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

Not a date · Chicago

Meet people in Chicago without a dating app.

Meeting people does not have to be a profile. In Chicago we list 99 upcoming events built around an activity, so conversation starts with the activity.

See this week's picks How to go alone

Picks

Tonight and this week in Chicago nobody on a date

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

Sun15Nov
LearningChicago
13:00–15:00

Learn to Sew, beginner class, Dunning Library, Chicago

Chicago Public Library – Dunning

On Sunday 15 November 2026 at 13:00 the Dunning branch of Chicago Public Library in Chicago runs Learn to Sew, a hands-on beginner sewing class. The listing says participants learn essential machine skills while completing a simple take-home project, and that each session introduces a new easy sewing activity designed to build confidence, creativity and practical skills. All materials are provided and no prior experience is needed. The session runs from 13:00 to 15:00. The library asks anyone needing sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance to call or email at least 14 business days before the event. A craft class like this is easy to join alone, since everyone is learning the same beginner skills side by side and the work itself gives people something to talk about. The listing does not state a price, so check the official page before going. «Join us for a hands‑on beginner sewing class where participants learn essential machine skills while completing a simple take‑home project.» Starts 13:00, ends about 15:00. Source: Chicago Public Library events.

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Sun15Nov
SocialChicago
13:30–15:00

Book Swap at the Chinatown library, Chicago

Chicago Public Library – Chinatown

On Sunday 15 November 2026 at 13:30 the Chicago Public Library Chinatown branch at 2100 S. Wentworth Avenue in Chicago holds a Book Swap. The listing asks participants to bring a book from their own collection on the day, up to a maximum of three books they are willing to give away, so that they can swap with others and find their next read. Each participant writes a few lines about the book they brought, and everyone then browses and swaps from the collected books. The listing invites guests to chat with fellow book lovers, to give a book, get a book and make new friends along the way. The session runs from 13:30 to 15:00. A swap like this is easy to attend alone, since every guest arrives with a book to share and an easy reason to start a conversation. The listing does not state a price, so check the official page before going. «Chat with fellow book lovers and give a book, get a book, and make new friends while you’re at it!» Starts 13:30, ends about 15:00. Source: Chicago Public Library events.

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Sun15Nov
CultureChicago
14:00–15:30

Decoupage Paper Napkin Workshop, Chicago Public Library Douglass

Chicago Public Library – Douglass

On Sunday 15 November 2026 at 14:00 the Douglass branch of Chicago Public Library in Chicago hosts a Decoupage Paper Napkin Workshop. The listing explains that participants will discover how to turn an ordinary glass vase or ceramic plate into a decorative piece, using simple decoupage techniques. In the hands-on session they learn to apply a paper napkin design to a surface with Mod Podge, producing a polished, personalized item that suits gifting or display. The workshop is described as beginner-friendly and needs no prior crafting experience, only creativity and a willingness to have fun. The library provides napkins, and participants may also bring a design they love. Everyone leaves with a unique handmade piece to take home. It is listed for adults aged 18 and up. A craft table like this is easy to join alone, since everyone is busy with the same project. The listing does not state a price, so check the official page before going. «This beginner-friendly session requires no prior crafting experience—just creativity and a willingness to have fun.» Starts 14:00, ends about 15:30. Source: Chicago Public Library events.

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Mon16Nov
Free
SocialChicago
18:00–19:30

Relaxed board game night for adults at Austin library, Chicago

Chicago Public Library – Austin (Auditorium, 2nd floor)

The Austin branch on Chicago's West Side hosts a relaxed Monday evening of board games in its auditorium. Play the classics, learn something new and connect with others, whatever your experience; bring your favourite game or use one of the library's. The listing states that it is free. «Game Night» Starts 18:00, ends about 19:30. Source: Chicago Public Library events.

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Tue17Nov
Free
SocialChicago
18:30–19:30

Cookbook club on baking, West Belmont Library, Chicago

Chicago Public Library – West Belmont

The West Belmont branch of the Chicago Public Library, on North Narragansett Avenue in the north-west of the city, holds its monthly Cookbook Club on Tuesday evening. Members explore new cooking styles and themes each month, and the library says that anyone who likes cooking or just enjoys browsing cookbooks is welcome. November’s title is «Baking Across America» by B. Dylan Hollis, and copies are available at the branch’s circulation desk. Participants may bring a sample dish to share, but nothing says it is required, so you can also come to chat and listen. Online registration is suggested by the library. Accessibility help such as sign-language interpretation can be requested from the library, with at least fourteen business days of notice. The session starts at 18:30 and ends about 19:30, an easy evening for anyone who loves baking and enjoys talking about food. The listing states that it is free. «Cookbook Club: Baking Across America» Starts 18:30, ends about 19:30. Source: Chicago Public Library events.

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Fri27Nov
Free
SocialChicago
11:00–12:00

Puzzle Club for adults at Avalon library, Chicago

Chicago Public Library – Avalon

Do you enjoy working on a jigsaw puzzle with a bit of company? The Avalon branch library invites adults 18 and up to join staff for fun and conversation while the group tries to complete a puzzle together. The library supplies the puzzle, and you can bring one of your own if you like. It is a relaxed late-morning hour on the Friday after Thanksgiving, with no skills needed and no pressure to talk; slide a piece into place now and then, or settle into a chat with whoever is next to you, and leave with the satisfaction of a picture slowly coming together. The branch is on South Stony Island Avenue, close to the Avalon neighbourhood. The listing states that it is free. «Puzzle Club» Starts 11:00, ends about 12:00. Source: Chicago Public Library events.

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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 Chicago:

How to go alone

Five steps for your first time

  1. Start with one hosted event; "Learn to Sew, beginner class, Dunning Library, Chicago" 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. Keep one simple question ready ("Have you been before?") and commit to staying for an hour before you judge it.
  5. Go a second time. Familiar faces turn a first outing into a routine. In Meet & Mint you can see who else is going.

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 Chicago.

FormatWhy conversation startsWorks well if youTypical costCommitmentIn Chicago 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-in7 listed
Game nightsThe game provides the topic and something to doEnjoy light competition or puzzlesFree or a small table feeDrop-in, two to three hours29 listed
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 Chicago 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 Chicago we currently list 99 events, for example "Learn to Sew, beginner class, Dunning Library, Chicago" and "Book Swap at the Chinatown library, Chicago".

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

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 Chicago?

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

Are there free things to do alone in Chicago?

Yes. 8 of the 99 upcoming events we list in Chicago are free, including 3 in the next 30 days. Language cafés, library programmes and many walks cost nothing.

What if I'm shy or new to Chicago?

Choose a format with a task: a game, a class, a walk. You can talk about the task, and silence is fine. Stay for an hour, then decide. Meet & Mint lets you see who is going and say hello in the group chat first.

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How it works

Meet & Mint in Chicago: 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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