Questions
What people ask about Chicago
Times are local. Check the official page before you go: schedules and prices change.
- How do I meet people in Chicago when I'm new in town?
- Free things to do alone in Chicago this week
- Are there language cafés or conversation groups in Chicago?
- Where can I try padel in Chicago without my own partner?
- Is there a board-game café in Chicago where I can go alone?
- Where can I spend a wet evening in Chicago on my own?
- Are there evening activities in Chicago for people travelling alone?
- Where can I play pickleball in Chicago?
- Are there game nights in Chicago for people who come alone?
- Are there book clubs or reading groups in Chicago?
- Free library programmes in Chicago: what is on?
- Where can I hear live music for free in Chicago?
- Creative workshops in Chicago for people who come alone?
- Quiz or trivia nights in Chicago for solo players?
- Can I play a racket sport in Chicago without a partner?
- What cultural events are on in Chicago?
- Intimate live music in Chicago: what is on?
- Are there talks or lectures in Chicago I can go to alone?
- Where can I go after work in Chicago on my own?
- What events can I go to alone in Chicago over the next 30 days?
How do I meet people in Chicago when I'm new in town?
Start with formats that have a host and a repeat date, because the conversation is built in: 47 upcoming Chicago events fit that description.
- Adult board game night at Greater Grand Crossing library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Greater Grand Crossing, Wed 21 Oct, 17:00, free
- Weird Book Club at Midwest Coast Brewing: «The Icepick Surgeon» — Midwest Coast Brewing Company, Wed 21 Oct, 18:30, free
- Novel Needles knit and crochet group, Roden library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Roden, Mon 2 Nov, 13:00, free
- Spanish conversation group at Blackstone library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Blackstone, Wed 4 Nov, 18:00, free
More: Language cafés · Game nights
Free things to do alone in Chicago this week
We list 3 free options in Chicago this week, and most need no booking beyond a quick check of the official page.
- Adult board game night at Greater Grand Crossing library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Greater Grand Crossing, Wed 21 Oct, 17:00, free
- Weird Book Club at Midwest Coast Brewing: «The Icepick Surgeon» — Midwest Coast Brewing Company, Wed 21 Oct, 18:30, free
- Trivia night with Back of the Yards library at The Plant, Chicago — The Plant, Thu 22 Oct, 19:00, free
- ESL: English Language Conversation Practice (Little Italy) — Monday, 18:00; Little Italy Branch, Chicago Public Library; free
More: Library nights · Language cafés
Are there language cafés or conversation groups in Chicago?
You have 7 options in Chicago, from drop-in conversation tables to weekly exchanges.
- ESL Practice: English Conversation Group (Rogers Park) — Monday, 18:30; Rogers Park Branch, Chicago Public Library; free
- ESL: English Language Conversation Practice (Little Italy) — Monday, 18:00; Little Italy Branch, Chicago Public Library; free
- Spanish conversation group at Blackstone library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Blackstone, Wed 4 Nov, 18:00, free
- Spanish Conversation Group at Blackstone library, Hyde Park, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Blackstone, Wed 2 Dec, 18:00, free
Where can I try padel in Chicago without my own partner?
Start at one of 1 club in Chicago with beginner-friendly padel sessions.
- Proximo Padel — padel open play; level: beginner 1-1.75 NPRP; USD 47
More: Padel & pickleball
Is there a board-game café in Chicago where I can go alone?
2 places in Chicago, where staff can usually suggest a game (2 say beginners are welcome).
- Bonus Round Game Cafe — board-game cafe; various, see site
- Snakes & Lattes Chicago game night (Meetup) — board-game cafe; Thursday, evening
More: Game nights
Where can I spend a wet evening in Chicago on my own?
You have 7 indoor options in Chicago, from evening events to tables with board games.
- Weird Book Club at Midwest Coast Brewing: «The Icepick Surgeon» — Midwest Coast Brewing Company, Wed 21 Oct, 18:30, free
- Trivia night with Back of the Yards library at The Plant, Chicago — The Plant, Thu 22 Oct, 19:00, free
- Book talk on Shirley Jackson’s gothic classic, Rogers Park, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Rogers Park, Wed 28 Oct, 18:00, free
- Bonus Round Game Cafe — board-game cafe; various, see site
- Snakes & Lattes Chicago game night (Meetup) — board-game cafe; Thursday, evening
More: Library nights · Game nights
Are there evening activities in Chicago for people travelling alone?
