or 4-mile run at a different bar each week. All paces are welcome, with a social stop after the run.
- Where
- A different Philadelphia bar each week; check the current listing
- Cost
- Free; food and drinks extra
South Philly Chess (opens in a new tab)
Casual chess for beginners and tournament players; boards and clocks are provided. The usual weekly game needs no RSVP. The pub is 21+.
- Where
- Lucky 13 Pub, 1820 S 13th St, Philadelphia
- Cost
- No club fee; food or drinks encouraged
Volo Wednesday cornhole league (opens in a new tab)
Five-week all-skills cornhole league in Fishtown. Register individually or as a team; the early price rises on Oct 17.
- Where
- Garage Fishtown, Philadelphia
- Cost
- $25 per player early price; $35 after Oct 17
Tribe 12 Monthly Game Night (opens in a new tab)
Board games in a group capped at 10; the ticket includes game rentals. Tribe 12 welcomes people who identify as Jewish, have a Jewish partner or are exploring Judaism.
- Where
- The Board and Brew, 3200 Chestnut St, Philadelphia
- Cost
- $6
Thursday, Today
Group runs, guided conversation and social sports
3 options
Fishtown Beer Runners (opens in a new tab)
Run, walk or meet the group at one of three city starts. The route is about 3–5 miles and finishes at a bar; walkers and non-drinkers are welcome.
- Where
- Palmer Park, Frankford & Palmer St; also South Philly and City Hall starts
- Cost
- Free; buy your own food or drinks
Skip the Small Talk at Evil Genius Beer Co. (opens in a new tab)
Pairs rotate through guided conversations with question prompts. Attend alone or with a friend; guests must be 21 or older.
- Where
- Evil Genius Beer Co., 1727 N Front St, Philadelphia
- Cost
- $19 ticket, plus tax and service fee
Volo Dodgeball + Flip Cup (opens in a new tab)
Five-week all-skills league that pairs dodgeball with flip cup. Register individually or as a team.
- Where
- Starfinder Foundation, Manayunk
- Cost
- $30 per player early price; $35 after Oct 17
Friday, Today
Salsa, pottery and softball
3 options
¡Bailar en FDR! Salsa Class and Social Dance (opens in a new tab)
An all-levels salsa lesson runs from 7–8 PM, followed by social dancing until 11. All ages are welcome; minors need an adult.
- Where
- Gateway Plaza at FDR Park, Broad St and Pattison Ave, Philadelphia
- Cost
- Free; RSVP requested
Rebel Potters beginner wheel-throwing intensive (opens in a new tab)
Five-week wheel-throwing class covering cylinders, bowls, mugs with handles and glazing. The class includes four open-studio sessions.
- Where
- Rebel Potters, 6139 Germantown Ave, Suite 110, Philadelphia
- Cost
- $175 plus clay ($25–$40); glaze and firing included
Heyday mixed-gender softball league (opens in a new tab)
Fall wood-bat softball for adults 18+ with individual registration. Games rotate between fields in the Art Museum area.
- Where
- Clemente Playground and Francisville Playground, Philadelphia
- Cost
- $65 per player; $20 weekly referee fee per team
Saturday, Today
Salsa lessons, games and park service
3 options
Society Hill Dance Academy — Salsa 1 (opens in a new tab)
Beginner salsa lessons. Bring a friend or ask the studio to pair you with a partner; four-week courses and drop-in classes are available.
- Where
- Society Hill Dance Academy, 1919 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia
- Cost
- $90 for four weeks or $25 drop-in
The Philly Game Shop Community Board Game Night (opens in a new tab)
Join the shop's open community board-game tables. Walk-in seating is free; use the shop's Discord guide for event sign-ups.
- Where
- The Philly Game Shop, 521–525 S 5th St, Philadelphia
- Cost
- Free walk-in seating; $30 to reserve a table
Friends of FDR Park cleanup (opens in a new tab)
Join a park cleanup with Friends of FDR Park. The organizer welcomes volunteers on their own or with a friend.
- Where
- FDR Park Welcome Center, Philadelphia
- Cost
- See event page for signup
Sunday, Today
D&D, pickleball and a bagel brunch
3 options
The Philly Game Shop — D&D 101 and one-shots (opens in a new tab)
Join an introductory Dungeons & Dragons session or a one-shot game. Email the shop before visiting to check session availability.
- Where
- The Philly Game Shop, 521–525 S 5th St, Philadelphia
- Cost
- Walk-in seating is free; ask staff about the session
Heyday beginner pickleball league (opens in a new tab)
Six-week beginner doubles league for adults 18+; open-gender registration is available for individuals or teams.
- Where
- Friends Select School, Philadelphia
- Cost
- $99 per player
Tribe 12 Bagel Brunch (opens in a new tab)
Monthly brunch ticket includes a bagel or breakfast sandwich and a drink or coffee. Tribe 12 welcomes people who identify as Jewish, have a Jewish partner or are exploring Judaism.
- Where
- Schmear Bagel Parlor, 1811 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia
- Cost
- $8
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On this 30-minute video call, I'll review your profile and current photos, talk through wardrobe options and help you decide whether a shoot makes sense. It's best to join from home so we can look through your closet together.
Schedule the callNext available photoshoot date: October 23rd, 2026