1Havana Club
Salsa and bachata club·Central Square, Cambridge·$·20s
Latin dance parties six nights a week, each with lessons before the social dancing and beginners very welcome. You rotate partners in class, so by the time the party starts you already know half the room. Some nights are 18+, others 21+.
288 Green St, Cambridge, MA · Walk-in
2Knight Moves Cafe
Board game café·Coolidge Corner, Brookline·$·20s
A friendly board game café in Coolidge Corner with a big shelf of games to play and community events. Easy to come with a friend or two and end up sharing a table.
1402 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446 · Takes bookings
3Improv Asylum
Improv classes·North End·$$·All ages
A North End comedy theatre with a training centre offering improv, writing and stand-up classes for adults, plus open houses for curious beginners. Class groups bond quickly and often stay friends.
216 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113 · Takes bookings
4Harpoon Brewery Beer Hall
Beer hall·Seaport·$$·20s
The beer hall of one of Boston's oldest craft breweries, a big, casual space in the Seaport. Groups of friends and after-work crowds make it easy to fall into conversation over a pint.
306 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210 · Walk-in
5Cambridge Center for Adult Education
Adult classes·Harvard Square, Cambridge·$$·40+
A long-standing nonprofit with classes in languages, cooking, performing arts, writing and more, plus events like poetry readings. Its mission is literally to help neighbours make new connections, and it suits every age.
42 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138 · Takes bookings
6Boston Ski & Sports Club
Adult sports leagues and ski trips·Fields, courts and bars across Boston·$$·20s
Boston's big social sports club, with adult leagues such as soccer and volleyball plus group ski trips in winter. You can join solo, and the trips and leagues are built for meeting people.
Leagues at venues across Greater Boston, MA · Takes bookings
7Bow Market
Market courtyard·Union Square, Somerville·$$·30s
A courtyard of small independent shops, food stalls and bars around a central open-air space in Somerville, open late on Thursday to Saturday. Its events calendar and shared seating make it a relaxed place to mingle.
1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143 · Walk-in
8Aeronaut Brewing Co.
Brewery taproom·Somerville·$$·20s
A science-minded Somerville brewery whose taproom hosts live music and events alongside its beer and food. A friendly neighbourhood crowd keeps it social.
14 Tyler St, Somerville, MA · Takes bookings
9Lamplighter Brewing Co.
Brewery taproom·Cambridgeport, Cambridge·$$·30s
A popular Cambridge brewery with a taproom and an in-house coffee shop, Pepita Coffee Co., so it works for a morning coffee or an evening beer. A relaxed spot to join friends of friends.
284 Broadway, Cambridge, MA · Walk-in
10Club Passim
Folk music club·Harvard Square, Cambridge·$$·40+
A legendary basement folk club with live music seven nights a week, a regular open mic and a school of music with classes and workshops. Regulars are welcoming, and music fans of all ages mix easily.
47 Palmer St, Cambridge, MA · Takes bookings