Looking to make new friends in Bristol? Connect with friendly locals for relaxed meet-ups, walks, coffee chats and shared interests — without the pressure.
Established in 2005, Drinking Partners is one of the UK’s longest-running platforms for meeting new people and making genuine friendships.
Bristol is vibrant and creative, but it can still be hard to meet new people as an adult — especially if your routine is busy or existing circles already feel set. Drinking Partners helps you connect with people nearby who are also open to new friendships.
It’s built for socialising, not dating. Start with a message, find shared interests, and meet up casually when it suits you — a coffee, a walk, or an easy plan in town.
Bristol is lively and creative, but once people settle in, social circles can feel established. It’s a friendly city, yet meeting new people as an adult often works best through everyday plans and shared interests rather than big organised events. Whether you’re based in the City Centre, up in Clifton, around Redland, over in Southville or down towards Bedminster, it’s easy to connect with locals who are also open to making new friends. Many connections start with simple plans — a coffee, a short walk, or trying something local together — the kind of meet-up that feels easy to repeat. Bristol also overlaps with nearby places like Bath, Cardiff, Gloucester and Swindon, so it’s common to meet people who live outside the city but spend time here. Drinking Partners helps you meet people locally and take things one step at a time — no pressure, no expectations, just comfortable connections that fit around real life.
Making friends as an adult can feel awkward — especially in a city like Bristol, where people can seem social but still stick to familiar circles. 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 Bristol or want to widen your circle, it is straightforward to meet local people here.
Follow these steps to connect over shared interests, message freely and plan meet that feel comfortable.
It only takes a few minutes to get started:
To get the most out of Drinking Partners and begin to meet new people in Bristol, follow these simple steps:
Share a short intro about yourself and what you enjoy around Bristol. Pick your interests so locals know how to start the conversation.
Add a recent photo to help people recognise you. Profiles with clear photos get more replies and appear higher in local results.
Use GPS search or filter by neighbourhoods across Bristol to find people nearby. Save your favourite profiles and searches for quick access.
Messaging is free, so say hello to people with similar interests. Swap a few messages to see if you get on and keep the pace relaxed.
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 meeting in a cafe, park or another public place. Group settings, activities and daytime meet keep things relaxed and safe.
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.
Real people in Bristol looking to make new friends right now:
60 years old
Bristol, Bristol City
“easy going single man (not looking for dating,…”
63 years old
Bristol, Bristol City
“Love the outdoors and nature, Absolute ideologist,. Care…”
30 years old
Bristol, Bristol City
“I will write this later, just seeing what's…”
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.
Bristol is full of great coffee spots, and a quick catch-up is one of the easiest first meets — public, relaxed and easy to repeat if you click.
Explore →A stroll around the Harbourside or up to Brandon Hill is an easy first meet — you can keep it short, grab a coffee after if you’re getting on, and it never feels like a “big night out”.
Explore →If you want friendships that stick, routines help. Bristol has loads of classes and fitness options — meeting through a shared habit often feels more natural than a big social event.
Explore →Bristol’s neighbourhoods make it easy to plan something simple — a bite around North Street, a wander in Clifton, or a cinema night — shared plans create easy conversation.
Explore →Answers to common questions about making friends and meeting people in Bristol.
It can be at first — Bristol is friendly, but many people already have routines and circles. The easiest way in is to start small: message a few locals, spot shared interests, and suggest a low-pressure first meet like coffee or a short walk.
Bristol friendships often start locally — coffee, a short walk, classes, or a simple plan in your part of the city (for example around Clifton or North Street). Chatting online first and meeting somewhere public keeps it comfortable.
Coffee, a Harbourside walk, or a casual daytime plan are popular because they’re easy, public and low-pressure. If you’re unsure, keep it short — you can always extend it if you’re getting on.
No. Drinking Partners is for friendship and socialising, not dating. You can meet like-minded people locally, chat first, and take things at your own pace.
Want more tips? Read How to make friends after moving to a new city.
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