There is an evening scene: 14 listings in Chicago run from 17:00 onwards, mostly hosted events or groups. We don't rate neighbourhood safety, so check local advice for that.
- Weird Book Club at Midwest Coast Brewing: «The Icepick Surgeon» — Midwest Coast Brewing Company, Wed 21 Oct, 18:30, free
- Book talk on Shirley Jackson’s gothic classic, Rogers Park, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Rogers Park, Wed 28 Oct, 18:00, free
- One Book, One Chicago talk on «Orbital», Albany Park library — Chicago Public Library – Albany Park, Thu 12 Nov, 18:30, free
- ESL: English Language Conversation Practice (Little Italy) — Monday, 18:00; Little Italy Branch, Chicago Public Library; free
- Beer & Board Games Chicago at Navigator Taproom — open table night; 1st and 3rd Thursday, 18:30; not stated
More: Game nights · Language cafés
Where can I play pickleball in Chicago?
We list 1 place to play pickleball in Chicago.
- Players Sports Center — pickleball open play; level: all levels
More: Padel & pickleball
Are there game nights in Chicago for people who come alone?
Chicago has 23 open game sessions listed; 20 have a date in the coming weeks.
- Chicago Chess Center — chess club; daily; membership adult 19.99 USD/month
- Chicago Game Lovers - Monday learn-and-play at Monochrome Brewing — open table night; Monday, 17:30; no cover or minimum
- Adult board game night at Greater Grand Crossing library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Greater Grand Crossing, Wed 21 Oct, 17:00, free
- Trivia night with Back of the Yards library at The Plant, Chicago — The Plant, Thu 22 Oct, 19:00, free
More: Game nights
Are there book clubs or reading groups in Chicago?
Yes, we list 11 reading-group events for Chicago; most are drop-in.
- Weird Book Club at Midwest Coast Brewing: «The Icepick Surgeon» — Midwest Coast Brewing Company, Wed 21 Oct, 18:30, free
- Social book chat with Mayfair library at Pete’s Pizza, Chicago — Pete's Pizza #2, Mon 2 Nov, 19:00, free
- Cookbook Club, Austin library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Austin, Wed 11 Nov, 18:00, free
- Book discussion and space games at the Adler Planetarium — Adler Planetarium, Wed 18 Nov, 18:30, free
More: Book clubs
Free library programmes in Chicago: what is on?
Chicago libraries host 70 events in our listings (70 free), from talks to conversation groups.
- Adult board game night at Greater Grand Crossing library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Greater Grand Crossing, Wed 21 Oct, 17:00, free
- Weird Book Club at Midwest Coast Brewing: «The Icepick Surgeon» — Midwest Coast Brewing Company, Wed 21 Oct, 18:30, free
- Trivia night with Back of the Yards library at The Plant, Chicago — The Plant, Thu 22 Oct, 19:00, free
- Book talk on Shirley Jackson’s gothic classic, Rogers Park, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Rogers Park, Wed 28 Oct, 18:00, free
More: Library nights
Where can I hear live music for free in Chicago?
Free music is easy to find in Chicago: we list 2 events.
- Song club: share your favourite track, Austin library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Austin, Thu 17 Dec, 15:00, free
- Monday Night Open Mic at Rogers Park Library — Chicago Public Library – Rogers Park, Mon 28 Dec, 18:00, free
Creative workshops in Chicago for people who come alone?
Chicago has 7 hands-on sessions coming up; working on a shared task gives you something to talk about.
- Novel Needles knit and crochet group, Roden library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Roden, Mon 2 Nov, 13:00, free
- Adult Craft Night: Make a Junk Journal — Chicago Public Library – Vodak-East Side, Mon 23 Nov, 18:00, free
- Crocheting circle at Thurgood Marshall library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Thurgood Marshall, Sat 28 Nov, 11:00, free
- Talavera Holiday Ornament Workshop at Harold Washington Library — Chicago Public Library – Harold Washington Library…, Wed 9 Dec, 17:00, free
Quiz or trivia nights in Chicago for solo players?
