Come Alone by Meet & Mint Events you can go to on your own

Not a date · Bologna

Meet people in Bologna without a dating app.

Swiping can feel like a second job. 125 events in Bologna over the coming weeks ask for none of it: you arrive, join in, and nobody is on a date.

See this week's picks How to go alone

Picks

Tonight and this week in Bologna nobody on a date

Six upcoming events, soonest first, free ones preferred and a mix of categories. Check the official page before you go.

Tue17Nov
Free
CultureBologna
17:00–18:30

Book talk Il nome della cosa, Biblioteca dell'Archiginnasio, Bologna

Biblioteca dell'Archiginnasio, Sala dello Stabat Mater

On Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 17:00 the Sala dello Stabat Mater of the Biblioteca dell'Archiginnasio in Bologna hosts the presentation of the book Il nome della cosa by Marco Riccòmini, published by La nave di Teseo in 2026. Massimo Pulini presents it together with the author. The listing describes the book as a curious and refined journey through an almost vanished vocabulary, the names of objects that once filled elegant homes, with about seventy entries on obsolete words from furniture and the decorative arts. Riccòmini is an art historian and expert on the antiques market, and he worked for more than ten years at Christie's, where he headed the Old Masters department. Entry is free, with booking compulsory. A book presentation like this is easy to attend alone, because the audience comes for the conversation and the library setting invites quiet curiosity rather than company. «Massimo Pulini presenta insieme all’autore il libro Il nome della cosa di Marco Riccòmini» Starts 17:00, ends about 18:30. Source: Comune di Bologna — Eventi, Bologna Agenda Cultura (opendata.comune.bologna.it, CC BY 4.0). The listing gives no end time, so the end shown is estimated. The listing states free entry with compulsory booking.

Official page ↗See who's going in Meet & Mint
Tue17Nov
Free
CultureBologna
18:30–20:00

Book launch L'inverno è dei forti, Libreria Modo Infoshop, Bologna

Libreria Modo Infoshop

On Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 18:30 Libreria Modo Infoshop in Bologna presents the book L'inverno è dei forti by Jacopo Zonca, published by readforblind in 2026. The listing says the story follows Nicola Valli, who leaves Viprello for Rome to chase his dream of becoming a film director. When his first film seems close to reality, a family matter forces him back to his home town, where a struggling family, an uncertain future and an old friend, Marta, wait for him. To face a night they both tried to forget, Nicola turns the past into a documentary about 2011, when as teenagers they joined a rock band led by a charismatic man. The author was born in Parma in 1991, studied cinema and then acting, and this is his first novel. The event is free. No end time is given, so about an hour and a half is assumed. A book presentation is easy to attend alone, since everyone is there to listen and talk about the book. «Presentazione del libro L'inverno è dei forti di Jacopo Zonca (readforblind, 2026)» Starts 18:30, ends about 20:00. Source: Comune di Bologna — Eventi, Bologna Agenda Cultura (opendata.comune.bologna.it, CC BY 4.0). The listing gives no end time, so the end shown is estimated. The listing marks the event as free and names Libreria MODO Infoshop as the promoter.

Official page ↗See who's going in Meet & Mint
Wed18Nov
Free
LearningBologna
09:30–13:30

