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.

​

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.]

​

AGE/ETHNICITY/GENDER

​

BOOK CLUBS/FILM

​

CRAFTING

​

DANCING/MUSIC

​

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.

​

FINANCE/BUSINESS/PUBLIC SPEAKING

​

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.

​

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.

​

OUTDOORS/CAMPING

​

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.

​

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?

​

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

​

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.

​

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.

​

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 • • 6h ago

Wednesday 4 days of mail. 27 political flyers... I'm so sick of this shit.

Post image
227 Upvotes

I wish there was some way to get myself off their fucking mailing lists.

Last time I didn't check my mail for nearly 2 weeks & had just shy of 50 flyers.


r/grandrapids • • 15h ago

News Oh No! Another Camera has been damaged!

Thumbnail
youtu.be
434 Upvotes

Around 4am, Oct. 14, 2026 in Courtland Township 14 Mile Road, east of Northland drive.

KCSD is encouraging people to reach out if they have questions about this technology. And a "transparency portal"...

Anyone have a chance to talk to our newly appointed sheriff about this?


r/grandrapids • • 3h ago

Last Gilmore Car Museum cruise-in of the season last night. A few of my favorites.

Thumbnail
gallery
30 Upvotes

r/grandrapids • • 1h ago

News So sick of losing power Consumers Energy

• Upvotes

No bloody reason for people on the NE side of Grand Rapids to lose power right now. Better not take long to get us back up and running. I swear we lose power every fricking month.


r/grandrapids • • 4h ago

Going out on a limb here.

33 Upvotes

Hello,

The short of it; I'm a bit awkward and making friends as adults is awkward.

I'm 30s female, neurodivergent, artist. I enjoy all sorts of stuff but just really want to find genuine platonic connections and get outside of myself and space more.

Could be as simple as coffee, go for a walk and chat, smoke a joint if that interests you as well, go wander. No expectations, just chill whatever. Do want to stress that I am only looking for platonic connection.

If any of this sounds cool to you, my inbox is open.

Thanks!


r/grandrapids • • 58m ago

Who BOOKS the Bookmen?

Thumbnail
gallery
• Upvotes

Several weekends have passed. Many hundreds, if not thousands of books have left our weary, dust-covered fingers and entered your homes. We have since acquired many thousands of new (used) books to replace them, and (despite the obvious physical toll and absolute sweaty BULLSHIT that building shelves in OCTOBER SUMMER entails) we have also constructed a BOOK CORRIDOR and a NEW ARRIVALS SHELF and even a long Contemporary Sci-Fi paperback wall. We have erected not one but TWO tables full of books under $5. One of them is full of books that are ONLY ONE DOLLAR. Absolutely nothing is only one dollar anymore. Not even Sour Patch Kids. Except Arizona Iced Tea. That's still 99 cents. Those people have been making a profit selling delicious sugar water for like ... 30 years, for 99 cents. It's crazy.

Crazy that they are not in charge of our national budget, so obviously suited for the task as they are.

Regardless, Aletheia Books will once again be open this FRIDAY and SATURDAY from 11am to 7pm to provide you, the hardworking people of Grand Rapids (or at least the ones that are on reddit, so maybe not the most hardworking, but whatever) with SO MANY BOOKS IT'S JUST PLAIN UNADVISABLE.

We have so much PHILOSOPHY. Enough to learn how to THINK!

We have CLASSICAL STUDIES for people who need to read about times and places that are not actively collapsing (because they collapsed centuries ago).

We have THEOLOGICAL SCHOLARSHIP for all you seminary youths who wish to dig deep into your first century Church fathers and such.

We have SCIENCE FICTION from the 1940s through to sometime last week, so you can track the progression from nascent genre to whatever the hell they're writing about today. (and we have a massive cart of vintage hardcovers that we will be pricing AS YOU WATCH like some sort of live circus act, so feel free to cheer us on and throw coins or loose bills)

We have BAGELS with CREAM CHEESE and COFFEE and WINE (which so far is just for that one lady that comes to see Peggy and drink wine, but we believe in you; you too can drink wine and pet Peggy until it becomes like a cat-centric wine party).

We have MOVIES ON FRIDAY AT 7pm! Movies like THE CRAFT where you can remember how perfectly '90s weird/hot Fairuza Balk was while you relive your witchy teens (or current witchy teens). And we would like to thank the mom and daughters that came out to watch Dirty Dancing last week because you were so nice and pleasant and friendly and into Dirty Dancing that it gave us a week-long buzz.

We have a completely unexpected and confusing batch of BASEBALL MURDER MYSTERIES which is niche even by our standards.

We have CLASSIC LITERATURE out the wazoo, but we can put it in the wazoo if you ask nicely.

We have 4000+ books about MUSIC to suit just about any taste, including (as we recently learned) ethnomusicology students.

We have a remarkably varied and endlessly entertaining GENERAL NONFICTION section that contains ... everything, basically. All the things you would ever need to know that are not in the other sections.