Chicago has 3 quiz options in our data; teams usually take solo players.
- Trivia night with Back of the Yards library at The Plant, Chicago — The Plant, Thu 22 Oct, 19:00, free
- November Knowledge trivia night at Canaryville library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Canaryville, Mon 2 Nov, 18:30, free
- Holiday Trivia Night at Canaryville Library — Chicago Public Library – Canaryville, Mon 7 Dec, 18:30, free
More: Game nights
Can I play a racket sport in Chicago without a partner?
You don't need a partner at the 2 open-play or americano sessions we list in Chicago.
- Proximo Padel — padel open play; level: beginner 1-1.75 NPRP; USD 47
- Players Sports Center — pickleball open play; level: all levels
More: Padel & pickleball
What cultural events are on in Chicago?
We list 9 culture options in Chicago; going alone works well because you sit or walk at your own pace.
- Halloween screening of the thriller Primate, Mayfair library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Mayfair, Fri 30 Oct, 14:30, free
- Halloween afternoon screening of Scream VI, North Austin library — Chicago Public Library – North Austin, Sat 31 Oct, 14:00, free
- Eggers' gothic Nosferatu on Halloween, Bessie Coleman library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Bessie Coleman, Sat 31 Oct, 14:15, free
- One Book, One Chicago talk on «Orbital», Albany Park library — Chicago Public Library – Albany Park, Thu 12 Nov, 18:30, free
Intimate live music in Chicago: what is on?
We list 3 jam sessions and small gigs for Chicago; they suit solo visitors because you just listen.
- Game night for adults with smooth jazz, Wrightwood-Ashburn, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Wrightwood-Ashburn, Wed 4 Nov, 17:00, free
- Game Night for Adults with smooth jazz, Wrightwood-Ashburn, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Wrightwood-Ashburn, Wed 2 Dec, 17:00, free
- Monday Night Open Mic at Rogers Park Library — Chicago Public Library – Rogers Park, Mon 28 Dec, 18:00, free
Are there talks or lectures in Chicago I can go to alone?
We list 21 talks and classes for Chicago, 21 of them free.
- Book talk on Shirley Jackson’s gothic classic, Rogers Park, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Rogers Park, Wed 28 Oct, 18:00, free
- Spanish conversation group at Blackstone library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Blackstone, Wed 4 Nov, 18:00, free
- Introduction to zine making, Harold Washington Library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Harold Washington Library…, Fri 6 Nov, 14:00, free
- Spanish Study Group, Avalon library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Avalon, Sat 7 Nov, 10:30, free
Where can I go after work in Chicago on my own?
13 weekday events in Chicago start between 17:00 and 20:59 in the next 30 days.
- Adult board game night at Greater Grand Crossing library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Greater Grand Crossing, Wed 21 Oct, 17:00, free
- Weird Book Club at Midwest Coast Brewing: «The Icepick Surgeon» — Midwest Coast Brewing Company, Wed 21 Oct, 18:30, free
- Book talk on Shirley Jackson’s gothic classic, Rogers Park, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Rogers Park, Wed 28 Oct, 18:00, free
- One Book, One Chicago talk on «Orbital», Albany Park library — Chicago Public Library – Albany Park, Thu 12 Nov, 18:30, free
What events can I go to alone in Chicago over the next 30 days?
21 events are listed for Chicago in the next 30 days, mostly social (12), learning (5), culture (4).
- Adult board game night at Greater Grand Crossing library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Greater Grand Crossing, Wed 21 Oct, 17:00, free
- Weird Book Club at Midwest Coast Brewing: «The Icepick Surgeon» — Midwest Coast Brewing Company, Wed 21 Oct, 18:30, free
- Book talk on Shirley Jackson’s gothic classic, Rogers Park, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Rogers Park, Wed 28 Oct, 18:00, free
- Halloween screening of the thriller Primate, Mayfair library, Chicago — Chicago Public Library – Mayfair, Fri 30 Oct, 14:30, free
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Language cafés · Game nights · Padel & pickleball · Library nights · Book clubs · Meet people without a dating app
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