It’s that time of year when everyone snuggles up with a nice cup of cocoa, watches holiday films, and…finds their community? That’s right, this cuffing season ditch the first dates and meet your new crew. We’ve got something for everyone, whether you're a cinephile or a foodie.
Take a Wine & Food Pairing Class
Did you know a full-bodied chardonnay pairs best with turkey? No? Well, your guests did.
Bring the right bottle of wine to your next potluck, party, or family dinner this holiday season and meet some fellow oenophiles (we may or may not have had to look that up).
We’re especially fond of some recent wine pairing inspiration that’s been circulating the internet.
So don’t make the mistake of serving a bold red with your turkey. You might as well make your holiday meal a pairing experience and show off your new skills.
Open Market LA has a food and wine pairing class coming up on the 22nd, get tickets now!
Join a Mahjong Club
You were probably too busy swiping right to notice, but Mahjong is making a comeback. Clubs like NYC’s Green Tile Social Club and LA’s Mahjong Mistress are leading the charge with speed friending, supper clubs, tastings, and parties for newbies and seasoned players alike.
A mahjong club is perfect for those looking to socialize while learning a new skill. In a Thrillist feature about Green Tile Social Club, writer Izzy Baskette outlines the wave of new mahjong players and the game’s ability to reconnect players with their culture.
One founder, Grace Liu, says “You don’t have to know Chinese 100% or be close with an extensive Chinese family”…“You can play and through that, find connection to your roots.”
Become a Coffee Snob
Ever wish you could brew cafe-quality coffee at home? Well, now you can learn how! Sign up for a class at Sightglass Coffee or Four Barrel. Both offer expert advice that just might keep you from buying that $8 latte ever again.
Many classes come with a take-home bag of beans to get you started. Plus, you can meet some other hyper-caffeinated individuals and feel less alone going for your third coffee run of the day.
Volunteer in your Community
Volunteer with one of these local organizations, or do a quick Google search to find out who in your community needs a helping hand!
- Arts for LA is helping students in Los Angeles Connect with the arts. Their volunteer opportunities involve support during events like pop-up art shows and conferences. Or, if you’d rather help make some art for the community, check out the LA Street Art Initiative with Arts Bridging the Gap. Not only will you meet plenty of new people, but together you'll create murals across the city.
- Many of New York City’s finest museums look for volunteers regularly. See how you can get involved at The MET, The Guggenheim, MoMA, the Brooklyn Museum, and more.
- If you’re in the Bay area, volunteer with Youth Speaks and help uplift young poets’ voices at showcases and open-mic events. They're currently seeking volunteers for the Teen Poetry Slam Semi-Finals and Finals events.
Cinephiles Unite
Ah yes, cinema. The theaters are a classic date venue, but this season, make it your favorite hangout. We find that community feels even more alive at specialty theaters like Vidiots here in LA. They show everything from blockbusters to cult classics to foreign films in an intimate venue. Sign up for their newsletter here and never miss a screening or special event. Finally, you can find someone to share your secret Twilight obsession with.
Not in LA? Not to worry! Search for specialty theatres in your area. Cosmopolitan made a pretty impressive list of the coolest movie theater in every state. Did someone say road trip with your new-found film buddies in 2025?
If you haven't already, we also recommend signing up for Letterboxd. Much of the film community’s discourse is online and this is just about as good as it gets.
Become an AI expert
Curious about AI? Find hyper-specific classes with Coursera like “Prompt Engineering Generative AI for Marketing & Advertising” or take part in something more general like “AI Foundations for Everyone.” Many classes have opportunities for peer review and collaboration between classmates. Some classes have even planned IRL meetups.
If you’re the creative type, there are still plenty of options for honing AI. Masters of AI seeks to elevate your creativity and unlock new opportunities through hands-on case studies and a community of top-tier peers (Masters of AI).
Build your knowledge at conferences like New York’s AI Summit where you’ll meet some of AI’s top names globally while forming a community in person.
Join a Record Club or Attend a Listening Bar
There’s nothing better than hearing your favorite song on vinyl. Well, hearing it in a room full of like-minded music lovers might just take the cake.
LA’s The Record Club is bringing together listeners in both NYC and LA for ultra-groovy listening parties. Their Instagram bio says it best, they're “the theater for the album.”
Check out their Instagram for upcoming events, they might just be listening to your fave soon.
We also have to recommend Eavesdrop in NYC which is just about the coolest space you've probably ever seen serving specialty food and cocktails while uniting a listening community. Oh, and it’s designed for sound with speakers on essentially every wall.
All this is to say, there are plenty of community-forward options for you to learn, experience, and have fun this cuffing season. Embracing a new pastime, instead of a new fling, this year might just leave you feeling okay with the single life by Valentine’s Day. And who knows? Maybe you’ll have your own friends-to-lovers arc at your local movie theater or coffee shop.
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