Amsterdam is incredible, but making friends here? That's a different story. When you're new to a city, building genuine connections takes time and intention.
I've been here long enough to know that being in a new place means starting from scratch socially. Sure, people are friendly. But friendly and becoming actual friends are very different things.
This is where social clubs come in. Not the stuffy kind. I mean spaces where people gather around something they actually care about. Whether you've been here four weeks or four years, these are the places where connection happens more naturally.
So where do you actually find these clubs?
Honestly, it's scattered all over the place. Which is partly why we built Weeknights (yes, shameless plug, but hear me out). We wanted one place where you could see what's happening this week: book clubs, tennis groups, cooking classes, whatever. Without having to dig through seventeen different platforms.
But Weeknights isn't the only option. Amsterdam's Meetup scene is surprisingly alive. You'll find language exchanges, hiking groups, tech meetups, random niche interests you didn't know existed. Look for groups with consistent attendance rather than 5,000 members and tumbleweeds at actual events.
Then there are the community centres. Pakhuis de Zwijger, De Nieuwe Liefde, and various neighbourhood spots. These tend to attract people who actually live nearby, which is ideal if you're trying to build a life in your buurt rather than constantly biking across the city.
Sports clubs are huge here. Tennis, hockey, rowing, football. There's genuinely something for everyone. They're more structured than other social clubs, which can be good or bad depending on what you're after. But they're solid for consistent face time with the same people.
And yes, Facebook groups still exist and still work. Search "Amsterdam [your interest]" and you'll probably find something. Engagement varies wildly, but it's free and you can lurk before committing to anything.
Picking something that won't make you miserable
That pottery class in Noord sounds amazing until you're cycling 45 minutes in the rain on a Tuesday evening. Location matters way more than you think it will. Choose things that are actually convenient for your life.
Also, be honest about your energy levels. Do you want structured activities where someone tells you what to do? Or loose hang-out vibes where you just chat? Both are valid. Pick the one that matches your social battery capacity.
And commitment levels vary a lot. Some clubs meet weekly, others monthly, some are drop-in whenever. Think about what you'll actually maintain before signing up for something that meets every Wednesday at 7pm without fail.
The hard part (actually showing up)
Finding clubs is easy. Showing up is where most people, including me, fail.
Here's what's worked for me: make a deal with yourself to attend one session. Just one. If it's terrible, you never have to return. But weirdly often, "I'll try it once" turns into "This is now my Tuesday thing."
That said, one session isn't really enough to judge. Everyone's awkward the first time. I'd give it three sessions before deciding it's not for you. And lower your expectations. You probably won't meet your new best friend at your first book club. You're just building up your social muscle, and that takes time.
What I've learned about finding people in Amsterdam
It takes effort. You have to be intentional. You have to show up even when you're tired. You have to make small talk with strangers (which, as a Brit, feels like a personal attack every time).
But everyone you see at these clubs? They showed up for the same reason you did. They wanted connection. They were willing to be uncomfortable for it.
Social clubs aren't perfect. Some will be cliquey. Some will fizzle out after three weeks. Some will be exactly what you needed at exactly the right time. The point isn't to find the perfect club. It's to find your club. To build a life here that feels full because you have spaces where you genuinely belong.
So pick something. One club. One evening this week. Don't overthink it. Just go. (And yeah, you can browse what's happening on Weeknights if you need somewhere to start.)
Joe Co-founder, Weeknights