Tired of going solo? Here’s how you can make friends in Dubai

• Bond Over A Drink
• Find A Sports Buddy
• Apps To Make Friends In Dubai
• Learn With A New Friend
• Network Or Chat
• FAQs

With Dubai’s abundance of activities and attractions, having the right friend circle can add twice the fun while you make the most of this vibrant city. Sadly, many might find making friends in Dubai outside school or university challenging. It can be even more complicated if you’re a new expat or an introvert who takes time to warm up to new people.

The best way to make friends is to bond over something you have in common. This guide will take you through great ways to make friends in Dubai based on your hobbies and interests. So, whether you are old-school and prefer meeting people in real life or someone who likes to text and share memes online before the meeting, we’ve got you all covered!

Some Handy Tips on Making Friends in Dubai

Fancy a drink with a friend?

It’s not coincidental that some of the wackiest stories come from being at a bar after 11:00 pm and downing too many drinks. So, if you’re looking for a friend to accompany you on bar-hopping escapades and share drinks with, your best bet would be to meet them at a bar.

You’re likelier to meet people at a ‘happening’ bar in Dubai or on special occasions (such as Halloween, Christmas or St. Patricks Day). Here are our best recommendations for making friends in Dubai while indulging in a glass of your favourite drink.

• Head to a bar nearest your house on one of the Gents Nights In Dubai or Ladies Nights In Dubai.
• Visit popular hotspots on Friday evenings for people to chill and book a table. Some places are always packed with people, including Fibber Magee’s on Trade Center Road, Haveli at V Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, and The Stables on Sheikh Zayed Road. 
• Lock Stock and Barrel (JBR, Barsha Heights and Business Bay) and Soho Garden are a good choice for party animals who want to dance and let their hair loose.

Calling all sports enthusiasts

Are you tired of cheering for your favourite team all alone? Whether you’re an athlete who loves hitting the pitch or prefers lounging back and streaming your favourite sport, here are some things you can do to find a friend as sports-obsessed as you.

• Instead of streaming your favourite sport at home, head to one of the sports bars in Dubai on match day to connect with people passionate about the same sport and team as you.
• For example, if you root for the football team Liverpool, visit a sports bar streaming Premier League matches. Then, wear your Liverpool merch during the match and enjoy the game. Doing this can help you catch the eye of fellow Liverpool supporters, sparking the beginning of a friendship.
• If you’re an athlete or want to make a fitness buddy, join a sports coaching programme. Some friendships have originated from tennis and padel courts, so register for a class to start meeting new people.
• Dubai has running clubs such as Adidas Runners or Nike Run, which you can access if you have either of their apps.
• Try ClassPass to be able to enrol in a wide variety of classes, such as yoga or Pilates.
• The gym is also a great place to make friends. If you’re used to working out solo, join one of the many popular residential gyms in Dubai to start meeting new people. You could chat with fellow gym-enthusiasts while swapping weights or trying a move.

Apps to make friends in Dubai

Rather than talking to different people and understanding if they align with you, why not let an app do all the work? Various innovative apps help you find friends by connecting you with people of the same age groups and similar interests.

Let’s look at the most popular apps in Dubai to meet new people.

1. MeetUp: A popular social app in Dubai, MeetUp lets users create and explore events hosted by groups around them. Groups for varied interests include language learning, yoga, sports, cooking, etc. They also have networking groups for budding entrepreneurs and people looking to meet professionals in their industry.
2. Bumble BFF: Bumble offers a “Bumble BFF” search option for people looking to find a friend. Unlike the Bumble dating app, where girls make the first move, Bumble BFF lets you match with people of the same gender. Once both users swipe right on each other, they have 24 hours to initiate a conversation. Failing to do so means the match disappears.
3. Eventbrite: You can locate networking events in Dubai, mainly business mixers, speaking groups and more.
4. Hey! Vina: This one is for the ladies. Hey! Vina is a networking app for women looking for female friends. Users have to add their age and interests upon joining and the app lets you swipe on people from similar age groups and match their interests. When both users swipe right for each other, you chat with them.

Online Communities

Some websites, in addition to apps, allow you to register for events and discussions. Unlike the one-on-one friendships from the above apps, these websites let you join larger, more varied groups. Here are the top recommendations for social group websites you should check out.

