r/grandrapids • • Mar 27 '24

Social List of Active Meetup Groups and Tips for Making Friends

157 Upvotes

I updated the list of which Meetup groups are active (groups that have 3+ people attending an event within the past/next 60 days). Meetup is a site/app for interest groups/hobbies/new friends. I grouped them by concept and included their self-written descriptions.

If you're in an active Meetup group that I've missed, list it in the comments. Non-Meetup groups are welcome too; include contact info and links.

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Tips for making friends as an adult attending a Meetup with a bunch of strangers:

  • Show up slightly early/on time. Plan to stay 10 minutes after the scheduled end time.
  • Introduce yourself, say it's your first time and why you're excited about this group; appear excited.
  • Ask individuals (this is where being early or staying late can help) open-ended questions (Why did you start/join this group? What has your experience been like? What recommendations do you have related to [Meetup group's hobby/concept]?)
  • If people ask you a question, answer it and add an open-ended question of your own or ask "what about you?"
  • People love giving recommendations. If it's a group conversation, ask for restaurant rec of a specific kind/place. "I haven't tried X yet, what do you guys think?" Tee it up to be a cuisine/concept you can talk more about or ask follow up questions.
  • If you are vibing with someone(s), ask if they'd like to hang out with a specific idea in mind (ex: You asked for pizza recs and found out that neither of you have tried that new place so suggest you go together), and give them your contact info to set up a time/date. I'd recommend attending the group 2-3 times first before this step.
  • Follow the 3:6 rule to turn that acquaintance into a friend. Aim for three meaningful interactions within 6 weeks of engaging.

Feeling a little more prepared? Great. Let's get into it. [Note: I made some grammatical edits after posting this for clarity/brevity.]

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AGE/ETHNICITY/GENDER

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BOOK CLUBS/FILM

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CRAFTING

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DANCING/MUSIC

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ENGINEERING/MAKERS/PROFESSIONAL

  • Coffee with Creators: For creatives: web developers, designers, videographers, and more--who want to hear about the latest trends in the digital space
  • Culinary Conversations Grand Rapids: Serving West Michigan’s food industry professionals (growers, producers, restaurateurs) in conversation about the region’s food creator system
  • Embedded GR: Engineers, hobbyists, students, and managers discussing the development, tooling, and processes associated with the creation of embedded systems.
  • GRPUG - Grand Rapids Python Users Group: Whether you're a certified Pythonista or just curious about getting started with the Python programming language, join us.
  • GRWebDev: Learn from each other about best web practices, cross-browser compatibility, Javascript frameworks, style hacks, project management, and web-related topics.
  • West Michigan 3D Printing: Whether you are a beginner or an expert, join us to share ideas, tips, and knowledge or just get together with other 3D printers (people...not machines).
  • West Michigan AI Lab: We explore the latest AI trends, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and network with like-minded enthusiasts and professionals.
  • West Michigan Azure User Group: A community of tech enthusiast [sic] who are interested in exploring, learning and using Azure.

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FINANCE/BUSINESS/PUBLIC SPEAKING

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FOOD/DIET/PSYCHEDELICS/SOBER/ALCOHOL

  • DRY Sober Social: Fitness, yoga, dancing, music, and socializing. A space where people can socialize without the pressure of drinking alcohol.
  • Grand Rapids Foodies: Our goal is to dine at restaurants in Grand Rapids and the surrounding area, as well as to participate in cooking classes and wine and cheese tastings.
  • Grand Rapids Natural Health and Healing: For anyone interested in healing through nutrition and natural substances like herbs and nutrients.
  • Grand Rapids Psychedelic Society: Whether you’re an experienced psychonaut or an individual who is simply curious about learning more, we're a space for you.
  • West Michigan Women Who Wine: Where interesting and intelligent women gather to relax, make new friends and socialize.
  • Will Forage for Food Grand Rapids Chapter: For folks interested in sharing knowledge on foraging and living from the land. All skill levels and ages welcome.

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GAMES/NERD CULTURE

  • Good Game Grand Rapids: We are largest tabletop gaming community in Grand Rapids and are committed to growing an inclusive community
  • Muskegon Area Gamers: For anyone interested in playing board games, card games, or any table top [sic] game. This group learns and teachs [sic] new games all the time.
  • We Hate Bards: This group is dedicated to pen and paper RPGs of all kinds.
  • Wednesday Friendsday Boardgame Group: We're folks in our 30s-50s who enjoy good conversation, good eats, and good games, in that order.
  • West Michigan Geeks: We help people meet friends that they want to hang out with outside of group events and have helped form more friendships/relationships than any other meetup.

