In areas where the website is still viable, I've found that Meetup is a reasonable way to socialize and find recreational events with limited pressure in a public location.
For example, I enjoy board gaming, and used to use Meetup in the South because I found it difficult to make friends being an outsider in the South. Meetup was relatively helpful for going to a restaurant, just sitting down, having meal, and playing board games for several hours. And several of those then turned into roleplaying groups, social groups, and similar external to the Meetup.
On a quick search, most major cities seem to have board gaming groups:
Most are relatively free of cost, supported by businesses that have an interest in regular attendees visiting the stores and buying a few small products each time they attend (meal, drinks, snacks, ect...) A couple are gaming stores that ask for a small rental fee or offer free table space if you want to bring your own games.
For example, I enjoy board gaming, and used to use Meetup in the South because I found it difficult to make friends being an outsider in the South. Meetup was relatively helpful for going to a restaurant, just sitting down, having meal, and playing board games for several hours. And several of those then turned into roleplaying groups, social groups, and similar external to the Meetup.
On a quick search, most major cities seem to have board gaming groups:
Seattle: https://www.meetup.com/gearhouse-events/events/306262711/?re...
Los Angeles: https://www.meetup.com/los-angeles-werewolf-meetup-group/eve...
New York: https://www.meetup.com/new-york-games-nights-meetup-group/ev...
Atlanta: https://www.meetup.com/agguild/events/306018016/?recId=cd815...
Philadelphia: https://www.meetup.com/montco-board-games/events/304398746/?...
Chicago: https://www.meetup.com/chicagogames/events/306090271/?recId=...
Fort Worth: https://www.meetup.com/fort-worth-board-game-club/events/304...
Minneapolis / Saint Paul: https://www.meetup.com/saintpaulgamegroup/events/306244052/?...
Denver: https://www.meetup.com/meetupdenvermplusz/events/306229426/?...
Most are relatively free of cost, supported by businesses that have an interest in regular attendees visiting the stores and buying a few small products each time they attend (meal, drinks, snacks, ect...) A couple are gaming stores that ask for a small rental fee or offer free table space if you want to bring your own games.