Written by Becky Lima-Matthews
London has a reputation for not always being the friendliest city in the world. And this is kind of true. People will barge you out of the way for the last seat on the tube. A lack of personal space will fray even the most saintly of tempers during rush hour. But that’s not the whole story. It can take a bit of time to find your people – like-minded individuals with whom you can meet up and moan about how everyone in London complains all the time – and develop a social circle that can become as important as family.
Meeting people through shared or niche interests is getting easier. Whether you’re shy in social situations, looking for someone to go for a run with or talk about books and films, or you’d like a dance partner, there are plenty of people who feel the same.
Here are our recommendations for London social clubs and meetups:
Social get-togethers
Facebook groups or Meetup groups aren’t just for career opportunities or networking, there are lots of social groups too.
But, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by options, or apprehensive at meeting new people, start with the London Shyness Meetup group. They encourage people to join up, with no pressure and are empathetic to those who experience social anxiety, shyness and depression.
Events include pub sessions, board game nights, chats over coffee and workshops in a low-pressure environment. In the organisers’ words: “Join and meet like minded people. No pressure to talk, just be there”.
If you search through the London groups on Meetup, you’ll find a group for pretty much any interest or activity. Some have a local focus, such as North London Friends, South London Social Group, West London Board Games and Richmond and Ealing Socials. They’re a great way to meet more people in your area.
Other regular London Meetup groups are more interest-based, such as London Photographic, Walks and Tours, and The London Cultureseekers Group.
Film clubs
Do you love a weekday matinee or maybe you’re into films that make your friends roll their eyes? You’re not alone. London has film clubs for pretty much every niche.
All Out Of Bubblegum Film Club explores a range of genres at the Rio Hackney cinema. The focus on new films that are bound to become classics or films that have already reached this status, along with cult films, such as Eraserhead. At the end of each screening, there is lively discussion.
Over in Rotherhithe, you can explore world cinema at Sands Film Club. Weekly and monthly screenings are held at the Sands Film Studio. To join, sign up for free membership – although donations are appreciated to help pay technicians and performers. It’s easy to pre-book online to guarantee your seat.
Meanwhile, at The Duke Mitchell Film Club, resident host The Duke has been hosting free, obscure, cult and odd film events for the past decade, mainly at Leicester Square’s iconic Prince Charles Cinema.
Book clubs and groups
There are book groups all over London, with some based on location, while others tend to focus on genres of literature. There are several community-based book clubs, including the Newington Green-based Radical Readers club, the online OKHA, the queer + Black book club and The Asian Book Club, which runs film screenings as well as book and author discussions.
The bigger book clubs include:
Brixton Book Group
As the name suggests, the very relaxed Brixton Book Group is based in Brixton. Every three or four weeks, they meet in a pub – usually the Effra Social – and new members are always welcome. At each meeting, they will discuss the previous month’s book and pick the next one. Democracy rules, as books are pitched by group members and put to a vote. Expect lively discussion and an eclectic mix of sci-fi contemporary fiction, non-fiction, pulp fiction and classic – pretty much anything goes. The only criteria for joining is to bring along a book to suggest, and turn up to the next one if yours wins the vote.
Book Bar Book Club
One of a growing number of bookshop-cum-social spaces, North London’s Book Bar is all about bringing people together through books. As well as a regular roster of author events, Book Bar hosts a monthly club. It runs in-person and virtual events. You can join for a subscription fee of £15.00, which includes the price of the book you’ll be reading that month. The emphasis is on contemporary fiction and non-fiction, including works by Elif Shafak, Natasha Brown and Meg Mason.
Website: bookbaruk.comLondon Wine and Dine Book Club
Plenty of book clubs involve discussing books over a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. But, as the name makes clear, eating and drinking are actively encouraged at the London Wine and Dine Book Club. They meet twice a month in central London restaurants, and there’s a £3.00 charge to attend.
Website: meetup.com/london-wine-and-dine-book-club/Choirs
Some of London’s most inclusive, fun and socially active groups are choirs. There are choirs for every musical taste, background and belief system, many of which don’t even require auditions. Check our guide for a full list of London’s best community choirs.
Fitness
Combine a love of running with some volunteering at GoodGym. You can run with your local GoodGym group (they’re based all over London) for free, or make a donation if you wish. The easiest way to get involved is to participate in group runs. These are usually led by a personal trainer or running coach who leads the way to a task in the local community, such as helping with the gardening in a school or care home.
And if running isn’t your thing, there are plenty of walking groups in London. The Ramblers is an association of different walking groups based in London and beyond. Aimed at encouraging people to enjoy the benefits of walking, London groups include London Strollers, for shorter walks, Metropolitan Walks, for people in their 20s and 30s, and various borough-based groups.
Dancing societies and groups
Step out, and find others who want to swing, jive, lindy hop and any other form you’re into.
One of the bigger groups is London Free Swing Dance. Join their Meetup page for Charleston taster sessions, free swing classes and demos.
Another big group is London Ballroom Club who have weekly dance classes in Balham and Ealing. They hold dance classes in Balham and Ealing. No partner is required. And if toe-tapping to big musical numbers are more your bag, check out the events at classes at London Tap Jam.
Originally published in Aug 2018, it was updated in March 2025.