STRONG(HER), Empatica Festival panel, Archiginnasio, Bologna

Biblioteca dell'Archiginnasio | Sala dello Stabat Mater

On Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 09:30 the Sala dello Stabat Mater of the Biblioteca dell'Archiginnasio in Bologna hosts the panel STRONG(HER) - Il lavoro può fare la differenza, part of the second Empatica Festival organised by the Associazione MondoDonna. The panel looks at how economic and working independence supports women leaving violence, and what role businesses can play. Speakers include a professor of labour law at the University of Udine, officials of the Metropolitan City of Bologna and the head of the MondoDonna anti-violence centre, followed by a round table led by the journalist Alessandra Testa with representatives of companies such as Ducati, SIT and Conad. The session runs from 09:30 to 13:30. Entry is free but booking is compulsory. A panel like this is easy to attend alone, because listeners are there for the same discussion and the breaks leave room to meet others. «L’autonomia economica e lavorativa rappresenta un elemento fondamentale nei percorsi di fuoriuscita dalla violenza» Starts 09:30, ends about 13:30. Source: Comune di Bologna — Eventi, Bologna Agenda Cultura (opendata.comune.bologna.it, CC BY 4.0). The listing gives free entry with compulsory booking and a time of 09:30 to 13:30.

Official page ↗See who's going in Meet & Mint
Wed18Nov
Free
CultureBologna
19:00–20:30

Coreografie dell'abitare book talk, Libreria Modo Infoshop, Bologna

Libreria Modo Infoshop

On Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 19:00 Libreria Modo Infoshop in Bologna hosts the presentation of Coreografie dell'abitare by Roberta Da Soller, published by Bulzoni in 2026. The author discusses it with Eva Geatti and Viviana Gravano. The listing says the book treats dwelling as an active, bodily and political practice through which social relations and access to space are shaped. Drawing on performance studies, architecture and feminist and queer theory, it uses choreography as a critical lens on the relations between bodies, objects and buildings. It moves from feminist experiments in rebuilding the environment in London in the 1970s and 1980s to artistic work in Downtown Manhattan and choreographic practice in Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Roberta Da Soller is a researcher, film actress and performer based around Venice, with a doctorate from the IUAV University. The event is free. No end time is given, so about an hour and a half is assumed. A talk like this is easy to attend alone, since the room gathers around one conversation. «Presentazione del libro Coreografie dell'abitare di Roberta Da Soller (Bulzoni, 2026).» Starts 19:00, ends about 20:30. Source: Comune di Bologna — Eventi, Bologna Agenda Cultura (opendata.comune.bologna.it, CC BY 4.0). The listing gives no end time, so the end shown is estimated. The listing marks the event as free and names Libreria MODO Infoshop as the promoter.

Official page ↗See who's going in Meet & Mint
Sat21Nov
Free
MusicBologna
21:00–22:30

Free choir night: alpine songs meet pop a cappella

Chiesa di Santa Cristina della Fondazza

Four choirs, from traditional mountain-song ensembles to pop a cappella groups, share the stage in the church of Santa Cristina della Fondazza for the feast of Saint Cecilia. Entry is free and the evening supports a women's rights association. A festive, community atmosphere makes it easy to come alone.

Official page ↗See who's going in Meet & Mint
Wed25Nov
Free
SocialBologna
10:00–13:00

Presidio Refugia, bonfire and readings, Villa Mazzacorati, Bologna

Villa Mazzacorati

On Wednesday 25 November 2026 at 10:00 Villa Mazzacorati in Bologna hosts Presidio Refugia, the opening gathering of the REFUGIA 2026 neighbourhood festival, which the listing calls 16 days of activism. Held on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the morning centres on a bonfire lit in front of the villa as a symbolic flame. The listing says it is accompanied by readings, a collection of phrases left by passers-by and workshops with local residents. The same morning also brings the first meeting of Senza dote: un corredo collettivo, a subversive weaving and crochet workshop run by Collettivo Rosole, open to anyone who wants to add to a shared fabric made by many hands. The gathering runs from 10:00 to 13:00 and participation is free. The organisers are Selene Centro Studi and Ekodanza. A morning like this is easy to join alone, since people drop in, read, talk and take part at their own pace. «una fiamma simbolo, accompagnata da letture, raccolta delle frasi lasciate dai passanti e laboratori con i cittadini» Starts 10:00, ends about 13:00. Source: Comune di Bologna — Eventi, Bologna Agenda Cultura (opendata.comune.bologna.it, CC BY 4.0). The listing says participation is free and the event runs from 10:00 to 13:00.

