Making new friends in Chicago just got easier!
Match then mix.

NewFriends Chicago is more than just speed friending; it's a system that makes forming genuine and deeper connections more likely. Whether you're new to Chicago or just expanding your circle, we provide a holistic system to help you build authentic, meaningful connections with your neighbors.

There are two ways to connect with others:

🟠 Match at events in-person and/or online

🟢 Mix with more people afterwards

There are three kinds of events:

🔴 Meet others in their 30's and 40's

🔵 Meet others in their 40's and 50's

🟡 Meet others in their 30's to 50's

Join the waitlist

Making friends as an adult can be challenging as we grow older.

Somewhere along the way... it got complicated. Life gets busy, friends move away or drift apart, routines set in, and suddenly it's harder to meet new people and build the real connections you want. You're not alone in feeling this way.

What if building real connections could feel natural again?

New Friends Chicago is designed to help adults create authentic, meaningful friendships in fun, low-pressure ways. Whether you're new to Chicago, eager to expand your social circle, or simply looking for more joy and connection, we help you find your people-quickly, naturally, and with zero awkwardness.

One event, multiple ways to connect!

Unlike traditional one-and-done events, every speed friending experience includes the chance to match and connect online afterward. This removes the pressure of making instant connections and gives you more ways to grow your social circle. Match with people in person or online during the event and meet others in a mixer at the end of the speed friending event.

The Community Grows with Every Event

Unlike traditional one-and-done events, every gathering grows our shared community pool. The more you attend, and the more friends you bring, the stronger, bigger, and more vibrant the network becomes for everyone. Each event makes the community at and between events better.

Testimonials

“Making friends as an adult is hard, but New Friends Chicago makes it feel easy. It’s more than one event—it’s an ongoing way to build real connections.”

Rachel

“I wasn’t new to Chicago, just ready to meet new people. The speed friending events are fun, and the growing community makes every experience better.”

Drew

“Unlike traditional speed friending, this doesn’t end after one night. The month-long experience helped me meet genuine people and actually form friendships.”

Sarah

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is NewFriends Chi for?

Whether you're new to Chicago or just expanding your circle, we provide a holistic system to help you build authentic, meaningful connections with your neighbors. People in their 30's, 40's, and 50's are the primary target audience for this friend-making service.

Events are open to all people looking to make new friends, all genders & sexualities are welcome!

Many studies and surveys have shown that the "friendship recession" and "loneliness epidemic" are driven by a complex interplay of cultural shifts, lifestyle changes, economic pressures, technology use, and physical environment factors. These factors have collectively eroded traditional support systems and reduced opportunities for organic, in-person social interactions. The loneliness epidemic is a public health concern, with the health impact of social disconnection comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It is a self-reinforcing cycle: the less people socialize, the harder it becomes to tolerate the vulnerability required for new connections, leading to further isolation.

NewFriends Chi aims to help curb the rise of loneliness and loss of friendships in adulthood by providing a platform for relationships to thrive.

What is speed friending and how does it work?

Speed friending is a fun, structured way for adults to meet new people quickly and comfortably—similar to speed dating, but focused entirely on building friendships rather than romantic connections.

How It Works

Participants rotate through short, timed conversations with different people.
Conversation prompts help break the ice and spark genuine interaction.
At the end, you can choose who you’d like to stay in touch with, and matches are shared afterward (often through the event host or platform).
Many events include a mixer afterward so you can keep chatting with people you connected with.

What Makes It Effective