We have 23 remaining signed, numbered Bukowskis for that elusive but expensive Christmas present you are always trying to give your drunk husband.

And we have Pop Tarts, because we love you (and Pop Tarts).

So come on down, meet the cat, and purchase LITERATURE (or whatever BASEBALL MURDER MYSTERIES are) at the only giant mom-and-pop warehouse cinema bookstore screenprinting studio cafe thing on the Wyoming border.

(and before I forget again, we are located at The DeVos Centre for Situationist research, 1265 Godfrey SW, 49503; entrance around the back off of Hall Street, with parking and everything).


r/grandrapids • • 5h ago

Entry-level job openings with respectful ownership?

18 Upvotes

20F here looking for jobs that are hiring right now with decent pay in GR area! I have 4 years of customer service experience and am currently working as a server. I'm open to all kinds of positions but my idea of an honest job interview starts something like this: Are you or your managers abusive jerks?

I love restaurant work, but I will not work for another abusive, manipulative owner or manager. I've seen my share of screaming, disrespectful, and even delusional bosses. A few were inappropriate with the younger girls or failed to protect them from customers who hit on them. So if you've have good experiences especially as a woman in GR at a place that may be hiring, let me know!


r/grandrapids • • 3h ago

Halloween

4 Upvotes

Hey, anyone know any bars that are doing halloween pop ups for halloweekend? Or parties on Friday and Saturday? Last year we went to Founders and it was fun but I was dressed as Art the Clown and it def wasn’t that kind of vibe lol


r/grandrapids • • 1d ago

Events GR area State Rep Candidate hosting paid event for White Supremacist ?

Post image
407 Upvotes

Saw this post earlier. Does anyone know who this William Null guy is? Why is Doug Lee holding an event for him?

“I am a lifelong resident of Cascade and adore my community. I have never been as disgusted as I was when I learned that Doug Lee and his small group had organized and were selling tickets to a local event hosting avowed white supremacist and racist William Null. These tickets were marketed to families with DISCOUNTED PRICES FOR STUDENTS. This is why I would NEVER vote for Doug Lee!! Please remember his absolute support of putting data centers in our backyards!! (all while he pretends to be concerns about our water) Please share this all over the 80th”

Edit: I had never heard of Doug Lee before I saw the above post yesterday. I learned a little more about this Doug Lee guy today from this Forrest Hills post that I came across. Sounds like Doug Lee does not care about our children and the schools they attend. Lily Cheng-Schulting sounds like somebody who really cares about the community and her constituents and does not hang out with these racist gun fetish people. Curious on what people know or think about Doug Lee? What has he done to help the community? Does he work with any community organizations?

"Doug Lee, owner of Patriot Ice Cream/ Jam N Bean coffee is running for MI House 80.

He has spent YEARS trashing our award winning school district with zero understanding of why public schools struggle. He has actively worked (unsuccessfully) AGAINST the mileage and bonds that help our schools to improve and blames diverse students and an honest approach to this country’s history for the schools difficulties.

A vote for Doug Lee is a vote to ruin our schools and negatively impact our community.

Vote for Lily Cheng-Schulting who works with and for ALL residents of the 80th, not just the straight, white, christian folks"


r/grandrapids • • 4h ago

Apartment Forcing Internet Provider Change

3 Upvotes

I rent with DTN Management at an apartment in GR and they are making everyone switch internet providers and they have a new contract with another company. Everyone currently was choosing their own provider. I do not see any provisions for this in my lease, but could be missing something. They have provided no proper notice with pricing and it is apparently happening in 2 weeks. Has anyone fought this and been successful?


r/grandrapids • • 9h ago

Looking for alternatives to drive through touchless car washes and places with brushes like Mister/Tommy's

7 Upvotes

I just bought a newer vehicle and the previous owner took very good care of it. Paint is in very good shape and while I'd like to get it ceramic coated in the future, it's not possible right now. Would prefer to wash it myself over the winter instead but I haven't found a good option for a self serve place because I haven't found one with heated bays. Maybe they're out there and I just haven't found it yet. Don't have a heated garage so rinseless isn't an option either. For those that avoid touchless and places like Mister, what do you do instead during the winter?


r/grandrapids • • 5h ago

Social selling 2 tickets to night of the living drag this sunday!

Post image
3 Upvotes

plans changed for me and my friend so we’re trying to sell our tickets at the cost we paid for them ($100 for the two)! the circle shows where our seats are. pm me if interested!!!


r/grandrapids • • 23h ago

News $6,000,000 for GR busses.

Thumbnail
michigan.gov
85 Upvotes

The state government has awarded millions of dollars in grant money toward public transportation across Michigan. Grand Rapids set to receive $6,000,000 for up to six new busses.


r/grandrapids • • 13h ago

Retirement home trick-or-treat?