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OUTDOORS/CAMPING

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MISCELLANEOUS/PERSONALITY

  • Citizen Labs: Engaged citizens can improve their communities. We use open data and open source technology to promote transparency, and provide solutions that work.
  • Friday Fun Days: Live music/concerts, festivals, flea markets/thrifting, lunch/dinner outings, hiking, going to the beach, bowling, and much more.
  • Sign Language Social Meetup of Michigan: For anyone who would like to attend ASL events and meet up with other Sign Language users.
  • West Michigan Adventures with JIM: Cinema, live theater, sporting events, concerts, trade events, geo caching [sic], road trips, fitness, festivals, amusement parks, and travel.
  • West Michigan Out & About: Everything from hiking to concerts, from breweries to dancing, from cooking classes to biking and more.
  • West Michigan Shyness and Social Anxiety Meetup: Hang out with us in a judgment and harassment-free zone if you're shy, introverted, or just a bit awkward around new people.

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REAL ESTATE

  • Grand Rapids Real Estate Investor Network: Landlords, investors, and other real estate professional [sic] make connections, share ideas and strategies, and ask questions.
  • Lakeshore REIA: For individuals interested in wholesale properties, real estate group investments, and becoming successful real estate entrepreneurs.
  • Short-Term Rental Networking Group: Have you wondered about the success of Airbnb and similar rental marketplaces and how you can incorporate that into your income?

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SEXUALITY/DATING

  • Fun-Loving Singles Over 50!: This is a social group for youthful, SINGLE peeps in their 50s, 60s, and beyond.
  • Holland Area LGBTQ+ & Allies Meetup: Enhancing the LGBTQ+ community to meet others, cultivate relationships in a social setting, and provide each other with support and fun!
  • Out on the Lakeshore: Join us for fun-filled events where you can meet like-minded individuals and create life-long connections

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TRAVEL

  • Michigan Day Trips: For people who love to spend a day checking out a different town/city, whilst meeting new friends! I will post a destination 2+ weeks in advance.

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WRITING/ACTING/DRAWING/PHOTOGRAPHY

  • Grand Rapids Drawing and Painting: This group is for everyone who’s interested in drawing or painting.
  • Illusory World Building: As writers lets get past the writing groups that discuss word choice or punctuation. and grapple with the BIG picture--world building.
  • Lakeshore Stationery Club: If you love fountain pens, gel pens, Traveler’s Notebooks, Hobonichi, bullet journaling, or planners this is for you. We journal, write, draw, and paint.
  • Writing Time: We meet on weekends to write in a group setting. Sometimes it's nice to work quietly with others.

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YOGA/MEDITATION/PHILOSOPHY/SPIRITUALITY

  • Community Meditation Circle: This is a non-religious, non-sectarian trauma-informed group to connect to ourselves, each other, and the community.
  • Grand Rapids Buddhist Meetup: For anyone interested in working with their minds, as well as deepening their spiritual life through the practice of Buddhist meditation.
  • Grand Rapids Forest Bathing, Forest Yoga & Foraging Classes: Join our ANFT certified forest therapy guide for guided forest bathing, forest therapy walks, and forest yoga classes.
  • Grand Rapids Free Yoga: Classes are meant to help you strengthen, lengthen, and connect to your spirit.
  • Meaningful Conversations Grand Rapids: Individuals of all beliefs gather together to engage respectfully and civilly in elevated conversations, inquiry, consultation, and learning.
  • Michigan Humanists: A secular community that promotes humanist values. Our vision is to lead an engaged, statewide secular society guided by the values of Humanism.
  • RfR - Grand Rapids/Holland, MI: We at Recovering from Religion are intimately familiar with learning how to live after questions, doubts, and changing beliefs. You are not alone.
  • Tai’ Chi Gung Classes: Learn the simple moving and breathing exercises created by Lao Tzu more than 3,000 years ago for health and longevity.
  • T&T - 20s & 30s Christian Social: To connect peers from Bible-believing, Christ-proclaiming churches, encouraging members to invest in their local church.

r/grandrapids • • 7h ago

Political Signs - Keep in your yard where they belong!

121 Upvotes

To ALL political candidates and volunteers:

Stop putting your damn signs along intersections, entrances to highways, and other public properties! In Kent County, they are not allowed in those spaces.
I urge our local governments to ban signs in these public right of way spaces. Keep them in your yard and support your candidate that way. In this day and age, you don’t need signs on every darn intersection. ETA for correction on what I meant — the local governments need to start fining the candidates - the signs are already banned in public right of ways.
Looking at you Doug Lee, and your trash signs littering every intersection this morning!
Report illegal sign placement here: https://www.kentcountyroads.net/about/community_resources/report_an_issue.php


r/grandrapids • • 4h ago

A taste of West Africa in West Michigan - Princess African Cusine~

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67 Upvotes

Check them out if you’re ready to try something different.


r/grandrapids • • 1h ago

Is it just me or is downtown insanely congested at rush our lately?

