How to make friends in Nottingham: find a plan that feels like you
Books, beginner salsa, a Saturday park routine and alcohol-free events: practical ways to meet people in Nottingham, whether you are new or already at home here.
By KF.Social·4 min read
Editorial illustration inspired by Nottingham. Not a photograph of members or an event.
A good social plan should feel appealing before you think about who you might meet. Perhaps you want a conversation about books, something more energetic after work or a weekend morning that gets you out of the house. Nottingham offers quite different ways to take part, so there is no need to squeeze yourself into one version of a night out.
These ideas are for people who already live here as much as people arriving for the first time. You may know the city but want a new interest, or have friends whose schedules rarely match yours. Start with the kind of company and commitment you would enjoy, then choose an actual session.
01Let a book start the conversation
Nottingham City Libraries' reading groups include central and neighbourhood options. Joining is free and most groups welcome new members. At Central Library, the programme ranges from fiction and crime to Literary Pride, a group for LGBTQ+ readers and allies that explores monthly themes. Branch groups include Bulwell Riverside, St Ann's Valley and Wollaton.
Read the details for your chosen group. Some Central sessions are drop-in, while others link to a booking form. Check whether there is a particular book to read or a theme to explore, and ask staff about joining midway through a programme. A monthly discussion can fit around a busy week, but the reading commitment matters too. Pick a subject you want to discuss rather than choosing solely by the nearest date.
02Try salsa without organising a partner first
Salsaché teaches complete beginners as well as experienced dancers and explicitly says you do not need a partner or previous dance experience to start. Its programme includes a Tuesday Cuban salsa and rueda class in Nottingham, with other beginner options in Kimberley and Arnold/Woodthorpe.
Choose the specific class listing, check its venue and follow the current booking or first-visit offer. Different locations and levels should not be treated as interchangeable. Learning a shared movement gives the evening some structure; you can concentrate on the class rather than carrying a whole conversation. If you are unsure about access, clothing or the format, ask the school before booking.
03Make Saturday morning your regular plan
Wollaton Park parkrun is a free weekly 5k event where people can walk, jog, run, volunteer or watch. The venue's page links to registration and gives the meeting point. Register before your first participation and check the event's current information for cancellations, route details and volunteer arrangements.
This can suit someone who would rather spend time outdoors than plan a late evening. You do not have to turn it into a race. Allow enough time to find the start, and check the terrain and weather against your needs. Participation is free, but travel and parking may cost extra. Returning to the same activity can create familiar faces; meeting a new friend on the first visit is not a requirement.
04Explore an evening without an alcohol focus
Café Sobar is an alcohol-free café and venue in Nottingham city centre, run by the recovery charity Double Impact. Its public programme includes music, comedy, exhibitions and groups. The venue welcomes people who want to socialise without an alcohol focus; you do not need to be in recovery to visit.
Use its current events list to find a format you would actually enjoy, then check opening hours, tickets and any attendance requirements. A café visit and a hosted group are different experiences. Some sessions are recovery support rather than general social events, so read the individual description instead of assuming every listing is a mixer.
05Choose one invitation you can follow through on
Consider the whole journey, including how you will get home after the session. A local branch group might fit your routine better than repeatedly crossing the city. Try one plan, introduce yourself and return if you liked it; a second conversation is often easier than the first.
You can also discover people and chat online through KF.Social. For future shared meals, join Nottingham's dinner waitlist and hear when booking opens. Start connecting in the app now, with dinner invitations to follow when local tables are ready.
Local programmes change. Check the organiser links above for current dates, booking and access details. Spotted something out of date? Send us a correction.
Find your people in Nottingham
Start a conversation on KF.Social today. Download the friendship app to meet people online, and join the Plans waitlist to hear when Plans start there.
KF.Social