Making friends in Nottingham? Meet locals for coffee, park walks, pub quizzes and relaxed plans that fit around work, family and real-life routines.
Established in 2005, Drinking Partners is one of the UK’s longest-running platforms for meeting new people and building genuine friendships.
Nottingham has a lively mix of students and professionals, but that can make friendships feel a bit stop-start as people’s routines change. Drinking Partners helps you find people nearby who are also looking to meet new friends — without the pressure of big groups or organised events.
It’s for socialising, not dating. Start with a chat, find shared interests, and meet up in a relaxed way when it feels right — a coffee, a walk, or a simple plan around the city.
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 Nottingham.
Chat privately first, keep things relaxed, and only arrange a meet-up or group-style plan when you feel ready.
Nottingham blends heritage with a modern social scene, making it easy to meet people without feeling overwhelmed. Around the Lace Market, Hockley and Wollaton, life moves at a comfortable pace. Many here value small, consistent plans — brunch, galleries, park walks — over anything elaborate. New friendships often start simply, through shared interests and steady conversation.
Making friends as an adult can feel awkward — and in Nottingham, different areas can feel like their own little worlds. This keeps it easy: chat first, then meet for something simple and familiar in a public place.
Friendship-first connections, at your pace — no pressure, no big groups.
Whether you have just moved to Nottingham, 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 Nottingham, follow these simple steps:
Share a short intro about yourself, where you are based in or around Nottingham, 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.
Local and practical guides to help you meet people and make new friends without the pressure.
These are people in and around Nottingham who are looking to make new friends. Join free to say hello, browse more members and start chatting at your own pace.
52 years old
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
“Hi there, looking for new friends to socialise…”
66 years old
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
“Looking for friends for day trips out and…”
40 years old
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
“Im 24...i love meeting new people so thought…”
35 years old
Hucknall, Nottinghamshire
“Hey I'm chris 31 looking for friends who…”
67 years old
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
“I'm a widow living Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire borders .Seeking friends…”
52 years old
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
“Hi everyone, im looking for new drinking partners…”
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.
A quick coffee in Nottingham is an easy first plan — city centre, Lace Market, or somewhere near home. It’s relaxed, you can keep it short, and you’ll know quickly if you’d like to meet again.
Explore →A park walk keeps things natural. It’s perfect for first meets because you’re moving, you’ve got plenty to talk about, and it doesn’t feel like a formal sit‑down.
Explore →If you like something with a bit of structure, a quiz or casual evening plan can be a great way to meet. Shared focus makes conversation easier and takes the edge off.
Explore →Friendships stick when plans fit real life — lunch breaks, after-work catch-ups, weekend errands. Keeping it simple makes it easier to build a regular connection.
Explore →Answers to common questions about making friends and meeting people in Nottingham.
It can be, mainly because Nottingham has lots of people coming and going through study and work. The easiest approach is meeting someone nearby and keeping the first plan simple — coffee, a walk, or a casual bite to eat.
No — it’s for meeting new people and making genuine friendships. You can take things slowly, keep it low-pressure, and connect around shared interests rather than dating expectations.
Coffee in town, an Arboretum walk, browsing a market, or a casual lunch are all good first meets. Keep it public, daytime-friendly, and low-pressure.
Yes. There are plenty of people in Nottingham here for work, family life, or just wanting new connections. You can filter, chat, and meet people who are in a similar stage of life.
Yes. Drinking Partners is for friendship and socialising, not dating. In Nottingham, you can use it to chat with local people first, then suggest something simple and public such as coffee around City Centre, Hockley, West Bridgford and Beeston, a walk, lunch or a relaxed daytime catch-up.
Working from home can make it harder to meet people naturally in Nottingham, especially if your week is built around the same few routines. Start with a short message, look for people near City Centre, Hockley, West Bridgford and Beeston, 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 as an adult.
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