How to Make Friends in Adelaide (Without the Awkward Small Talk)

If you’ve ever heard the rumour that Adelaide is a tough nut to crack when it comes to making new friends, you’re not alone. Whether you’ve just moved here, stepped into a new stage of life, or simply feel like your social circle could use some fresh faces, finding genuine connections as an adult can feel… well, tricky. 😅

We’ve been there — and we’re here to help.

At Pottering Around, we believe creativity is the perfect icebreaker. That’s why we’ve created Mate Night: a fun, welcoming evening designed to bring people together through art, conversation, and (let’s be honest) good food and wine.

Why Making Friends in Adelaide Feels Hard

Let’s be real: when we’re kids, making friends is simple. A shared toy at school, a quick “wanna play?” and suddenly you’ve got a best mate for life. As adults, things get a little more complicated. Between work, family commitments, and the busyness of life, it’s harder to put yourself out there.

And if you’re new to Adelaide? It can feel like everyone already has their established circles, leaving you wondering how to break in.

That’s exactly why Mate Night exists — to give you a comfortable, non-awkward way to meet people who are also looking to connect.

What to Expect at Mate Night

Think of this as part creative workshop, part social mixer, and part dinner party. For 2.5 hours, you’ll:

💛 Paint Your Own Piece — choose from a mug, plate, or bowl (all kiln-fired and glazed so it’s the real deal). Want something different? Optional upgrades will be available on the night.

💛 Share a Grazing Platter — because food brings people together.

💛 Meet New Faces — we’ll keep things flowing with table swaps, light facilitation, and even a set of conversation cards to make chatting easy (no forced small talk, promise).

💛 Bring Your Own Wine — because everything feels more relaxed with a glass in hand. 🍷

The vibe is friendly, low-pressure, and fun — perfect if you’re new to Adelaide, a new mum, or just looking to expand your circle.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone (We’ll Make It Easy)

We know turning up to something alone can feel daunting, but here’s the thing: almost everyone else will be in the same boat. And once you’ve got a paintbrush in hand, a grazing platter at the table, and a few guided prompts to keep the conversation flowing, the awkwardness melts away.

Who knows? You might just leave with a new mug and a new mate.

The Details

Where: Pottering Around Pottery Café, Semaphore Park
When: 6.30pm, Friday 3rd October
BYO Wine (18+ event)

Tickets: $50 per person

Your ticket includes:

• Your choice of a mug, plate, or bowl to paint (and have glazed & kiln-fired)

• A delicious shared grazing platter

• A fun, welcoming environment with table swaps and conversation cards

• Memories (and possibly friendships) that last long after the paint dries

Ready to Meet Your New Crew?

Adelaide might have a reputation for being a little tricky when it comes to making friends — but we’re here to change that, one ceramic at a time.

Grab your ticket now via the What’s On tab on our website and join us for Mate Night.