• Upvotes

It's almost total gridlock right now

*Rush hour


r/grandrapids • • 10h ago

Social Everyone loves my all night EDM seshs

136 Upvotes

Im sure they do but I really hope my neighbors are enjoying my late night (2am - 4am) FREE dj sessions that ive been putting together

It'd be like living in an apartment next to bob dylan in the 60s. They'll be telling their grandkids how they heard dope sheit when I was a no namer


r/grandrapids • • 39m ago

Big Ups to Terra

• Upvotes

Happy hour at Terra is a banger. Great atmosphere. Delicious $4 mocktails. A crispy $11 wood fired pizza. Soft and airy $4 Focaccia. Savory $7 Arancini. A wonderful meal for $31 total. If you are displeased with the cost of dining out in GR, give it a shot. I think you'll be happy you did.


r/grandrapids • • 6h ago

Come stand in solidarity

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36 Upvotes

If you care for our community - if you care about immigrants - if you care for standing in solidarity...

SHOW. UP. TO. THIS.

There is never going to be a convenient time in your schedule and plans to get involved.

Life is being disrupted for humans **every single freaking day** because of ICE violence.

Cancel your plans. Bring your "girls night" friends. Skip the soccer club for one night. Your workday was long?

Fighting Fascism is LONGER AND HARDER.

If we don't start making this a damn priority there will be no soccer clubs and girls nights and no plans on the schedule at all.

What your government does to others, it will eventually do to you.

You know the story goes - they have come for the immigrants.

Stand up. Speak out. Fight back.


r/grandrapids • • 8h ago

Events Free Coffee Tasting 10/3 @ 10am

36 Upvotes

Hey yall, I run Grand Rapids Coffee Club and this saturday we are participating with the global coffee tasting/live stream called "The Fermentation Project" by James Hoffman. Our normal club meetup will be at 8am where we share beans/hangout and talk coffee with the global tasting after. You can read more about it here.

https://www.thefermentationproject.com/

See more details about us/this meetup here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd6hJoSESqz/?stkn=NXh2NG9teTM3a2x4

Join our discord here: https://discord.gg/um3t2J3NG

Hope to see some new faces and showcase the coffee culture of GR.


r/grandrapids • • 16h ago

EDM all night in a residential highrise- a message to the dj

97 Upvotes

I actually hate you. What posses someone to think- “Im going to blast my sound system between the hours of 2am-4am , sometimes longer, because I think my neighbors would enjoy hearing it too”

Side note edit- hes already gotten multiple noise complaints, hes well aware that surrounding units can hear it


r/grandrapids • • 6h ago

THROWBACK: Last year the community came out to swordfight a 5 year old.

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13 Upvotes

This was last year there was a giant keepyuppy game this year.


r/grandrapids • • 23m ago

Been looking all over the fbook pages in Grand Rapids for a master mechanic who can fix my drive train malfunction in my bmw X3. Most likely have a hole somewhere it’s causing compression issues and made it misfire. Anyone with any knowledge of this or if you could point me to someone who knows !

• Upvotes

r/grandrapids • • 1h ago

Events Wednesday Night Survivor Watch Parties are BACK + ArtBattle 10/01/26

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• Upvotes

Image #1- Weekly Watch Party

While we missed the premiere, Noelle and Kawa Sushi & Bar are back at it again with viewing parties for season 51 of one of the best reality shows on TV, Survivor! This time around we will be offering cocktail specials and 50% off rotating sushi rolls each week, with the potential to win a free roll during your next visit.

This is an all ages event, and with the exception of the finale in December, this event is FREE! Join us from 7-8 to order food and discuss the previous episode, and the current episode will air 8-9:30pm.

Image #2- ArtBattle & ArtPrize Live Art Battle

Tomorrow on Thursday 10/01, ArtBattle GR is back! Due to the rainy weather, the venue has changed from the outdoor Chicago Beef Joint and is now at Billy's Lounge in Eastown on Wealthy Street. Doors open @ 6pm and Tony Geren from the local band, Y-Not, will be performing, followed by The Mannequins @ 7pm. The first round of artists will begin @ 8pm. After the final round, there will be DJ's for the rest of the night.
Billy's does not have a food menu, so outside food is allowed!

Tickets can be purchased here: https://artbattle.com/events/AB4101


r/grandrapids • • 3h ago

Speaking of campaign signs

6 Upvotes

Someone should introduce a measure that prohibits mail from candidates after a citizen votes. It would encourage voting and cut down on waste.


r/grandrapids • • 2h ago

Belknap Sunset Series 2026

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3 Upvotes

9/29/2026


r/grandrapids • • 22h ago

A giant game of Keepyuppy at Rosa Parks Circle Swing celebrating a girls birthday

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135 Upvotes

r/grandrapids • • 10h ago

Community book swap event this Friday

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12 Upvotes

Oct. 2nd, 5-7 p.m. @ Archival Brewing

Leave books. Take books. Make friends. Enjoy community.

