I tried three social mixers, so you don’t have to
One of the scariest things about graduating from college (aside from crippling unemployment rates) is the consequent difficulty in finding new relationships beyond university. As connections seem to flourish best due to proximity, the absence thereof can make socialization feel like quite a chore. I thought my introvert self would be exempt from this, but I ended up seeking third spaces—social surroundings other than your home or workplace—as early as a month before graduation.
Three months after I graduated, I could feel the increased importance of socializing with intent, and it seems like the metro has also seen the need for that. Whether you’re an introvert, an extrovert, or a mix of both, depending on the day, here are three social mixers I’ve personally tried, catered to different personalities and vibes.
For extroverts: Never Strangers
Singapore-based concept Never Strangers has found a second home in the Philippines, hosting numerous mixers at Yes Please in Bonifacio Global City. The mixer uses algorithm-powered Matchbox to match every registrant based on questions that cover everything from political preferences to romantic habits.
Never Strangers promises every guest a match based on their personalities and principles—categorizing their dating parties from their age (they have parties for people in their 20s to 30s vs. 30s to 40s) to their SOGIE identification through LGBTQIA+-first events.
In a mixer I joined, guests were divided into tables and had a deck of cards for icebreakers, where they were asked to reveal their camera rolls and search histories. There was even a game of two truths and a lie. Human bingo was also part of the mixer activity roster, asking for anyone who could speak more than seven languages or people who had twins.
If you’re not looking for “The One,” Never Strangers also hosts what they call Friends Mixers, which match people up platonically. Regardless of romantic or platonic intentions, a Never Strangers event seems to best fit extroverts, as one can expect a night of partying and putting oneself out there.
For ambiverts: Timeleft
Timeleft is not a dating app, but its algorithm-based matching understandably has people thinking otherwise. Through comprehensive questions similar to Never Strangers’ Matchbox algorithm, Timeleft would put you in a table for five at a restaurant in your chosen city. The twist? You only find out about your restaurant the morning of your dinner, and you only get hints of the ages and jobs of your tablemates the night before it. Dinners happen every Wednesday in key locations such as Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Ortigas, and Quezon City.
Unlike Never Strangers, where key social activities were facilitated by a team of organizers, Timeleft leaves the social activities up to the table’s discretion. While there was a card game available on the app for icebreakers, tables like mine opted for more free-flowing conversations over dinner instead.
With Timeleft, you can expect a more intimate social setup due to their five-per-table quota. Smaller groups strike a balance for extroverts who are comfortable with taking charge of the conversation and introverts who want to try chiming in. The elements of mystery leading up to a dinner also add some allure, which makes Timeleft a prime choice for ambiverts.
For introverts: Sinag Muse
A digital-first community can be found in Sinag Muse: a collective that doubles as a newsletter and event organizer. Seeking to provide a safe space for people to feel less alone, Sinag Muse allows their audience to meet like-minded individuals with shared tastes and the overall desire for a creative community. Their newsletter dishes no-BS advice and sharp insight, packaged in aesthetically pleasing visuals, reminiscent of the internet’s early days, and this energy is made to feel warmer during their onsite events.
Events with Sinag Muse are hosted at the Sinag House, a condominium unit with a cozy and welcoming ambience conducive to a plethora of activities. From pizza-making to PowerPoint nights about exes, Sinag Muse embraces quirks and niches like they’re second nature. A personal recommendation, however, would be their Bare Minimum Book Club. For 90 uninterrupted minutes, Sinag Muse invites you to read a book of your choice—or borrow one from their selection. After your reading time, you’re invited to talk as much (or as little) about your book in a casual group sharing session.
And did we mention that you get complimentary snacks and free-flowing wine, too?
Sinag Muse’s commitment to fostering a very specific kind of vibe has been highly encouraging for people to take part in their community, online or offline. In particular, the collective’s penchant for low-commitment, “bare minimum” events allows its audience to quickly get comfortable with finding a place for themselves in the community. While socialization is inherent, Sinag Muse operates in a way that enables each guest to stay in touch with their individual perceptions and behaviors during their events, providing an ideal avenue for introverts who want to try something new.
Try and try until you succeed
As more of us crave organic ways to socialize, it’s still important to manage expectations when going to events like this. You probably won’t find a friend group that rivals those of “Friends” and “Sex and the City,” nor will you likely meet your soulmate at first try, but that’s par for the course, and frankly, completely fine.
After all, we meet everyone for a reason, and weak ties—the relationships we have with acquaintances and casual friends—are instrumental to discovering new information or opportunities we wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.
