London is easy to be lonely in. The city is huge, people move often, and a night out with strangers rarely turns into anything. What works is repeat contact in small groups, ideally around something you both care about.
Why one-off nights rarely work
Crowded bars and big events reward people who are already confident, and the conversations are rarely memorable. Familiarity does the real work. When you see the same people at the same class or event week after week, small talk turns into real conversation without anyone forcing it.
So the aim is not to find the best event in London. It is to find one thing you will do more than three times.
Classes where you move
Group fitness is one of the better settings for meeting people. You share the effort, you are all a little out of your depth together, and there is a natural chat afterwards. Current want member perks include:
- Two group sessions for £10
- Your first dance fitness class free
- Your first aikido class free
- Free or pay-what-you-want community mat class
Workshops where you make something
Making things side by side, whether that is pottery, cooking or crafts, gives you something to look at other than each other. Workshop groups also tend to be small, so you will learn names quickly.
- 20% off creative workshops when you book direct
- 10% off all workshops
- 10% off all culinary experiences
Walks, tours and a good night out
Guided walks and bike tours attract curious people who like London, which is already a start. Comedy and arts evenings are looser but still give you shared material to talk about afterwards.
- 10% off guided bike tours and mountain bike experiences
- 10% off any scheduled walking tour
- 10% off early bird tickets to the London Alcohol-Free Comedy Club
- Stay after the recital to meet the artists
Slower, calmer ways to meet people
Not everyone wants a high-energy evening. Silence sessions, sound baths and yoga classes attract people who value quiet, and a friend-comes-free offer makes bringing someone easy.
- A free drop-in silence session on Fridays
- 20% off any class or gong bath, in person or online
- Half price first class, and a friend comes free
Perks come from partner venues and may change. The want app shows how to claim each one.
Habits that turn an activity into connections
- Pick one day and one place, and keep turning up.
- Arrive ten minutes early. The easiest conversations happen before things start.
- Ask one real question rather than "What do you do?".
- Suggest a coffee after the third visit, not the first.
- Go alone sometimes. It makes you far more approachable than arriving in a pair.
Where want helps
want is a London app for dating and friendship. Instead of swiping, you receive introductions with the reasons behind them, so you already know why you might get on. The venue perks sit alongside that: use them to meet someone you have been introduced to, or just to give yourself a reason to go out.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in London to meet people?
Anything regular and shared: a weekly class, a workshop series, a walking group or a local comedy night. Seeing the same faces repeatedly does more than a one-off big night out.
How do I meet people in London if I am shy?
Choose an activity with a built-in focus, such as pottery, a fitness class or a guided tour. You have something to say from the first minute, and nobody expects you to work the room.
Is it easier to meet people in London through apps or in person?
Both work, and they work best together. In person gives you chemistry and routine, while an app such as want gives you an introduction and a reason to talk before you meet.
Are the want perks free?
The perks are included for want members. Each venue sets its own offer, from a free first class to a percentage off the bill, and the app shows the terms.