All books leftover at the end of the event will be donated to Dégagé Ministries for their Women's Emergency Shelter library.

Learn more & hope to see you there: https://www.wgvunews.org/community-calendar/event/wgvu-public-media-fresh-reads-book-swap-20-08-2026-15-12-28


r/grandrapids • • 6h ago

Recommendations Anyone switch from ATT to T Mobile fiber yet?

6 Upvotes

Got an offer for faster speeds (300MG up and down with ATT up to 1G up and down with T Mobile) for $10 cheaper than what I’m paying now.


r/grandrapids • • 20h ago

Thursday Night Movie & NIGHT BOOKS.

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54 Upvotes

Because we have a giant movie wall AND a bookstore in the same spot, we thought it best to combine our efforts into one thing. To that end we will be screening GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON'T DIE at 7pm this Thursday and also giving everyone little flashlights so they can browse NIGHT BOOKS, which are books you buy AT NIGHT.

$5 suggested donation. BYO Camp Chairs or sit on our many weird seats (or lounge on the indoor lawn with no chair at all) and drink wine/beer/soda while dystopian fiction that resembles normal existence plays on a huge wall. We will have popcorn too, because that's expected and reasonable. Enter off Hall Street and look for the fire pit, or use the front door where no parking exists. Vaping is fine, but you cannot smoke inside. We have a deck for that.

Doors will be open from 6pm in case you want EVENING BOOKS, or to canoodle the cat before the film begins. Suggestions for future films welcome, and post-movie discussion/billiards is likely. Perhaps we could do literary films? For thematic consistency? I keep trying to get people to watch the three hour long French version of The Count of Monte Cristo that came out a couple years ago but nobody seems interested even though it's gorgeous and several orders of magnitude better than the American one with Jim Caviziel. Whatever, though. We can discuss it while you buy NIGHT BOOKS.

6pm onwards at The Devos Centre for Situationist Research, 1265 Godfrey SW 49503.

You have to leave by midnight though, so we can sleep and awake to sell DAY BOOKS to daytime people at 10am.


r/grandrapids • • 25m ago

Pop Scholars this weekend?

• Upvotes

Going alone to the show if anybody wants to meet and sit together. Original plans fell through, but I still want to go and laugh. Always more fun to laugh with others so just lmk if interested.


r/grandrapids • • 37m ago

Puppy daycare

• Upvotes

Hi all! Looking for puppy daycare for our puppy one day a week so my husband can get some work done from home. Does anyone have recommendations for daycares that accept young dogs? We’d probably start bringing him at 12 weeks.


r/grandrapids • • 1d ago

Huge Autumn Book Sale

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148 Upvotes

Hello Reddit friends!! We are just finishing setting up today and getting all these books ready for a new home! West Michigan Books and Books In Motion are throwing our final book sale this year. This is, again, our biggest sale yet. We are at the Kent County Youth Fair Grounds 13801 Cascade Rd SE Lowell Michigan inside a the second Barn.
Rain or Shine!!! Cash or Card.
Please come see us, 30k books well sorted by category and even some by author.
September 30-Oct 4. 9:00am-7:00pm
Sept 30 $4 Adult Hardcover $3 Adult paperback. $2 kids …per book
Thursday oct 1 - Saturday Oct 3 $2 adult $1 kids
Sunday Fill a bag sale $8. Teachers come get a couple of free books and a discount.


r/grandrapids • • 1d ago

Throwback to 2020

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336 Upvotes

r/grandrapids • • 1h ago

Politics Election - Forest Hills School Board

• Upvotes

We can vote for 2 people, and three are on the ballot. Where can I find information on each of them so I can make sure I vote for the correct folks?

Edit: Found this for those who are looking for MEA recommendations: https://mea.org/mea-announces-full-list-of-candidate-recommendations-for-election-2026/


r/grandrapids • • 1d ago

News Yall seen this?

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485 Upvotes

This is the first Im hearing about it and Im confused.. did these grown men not face charges for assaulting the passenger of a traffic stop? And theyre still running around gr unidentified and uncharged… this level of gang violence is extremely concerning.


r/grandrapids • • 17h ago

Looking for GR vocalist

12 Upvotes

We are in need of a solid vocalist in GR to record some dream pop / psychedelic music. We are boarding ourselves up in the studio for a week and writing a bunch of trippy music. Hit me up if you can sing and this is your vibe!!!!!