Looking to make new friends in Durham? From the City Centre to Elvet and Gilesgate, this page helps you meet local people for simple, comfortable first meet‑ups.
Established in 2005, Drinking Partners is one of the UK’s longest‑running platforms for meeting new people and building genuine friendships.
Durham has a close-knit feel, but adult routines can still make meeting new people surprisingly hard. Whether you’re local, working nearby or new to the area, it’s easy to move between the same places and still not expand your social circle.
Drinking Partners gives you a simple way to meet people nearby who are open to new connections. Chat first, then meet locally for an easy plan when it suits you.
Create a free profile, browse nearby people and say hello when someone sounds like your kind of person.
Meet people for coffee, walks, cinema, lunch, gigs or relaxed everyday plans around Durham.
Chat privately first, keep things relaxed, and only arrange a meet-up or group-style plan when you feel ready.
Making friends across Durham often works best with simple plans that suit the city’s pace. A coffee in the centre, a walk by the River Wear, or a relaxed catch‑up around Elvet or Neville’s Cross keeps things comfortable. Start with a short, public first meet, then follow up with another easy plan if you click. Meeting locally makes it far more likely you’ll see each other again — and repeat meet‑ups are what turn a chat into a real friendship.
Making friends as an adult can feel awkward — especially when everyday routines in Durham are already set. Drinking Partners keeps things simple, relaxed and pressure-free, without the need for large groups or organised events.
Take things at your own pace and connect in a way that feels comfortable for you.
Whether you have just moved to Durham, work from home, or simply want to widen your social circle, Drinking Partners helps you find people nearby and start relaxed local conversations.
Follow these steps to connect over shared interests, message freely and plan meet-ups that feel comfortable, public and pressure-free.
It only takes a few minutes to get started:
To get the most out of Drinking Partners and begin to meet new people in Durham, follow these simple steps:
Share a short intro about yourself, where you are based in or around Durham, and the kinds of relaxed plans you enjoy — coffee, walks, cinema, fitness, lunch or weekend catch-ups.
Add a recent photo to help people recognise you. Profiles with clear photos feel more trustworthy, get more replies and appear higher in local results.
Use GPS search or filter by nearby areas to find people close to you. Save your favourite profiles and searches so it is easy to return to promising local matches.
Messaging is free, so say hello to people with similar interests. Mention a simple local plan you would enjoy and swap a few messages before arranging anything in person.
Set alerts for new people near you, message reads and profile views. Pause notifications or hide your profile whenever you need a break.
When you are ready, suggest a simple public meet-up such as coffee, a daytime walk, a casual lunch, cinema trip or another relaxed plan somewhere you both feel comfortable.
A quick call or video chat first can help break the ice and make meeting up feel natural. You’re always in control — choose who you talk to, take things at your own pace, and only meet when you’re comfortable.
Short, practical guides to help you meet people and make new friends without the pressure.
These are people in and around Durham who are looking to make new friends. Join free to say hello, browse more members and start chatting at your own pace.
25 years old
Durham, County Durham
“Shy and generally introverted, not too fond of…”
38 years old
Durham, County Durham
“Hi, I'm Donna. My background is in sociology…”
55 years old
Durham, County Durham
“hi all....im a 40 year old hardworking single…”
There’s no single way to make friends — people connect in all sorts of everyday ways.
Pick an idea and start a conversation that suits you.
Choose an easy outdoor meet where conversation flows naturally and you can keep the timing flexible. Meeting somewhere open and familiar helps take the edge off and makes it simple to suggest a second catch‑up if you get on.
Explore →A short meet in Durham’s City Centre works well — easy to get to and comfortable for a first chat. Keeping it central and time‑boxed makes it feel low‑effort, and it’s simple to meet again if the conversation flows.
Explore →Meet in the centre and keep it light: a wander through Durham Market Place, a stroll by the River Wear, or a quick stop around the Cathedral area before a chat. A simple ‘do‑something’ plan gives you built‑in conversation starters and keeps it easy.
Explore →If you’re meeting in the evening, pick somewhere comfortable in the centre where it’s easy to chat. A calm venue keeps things simple and lets you focus on conversation without the pressure of a loud, hectic night.
Explore →Answers to common questions about making friends and meeting people in Durham.
Yes. Durham is well suited to calm, local meet‑ups. Keeping plans simple — coffee, walks and relaxed meals — makes it easier to meet again and build real friendships.
Common first meets include cafés in the City Centre and walking routes by the River Wear, plus neighbourhood spots around Elvet and Neville’s Cross. Public, familiar places keep things comfortable.
Absolutely. Many people prefer one‑to‑one plans rather than events. Drinking Partners lets you chat first, then arrange a simple local meet‑up when you’re ready.
It’s designed for meeting people and making friends. Many members simply want local company and social connection without dating expectations.
Yes. Drinking Partners is for friendship and socialising, not dating. In Durham, you can use it to chat with local people first, then suggest something simple and public such as coffee around City Centre, Elvet, Gilesgate and Neville’s Cross, a walk, lunch or a relaxed daytime catch-up.
Working from home can make it harder to meet people naturally in Durham, especially if your week is built around the same few routines. Start with a short message, look for people near City Centre, Elvet, Gilesgate and Neville’s Cross, and suggest an easy plan that fits your day, such as a lunchtime coffee, after-work walk or weekend catch-up.
Want more tips? Read How to make friends after moving to a new city.
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