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How to Make Friends in Wichita

One of the most frequent questions we receive (and one of the most reposted questions on Reddit) is how to meet people or make friends in Wichita?

I grew up here. I know Wichita can be a hard place to make new friends. There are a lot of well-established friend groups that can feel hard to tap into.

After the high school or college days are over, where you’re forced into interactions with others and naturally find things you are into with others into those same things, you are out in the real world and it really is tough.

Outside of work and maybe church, where do you meet people?

We can all agree it is hard to make friends, and also can feel weird (it isn’t, but it feels that way.)

Wichita has what can be called that midwest hospitality (Kansas is the midwest, Ohio isn’t, but that is a conversation for another day). For the most part, people are friendly and we want to take the hard part out of brainstorming where or how to meet people with a (likely ever-growing) guide to making friends in Wichita.

Whether you’re young, old, or anywhere in between, we hope you can find something below.

Wichita Life

First things first, if you’re reading this, you are already among a community with similar interests! You love Wichita, or at least care enough to read a little about your town.

Dinner Club

Once a month (for now, maybe more frequently in the future), we host a dinner club where you are matched with 5 others of similar interests, meet up at a restaurant (revealed the morning of) and then maybe convene with dozens of others at a to be determined location after the fact to continue the conversation.

• Our next one is next Tuesday, January 13th! Sign up today before spots fill up. We are getting close to tapped out.

Book Clubs

Books are a timeless way to make friends.

• Watermark Books has various clubs such as Classic Book Club, French Book Club, Hot & Popular and many more.

• Wichita Public Library has several as well as Read ICT.

Fitness

There is no bond like the bond of a good workout. I am likely missing a lot, so let me know!

Run Clubs

Run clubs have always existed, but have had a resurgence lately. Here a few to choose from, each with their own quirks, schedule, and more:

• F88 Run Club

• Run 316

• Elite Running Club

• Exploration Place Park Run

• Run Wichita

Gyms

Some people love to lift weights, others love to bike. Wichita has amazing gyms for whatever you might like.

• We Ride

• Bungee Fit

• Orangetheory Fitness

• Yoga - Unity Studio (immersive), Serene Lotus, Limitless Yoga Studio, Hot Asana- What am I missing?

• Pilates & Barre - BODYBAR Pilates, Pure Barre, Club Pilates

• YMCA - dance classes, cardio dance, group exercise, and more

• Climbing - Bliss Climbing, Kansas Cliff Club, North and West YMCA

Sports

• Pickleball Clubs

  • City of Wichita

  • Wichita Pickleball Facebook Group (4000+ members)

  • Leagues at Chicken n Pickle & Tap N Paddles

• Martial Arts

  • There are a lot, but to name a few Valor, JMTK, Fox Fitness

• Bowling Leagues

• Wichita Parks & Rec for classes, other leagues like Volleyball, Kickball, & More

• Wichita Disc Golf (3800+ members)

• Wichita Ultimate (frisbee) Federation

• Skating - Adult Skate Night at Carousel Skate or Ice Skating at Wichita Ice Center

Gaming

Many a friend can be found around a game board…or a computer… or a chessboard…or trivia. Here are a few places and options.

• Wichita Board Game Group (1000+ members on Facebook)

• Headshots Bar is a gamer friendly place and a great place to start.

• Wizard’s Alley - Geek Store & Gaming Tavern

• One Drop Game Shop (specializing in Magic the Gathering)

• Wichita Chess Coop

• Trivia Nights - This is probably outdated, but let me know what is incorrect or missing!

Arts

Wichita has a vibrant arts scene. Arts of all kinds.

Music

There is a lot to offer in town when it comes to music. I would recommend checking a few of these places.

• Catch a Show at Barleycorn’s, Kirby’s, Wave or many others

• Tribal Roots is one of the more unique places in town

• Vinyl Clubs like ICT Vinyl Club or the Wichita Area Vinyl Enthusiasts Facebook Group

• Find your people at Somewhere Works

Arts

• First Friday Gallery Crawl

• MakeICT

• RECreate

• Art Classes - Wichita Art Museum, Mark Arts, City Arts, Karg Glassblowing

• Painting - Paint the Towne, Color me Mine

• Wichita Sketch Club

• Performing Arts

  • Flying Pig Improv

Young Adults

• ICT YA Hangouts

• W - A Community of Young Professionals

Ladies & Gents

• ICT Social Club for the ladies

• F3 (Fitness, Fellowship, Faith) for the gentlemen

Volunteer

Volunteering is an easy, low pressure way to meet people.

• Humane Society - In general, Events like Woofstock

• Food Bank

• Volunteer for races - Prairie Fire, any of the other 5ks / marathons

• Cowtown

• Sedgwick County Zoo

• Botanica

Professional / Business / Entrepreneuerial

There are a ton of groups that fit in this space, but it is a great way to meet people who can become friends. I have made a ton of friends this way.

• Wichita Independent Business Association

• 1 Million Cups

• Rotary Clubs

• Junior League of Wichita for Women Leadership

• DevICT

• Coworking Spaces like Groover Labs, The Hive or Commerce Club

Well, what do you think? Did you find somewhere where you might want to make friends?

What do you want to see us go deep on in a future deep dive?

Let us know!