Official page ↗See who's going in Meet & Mint

Formats

Where you talk without pressure

These formats give you a task or a topic, so you never have to open with small talk. Pages for Bologna:

  • Game nights: The game gives your hands something to do and everyone something to talk about. (all cities; nothing for Bologna yet)
  • Padel and pickleball: Doubles games where partners rotate, so one session puts you on court with several different people. (all cities; nothing for Bologna yet)
  • Walk and talk: Walking side by side is easier than sitting face to face. (all cities; nothing for Bologna yet)
  • Book clubs and silent reading in Bologna: Either you discuss one book, or nobody has to talk at all.
  • Library nights in Bologna: Free, low-key programmes in a place where it is normal to be alone.
  • Answers for Bologna: short answers to common questions about going out alone, with names and dates.

How to go alone

Five steps for your first time

  1. Start with one hosted event; "Book talk Il nome della cosa, Biblioteca dell'Archiginnasio, Bologna" fits.
  2. Check the details on the official page, since schedules and prices change.
  3. Be early. Say to the host that you are new; introducing newcomers is part of their job.
  4. Bring one easy opener: ask what brought people here, or whether they have been before. Give yourself a one-hour minimum, then decide.
  5. Return to the same group once more before deciding; regulars make it easier, and Meet & Mint shows who plans to attend.

Alternatives to dating apps

What actually works, compared

A neutral comparison of five ways to meet people through shared activities. None needs a profile; the last column shows what we list for Bologna.

FormatWhy conversation startsWorks well if youTypical costCommitmentIn Bologna now
Dinners with strangersA shared table and a host who seats youLike longer one-to-one conversationThe price of a mealOne evening, often booked aheadnone in our data yet
Run clubsYou move at the same pace and talk on the movePrefer doing something active to small talkOften free or low costWeekly; talking is optionalnone in our data yet
Language cafésEveryone is practising, so starting a chat is expectedWant a ready-made reason to talkFree or the cost of a coffeeDrop-innone in our data yet
Game nightsThe game provides the topic and something to doEnjoy light competition or puzzlesFree or a small table feeDrop-in, two to three hoursnone in our data yet
VolunteeringA shared task and a teamWant to meet people with similar valuesFreeRegular shifts matter more than one visitnone in our data yet

Questions people ask

What is a good way to make friends in Bologna that is not an app?

Join something recurring with a host and a task: a language café, a game night, a walk or a class. For Bologna we currently list 125 events, for example "Book talk Il nome della cosa, Biblioteca dell'Archiginnasio, Bologna" and "Book launch L'inverno è dei forti, Libreria Modo Infoshop, Bologna".

Will I be the only one on my own at events in Bologna?

Not at all. At hosted events many people come alone, which is why the formats work. Arrive early, mention to the host that you are new, and you will be placed at a table or in a group.

Are these dating events in Bologna?

They are group activities, not dating events. You go for the activity and the company; any romance is a side effect we cannot promise.

Does meeting people in Bologna cost money?

Often not. 30 of 125 listed events in Bologna are free (26 within 30 days). Paid formats such as padel sessions or board-game cafés state the price on their page.

How do I start in Bologna if I find talking to strangers hard?

Start with a structured event, like a workshop or a conversation table, where there is always something to do or say. Give it an hour. Meet & Mint shows who else is going so you recognise a face.

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How it works

Meet & Mint in Bologna: how it works

  1. Find an event on Come Alone or in the Meet & Mint map and open the official page for the details.
  2. Join alone in the app: you see how many people are going and can read the group chat.
  3. Say hello before in the chat, so the first minutes at the venue are with names you know.
  4. Meet at the event and decide afterwards whether to go again. Nobody is on a date.

Meet & Mint

See who's going, then go together

Meet & Mint shows events and people near you on one map. Join an event alone, chat with the group, meet at the event. Free on iPhone and Android.

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