You've made it to Amsterdam. The canals are beautiful, the bikes are everywhere, and you're starting to wonder why everyone warned you about the weather. But there's one thing nobody quite prepares you for: making friends as an adult in a new country.
It's not that people aren't friendly here. They are. It's just that Dutch social circles tend to be established early and stay tight. Breaking in takes effort. And when you're juggling a new job, a new flat, and learning that "gezellig" is somehow both untranslatable and essential, building a social life can feel like yet another mountain to climb.
That's where social clubs come in. Not networking events where everyone's collecting LinkedIn connections. Real communities where people show up week after week because they genuinely want to be there. Here are some of the best ones for expats in Amsterdam.
Language & Integration
Learning Dutch is hard. But it's a lot easier when you're practising with actual humans instead of just Duolingo's passive-aggressive owl.
Amsterdam Language Cafe hosts casual conversation exchanges where you can practise languages with locals and internationals over coffee. No pressure, no tests, just chatting in a relaxed atmosphere.
Mingle Community takes a different approach: learn Dutch while actually making friends. Their language events and social hangouts are designed specifically for internationals who want to master the language and build a social circle at the same time.
Sports & Fitness
Nothing bonds people faster than shared suffering. Or in Amsterdam's case, shared cycling in horizontal rain.
Amsterdam Coffee Run combines two Dutch essentials: running and coffee. Casual pace, caffeine stops, and good company every time. Perfect if you want to stay active without taking yourself too seriously.
Midnight Runners is for the night owls. Run the city after dark with music, movement, and an energetic crew. There's something special about seeing Amsterdam lit up at night while you're getting your kilometres in.
Bambas Sports Club is where movement meets connection. Weekly community runs, yoga sessions, and parties. They describe themselves as "common ground for the playful and curious" and honestly, that sums it up perfectly.
Padel and Pastries does exactly what it says. Play padel, eat delicious pastries. Sometimes the best clubs are the simplest ones.
Indoor Cliff Diving is for the adrenaline seekers. Learn to dive, flip and fly at Amsterdam's tower pool, from zero to ten metres. Not for the faint-hearted, but definitely memorable.
Social & Women's Groups
Sometimes you just want to find your people. These clubs make that easier.
Amsterdam Girlies is a women's community covering book clubs, matcha dates, and fitness classes. If you're looking for your Amsterdam girl gang, this is where to start.
Girls Got Game Club takes a more intimate approach. Built specifically for introverts, they match groups of four women for IRL events. Small groups, less overwhelming, more meaningful connections.
Amsterdam Founders Club is for the entrepreneurs. A private member club with monthly masterminds, networking events, and real connections for founders who move fast. If you're building something, these are your people.
Creative & Arts
Amsterdam has always attracted creatives. These clubs tap into that energy.
Amsterdam DIY Club runs hands-on crafting workshops where you make bag charms, key charms, and creative keepsakes to take home. Perfect if you want to make something with your hands and meet people while doing it.
NEST Aquarel Atelier offers watercolour workshops for all skill levels. Paint, sip, and unwind in a cosy creative space. No experience necessary.
Charina Craft Club is a bring-your-own-crafts club. Whatever you're working on, bring it along and craft alongside others. Sometimes the best creative sessions are the ones with no agenda.
Food & Culture
Food brings people together. That's universal.
Masala Story hosts Indian supper clubs where spices meet stories. Authentic flavours, cultural connection, and community around every dish. If you love food that tells a story, this is the one.
Books & Entertainment
For when you want connection with a bit less cardio.
Pages Amsterdam is perfect if you're new to the city and love books. Good reads, good people, low barrier to entry.
Easy Laughs hosts comedy nights that bring people together through laughter. Stand-up, improv, and good times guaranteed. Because sometimes you just need to laugh.
Finding Your Club
Here's what I've learned about joining clubs as an expat: the first session will feel awkward. That's normal. Everyone there was new once. Give it at least three tries before you decide it's not for you.
And don't try to do everything at once. Pick one or two that genuinely interest you. Consistency beats variety when you're trying to build real connections. The people you'll see every week become the people you grab coffee with outside of club time.
Amsterdam can feel like a hard city to crack socially. But it doesn't have to be. These clubs exist because other people felt the same way you do now. They wanted community. They built it. And they're waiting for you to join.
Browse all clubs on Weeknights and find the one that fits.
Joe Co-founder, Weeknights