12 Upvotes

I’ve seen lots of trunk-or-treats around town, but are there any trick or treats at retirement homes? We’d love to cheer up some seniors with a cute baby in a costume!


r/grandrapids • • 4h ago

Events Euchre Tournament and Robotics Showcase

2 Upvotes

I don't remember if I posted this before or not.

That ONE Team - Our Next Engineers is a community sponsored FIRST Robotics team that meets at Plainfield and 4 mile. We have a total of 25 teams this year ranging from Kindergarten (with Legos) to High School.

We have a few upcoming events that people might be interested in:

Robotics showcase is a community outreach event where we showcase what our teams are doing this year. The event is free from 1-3pm on October 24th at the Indian Trails camp on Lk Mich. Drive.

There will be a silent auction fundraiser there as well. I know there are many gift cards from local businesses as well as gift baskets and the like.

If you're at all interested in anything to do with FIRST Robotics at all, stop in.

On November 20 at 6pm we are having a Euchre tournament Fundraiser. $25 per person for a night of Euchre, with Dinner included. The winners even get a trophy.

This is the 3rd Annual and has been at capacity for players for the last 2 years. If you like playing Euchre, register and come show off your chops.

Registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZGmrhZn4ByWydblBVO5jWmnjrBj0TmYaWC7LjETesPZP9Tg/viewform

Webpage with details: https://www.thatoneteam.org/events (it is an upcoming event; at posting time it was in the lower right of the pictured events).

Just some background on the team:

  • We are a registered 501(c)3 charity.
  • We are 100% volunteer led (there are no paid positions; all funds go directly into the program)
  • We are not tied to any school districts; we have students from 5 counties that come to our programs
  • We are a student led organization; the students drive everything from robot design to fund raising and social media posting. Mentors are just there to make sure things are done safely.

If you have any more questions, ask or DM. I love talking about the team and FIRST.


r/grandrapids • • 1h ago

I'm coming to town next week for a concert. Any cool spots I should check out while I'm there?

• Upvotes

r/grandrapids • • 1h ago

ISO small business or individual contractors in GR for interior home painting!

• Upvotes

Looking for recent recommendations! Really just looking to have our entire main floor ~800 sq ft painted the same color. Possibly looking to add on painting the kitchen cabinets depending on the estimated quote.


r/grandrapids • • 5h ago

Winterizing rain chains

2 Upvotes

Anyone have recommendations/experience for rain chain winterization? Rain chains are roughly 8-9ft long.


r/grandrapids • • 8h ago

Lost Keys

3 Upvotes

I found a pinkish lanyard with four keys attached sitting next to the rocks on the river walk under the Blue Bridge. The lanyard had a specific phrase on it. I left it with a business, so if these might be yours let me know.


r/grandrapids • • 1d ago

News what is going on next to kendall college??

40 Upvotes

theres like 8+ cop cars, an armored vehicle, and countless firetrucks are there and part of ottawa, fountain, bostwick, and pearl are ALL taped off with scene tape??


r/grandrapids • • 22h ago

Grand rapids tattoo fest Oct 23-25!

Post image
29 Upvotes

r/grandrapids • • 8h ago

Food and Drink Indeed is a wasteland, where else to look for FOH food/bev jobs?

2 Upvotes

Been on the job hunt for a while now as veteran server (sometimes bartender), but Indeed seems to have limited listings (forget about Craigsjoke), so are there any other sites I should be checking out, especially for non-corporate/chain positions? Obviously, a lot of places just rely on walkin applications or referrals, but I'm running thin on those.
--EDIT-- I should have been more specific initially, but I am not going to commute outside Grand Rapids proper/relocate, nor work in catering in any capacity. Yes, at my age, I'm that picky. And I *do* know how to print resumes and drop them off, having been in the field since 2009. ¯_(ツ)_/¯


r/grandrapids • • 9h ago

Recommendations Car insurance recommendations?

2 Upvotes

Does anyone have recommendations for car insurance companies I can look into directly for coverage? We're a low income family that receives SSI and I mainly will use my vehicle for grocery shopping and getting our family to medical appointments. I'm in my 40s and other than two minor speeding tickets over 20 years ago I've had no accidents or claims on my record. A family member just helped us get a mini van but I need insurance now. I am hoping to avoid insurance agents as I know they drive the price up by taking a cut, and like many families we're really struggling right now. I'm also avoiding just going to google.. the results have become rubbish and a few years ago when I put my information in looking for quotes I instantly got non stop calls that completely overwhelmed me. I'm neurodiverse and this entire process is challenge, so I appreciate anyone with some advice that might help make this less stressful. Thank you.


r/grandrapids • • 13h ago

Ludington to-dos

4 Upvotes

Going up to Ludington in late October. We know the town somewhat shuts down but what recommendations do people have for spots to eat (kid friendly), things to do, and any other must-sees. Tried searching the Ludington sub but not much traffic there. Anything else in the area or to hit up on the drive would help too. Thanks all!

edit: thank you everyone for the suggestions - gives me a lot to go off of. i appreciate it!