1. InterNations: InterNations is a great platform to connect with fellow expats with similar interests. They also host events to unite people, such as movie screenings, bowling, Bachata and Salsa nights, badminton meets and more.
2. Toastmasters: Toastmasters International is an organisation that hosts Toastmasters Clubs for people looking to network and improve their public speaking skills. You can visit their website to browse the clubs based on location and discussion topics.
3. Facebook groups: Here’s how you can meet people who share your interests. There are hiking groups, gym enthusiasts, women’s groups, and more in Dubai. Just go to the Groups tab on Facebook, set your location to Dubai and search for the groups that fit your criteria.
4. Adventurati: This is another excellent platform to connect with fellow adventure seekers looking to join outdoor activities. Along with hiking trips to Wadi Showka or Jebel Jais in the UAE, they plan international trips such as skiing in Georgia, scaling Mount Kilimanjaro and trekking in Nepal.

Gamers Unite!

Are you looking for friends in Dubai outside your online gaming lobby? You might not be alone.

If you’re looking for friends who are enthusiastic about gaming, a great place to start is old-school gaming centres around the city. There are multiple gaming arenas in Dubai, including VR arenas, gaming lounges, arcades and more, where gaming enthusiasts come together to play.

We recommend following the social media pages of gaming lounges in Dubai to stay updated on their latest events and tournaments. Participating in a gaming tournament is a great way to meet and socialise with fellow gamers, and it also opens the doors to being invited to more gaming events.

Volunteer and make friends in Dubai

What if your quest for friendship can make the world a better place?
There are several volunteering opportunities in Dubai – such as charity drives, beach cleans, animal shelters, etc. – for which many expats come together to make a mark. While volunteering, you can meet people who enjoy helping the less fortunate and doing their bit for the community.

Unleash the learning (and the friendships)

Bonding over learning a new skill hits differently. Not only are you challenging yourself, but you are also seeing a part of another person that is usually hidden.

The best classes where you can make friends involve hands-on skills or require collaboration and teamwork.

Here are our recommendations for hobby ideas for Dubai residents where you can meet people.

1. If you’re looking for an outlet to inspire the Masterchef in you, join a cooking class in Dubai. These classes offer certificates and diplomas, and you can meet people as passionate about food and cooking as you. And let’s face it—cooking can get a little messy. Laughing over cooking mishaps and discussing food hacks together would be fun.
2. Register for a sewing class in Dubai and meet people seeking fashion’s intricacies. There are many sewing classes, such as dressmaking, quilting, embroidery, etc. Choose a niche that speaks to you and connect with people unleashing their creativity in these classes.
3. When you learn a language with a friend, you encourage each other to learn new phrases together. Practising a language can also be great for bonding with a new person, as you discuss one topic after another in a foreign tongue. Join a language class in Dubai near you and meet new people. Check out our guides to French classes in Dubai and Arabic classes in Dubai to kick off your learning journey.
4. If you’re into unconventional learning, try one of the workshops for activities like pottery, candle-making, ceramic painting, etc in Dubai where you can meet creative individuals just like you, with an eye for art.

Attend an event to network or chat

What better way to make friends in Dubai than attending events, where the focus is conversations and networking? Here are some ideas:

• Try one of Dubai’s book clubs, where you can chat with fellow book worms about a book you’ve all read. The most active book club we would recommend is the Emirates Literature Foundation Book Club, who meet up often to discuss books by authors who will be attending the Emirates Literature Festival. Another excellent option is The Gloss, which requires a paid membership but can be fun to meet.
• Use the MeetUp app to discover new networking events in the city
• Is theatre and acting your thing? Check out public events or workshops by @dubaidramagroup on Instagram – their acting workshops are super fun. You can also attend one of their plays and connect with fellow theatre connoisseurs.

FAQs

Are there any restrictions on joining social apps?

You must be above 18 to join Bumble, MeetUp and Hey! Vina.

What are the best things to do as a group in Dubai?

Once you have assembled your squad, your next challenge is finding a place to hang out together. We recommend checking out the best restaurants in Dubai for group dining with bigger seating spaces and various dishes.

You could also explore Dubai’s board game cafes, which usually accommodate large groups and have a selection of games to keep everyone entertained.

Although you’ll need to get outside your comfort zone, making friends in Dubai isn’t as daunting as it may seem. As expats, there are many shared experiences that you can bond over. We suggest starting slow and talking to your colleagues at work and your neighbours from your apartment. All it takes is the right mindset to overcome homesickness and meet new people.

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