Six Places to Find Community and Friends in Conway, Arkansas

Let’s be honest. The prospect of finding friends and community in Conway may seem daunting at first. Some people struggle with finding community more than others, and especially if you’re past the age where school and college provide an easy entry into new social groups, figuring out where exactly to find those new friends can feel difficult. And, if you struggle with social anxiety, there is often an additional layer of stress added to the thought of a search for friendship.

Humans are social creatures. Isolation left unaddressed can lead to depression and other disorders. If you feel isolated or lonely, or if you have recently moved to Conway and need to find companionship, it’s important that you find a group of people who enjoy the same activities you do. By engaging with these people regularly, you’ll be able to develop lasting friendships that provide social and moral support.

Figuring out where to go to make these social connections can be tough, especially if you’re new to the area. Below is a brief list of free, easily accessible options.

Conway Public Library: Believe it or not, the library is a great place to find like-minded individuals. The Conway Public Library, like most public libraries, isn’t just a repository for books. They also host many free events. Conway’s library has events nearly every day of the week, including a Tai Chi group, garden club, adult coloring book group, and community meditation. One of the benefits of going to events at the library is the groups are usually small and relatively quiet—perfect for meeting new people in a calm, relaxed environment.

Zaza’s: Most people who live in Central Arkansas have eaten at Zaza’s at least once. What you may not know is that Zaza’s, along with King’s on Front Street and other local spots, is host to weekly trivia. To join trivia, you need only bring one other person, and it’s free to play. Often, you can even find a table with someone (or several someones) looking for another teammate.

Meetup groups: Meetup.com is free to join, and once you have an account you’ll be able to search for groups with interests that match your own. Meetup groups are awesome because the main reason people join one is to meet new people. When you show up to a scheduled meetup outing, it’s expected that you won’t know anyone, and often members who have attended before will introduce themselves and facilitate introductions to others. Conway has several meetup groups, including one for “socializing introverts.” And if you’re willing to expand your search outside of Conway to include Little Rock, you can also find groups that kayak, hike, dance, and learn languages together.

Church: If going to church is up your alley, it’s a great way to meet new people. Aside from the Sunday service itself, churches run many activities for their members, including leisure activities and community outreach, that you’ll be able to join in on.

Bob’s Grill: Okay, hear me out on this one. If you need some practice making small talk, Bob’s is the place to go. You’ll get tasty food served to you by excellent waitresses who are pros at making chit-chat. People eat here in groups and alone, and if you’re alone, it’s the perfect low-pressure situation in which to practice your social skills.
Volunteering: Conway is the city of nonprofits. If you’d like to meet people who are interested in social causes, volunteering is the way to go. You’ll come together with others to serve a cause outside yourself, and in the meantime, you’ll likely find friendly, compassionate people who can eventually become close friends. And volunteering is shown to improve self-esteem, so aside from meeting new people, you’ll receive that added benefit!

If you’re suffering from isolation or loneliness, or even if you just need a little support as you reach out to make new friends, Thriveworks Conway counselors can help. We don’t keep a waiting list, and we can usually see you within 24 hours of your call. We also accept most insurance. You don’t have to wait any longer for help and support—contact us today.

Thriveworks Conway can be reached at 501-404-9737.