Want to meet new people but don't like bars

[Shookone88]

I am anxious to get out and meet new people, maybe even find 'the one', but I don't know where to go. I've been to a few gay bars/clubs but I generally don't like being around people that have been drinking, and I don't drink, I feel out of place. I wish there was someplace quiet and relaxing to meet other guys. Maybe a gay cafe or club, I'm not sure..I don't like looking online that much..It seems like everyone online has an agenda.

I am 22 and attracted to mature men 45+

I'm in the austin, tx area if that helps. Or if you have any other suggestions/stories that would be good too.

Thanks for your help

 

[GaGaloo]

You could try volunteering at some sort of organization that caters towards gay people.

 

[Kirbster66]

Look for gay groups in your area at meetup.com. I've just joined 2 local groups and am hoping to meet more people. Beyond the social aspect, who knows, you just might meet "the one."

 

[USEDCAR]

Look for gay gyms and stuff

walk around downtown

 

[Ipiitb]

Being new here I’m not sure if its ok to refer to other sites, but there are several “hook-up” sites out there.

Place an ad, be adamant that you are not looking to hook-up but looking for new friends and see what type of response you get.

In my area I have met a lot of new friends that way, and some hook-ups too. LOL

You know what they say… Sex is the gay handshake

 

[unloadonme]

Does this help?:

http://www.statesman.com/specialreports/content/specialreports/gaysurvey/3resources.html

 

[ericwhitney]

my all time best places for finding boyfriends (not hook-ups)
1. church.
2. museum - approach a guy who is looking at an artwork and make a comment. invite him to go over and check out another gallery together.

 

[JUB]

Being new here I’m not sure if its ok to refer to other sites, but there are several “hook-up” sites out there.

Place an ad, be adamant that you are not looking to hook-up but looking for new friends and see what type of response you get.

In my area I have met a lot of new friends that way, and some hook-ups too. LOL

You know what they say… Sex is the gay handshake

Welcome to JUB. You can refer to other sites, that is no problem at all. Enjoy the site.

Mark

 

[Chadknowslaw]

Does this help?:

http://www.statesman.com/specialreports/content/specialreports/gaysurvey/3resources.html

Lists like this one are the BEST place to start! Most cities will have similar lists of more things to do and groups to join than one person could possibly do.

Getting involved in groups like bowling leagues, hiking/running/swimming groups, car/motorcycle/scooter clubs, political groups, square dancers or book clubs are some of the best ways to meet a lot of people in a comfortable setting. You can get to know somebody through the group activities and go from there. Also, once you make friends in those groups, you will end up meeting _their_ friends and your circle really starts expanding. Let's say you join a bowling league. Over a few weeks of bowling every Tuesday night, you meet 50 new guys. One of the guys on your team has a birthday party at his house and invites all the teammates, including you. At his birthday party are another 20 guys you have never met. You strike up a conversation with a nice enough fellow you have no interest in sexually and find that you have a common interest in art. He is part of an art appreciation club and invites you to join, where you meet 10 more new guys.

Places that I or my close friends met boyfriends:

Birthday party at a pizza joint
Neighborhood potluck (seriously --it can happen)
Swimming club
Professional conference
community education Spanish class at a local community college
Working on a political campaign

The best thing you can do is get out and get involved, take time and get to know some guys.

 

[Treborf]

If you're into sports, you can try some of the gay sports clubs. I know Austin has a gay running club, a gay soccer team, and a new basketball league that also has pickup games.

If youre not into sports, you could look up local gay events and try your luck there. For example, I think there's an AIDS walk at the capital in a couple of weeks. You could try volunteering for something like that.

Also, you could try going to bars at off-hours when everyone isn't getting sloshed. 'Bout Time has volleyball on Sunday afternoons and it's a lot more laid-back than the normal bar atmosphere.