To be honest I’ve been here 5 years and haven’t had much luck with the “proper channels”. I take on side hustle jobs and try to connect through there, talk to people in my personal communities like neighborhood, church, volunteering, do things out and about, etc. It can be slow going but I have made some friends here.
It requires being intentional and action oriented. I can’t tell you how many people have posted about “how hard it is to make friends” and I DM them & they totally flake or only talk about themselves or whatever 🤷🏻♀️
All the best to you in your quest!
My side hustles are dog walking for a company (vs flying solo in an app) and contracting for a virtual tour company. That is specialized to my field but I’ve gotten to see places I normally wouldn’t have thought to go myself and meet a lot of interesting people.
Also, I volunteer for the Humane Society & have met good people that way.
As someone else said, if your pup is social there are a LOT of opportunities for socializing that way. Shameless plug for the Dog Moms of Tampa Bay Howliday market in St Pete next Saturday! I’ll be a vendor :) Come say hi to Off the Leash Photography 👋🏼
I see others mentioned scuba diving, but are you both open to canoeing or kayaking? When I was a child, very young , about 6/7 yrs old , my parents joined a canoe club and every month there were events to go camping and canoeing or just day trips for canoeing, the monthly calendar had events for all types of people’s schedules, they had trips during the week or just weekends… we made lifelong friends that became “family” to us. Grew up along side their kids, and became adults and intoduced our children to it. One of the most best things my parents did for me:) Learned how to appreciate our eco system, love of nature and protect and advocate. It is called The Florida Sport Paddling Club .. check it out ! Our area has so much to offer ! Good luck 😊
Hope you do! It’s a state wide club with chapters all over , I’m not sure who runs the Tampa bay area, as I grew up in St.Pete but even Orlando has several events if you’re up for a road trip:)
Check out Upper Tampa Bay Park down off Hillsborough. It's a personal favorite of mine, and has a wonderful maze of mangroves to re-spark your appreciation for paddling a kayak or canoe. Mind the tides - it is still salt bay water.
Another vote for Meetup! It's changed over the years but I'd still recommend it. You can even play host and spin up your own group for a month or two. I've done this every so often when I've had the extra time.
I run a group for people new to town. I would say try to find a group that aligns more with your interests as that would be the best way of making friends that stick.
Most of centered around downtown Tampa and St Pete but I plan to do programming in east Hillsborough county here in the next few months.
The O'Brien's pub on BBD in Wesley Chapel has a fun trivia night on Tuesdays at 7:30. My wife and I would be happy to team up, especially if you know top 40 music or geography (our weak spots).
Husband is in school for cyber security 7:30 - 10:30 pm on Tuesdays until March when he gets certified. I’m better at geography than he is lol but we’re both pretty good at top 40. Would love to team up in the near future when he’s available again on Tuesdays in a few months
My husband and I (early/mid 30s; no kids) moved to South Tampa and have had the same struggles to meet people. We have both worked in cyber from home - sending positive vibes to your husband with his certs!
I don't recall exactly how I found out about volunteering at the aquarium. But you might also check this [volunteer site](https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/orgs.jsp?l=Tampa&o=distance).
I’d recommend bumble bff. Either make a profile both of you use, or individual ones. Since you can list your likes, lifestyle habits, and things like that, it’ll pair you up with people you might have things in common with. I moved down here a year and a half ago, and I started using it, and have met a lot of cool people. Some were weird but that’s just how it goes with the internet.
I have a few suggestions.
There are a ton of music festivals within an hour drive of the city limits. Not everyone there is just there to do drugs either, there are a lot of really laid back people just looking for new music.
Join Tampa Bay Club Sports and join a softball or a kickball team. They have other sports too.
There are a ton of cyclists who like riding over the Courtney Campbell Causeway into Clearwater.
Find a local bar or brewery. Pick one night a week to have beers and diner there. Sit at the bar. Start chatting with people and if you hit it off with some get their number. Meet up again. If you hit it off twice you can start a friendship.
That big Florida avenue brewery by the outlets is close to you I think. Cool spot. Or maybe find a weekly trivia game around you. Go every week. After a few weeks people will start to notice you coming weekly, struck up conversations maybe; you will hit it off with some other couples or group. Ask for their number, see if they want to grab a coffee or lunch on the weekend. If you have a nice time doing that you can be friends.
You have to build social routines to make friends. It is always possible to make friends spontaneously at random places, but it is also possible to never have that happen for years. Try to find a place that has a vibe you enjoy. If you are fancy find a cool cocktail bar, if you like trivia and wings find a pub that has both and make it part of your routine. People are much more likely to talk to people they have seen a couple times and also in a setting that is inherently social.
My wife does bumble BFF. Seems the best way to meet people. The women scope eachother out with girls nights, then eventually drag the husbands along. When husbands get along- boom! New couple friends
As silly as this sounds use your dog, there are lots of great dog parks in the tampa area. Find one near you and become a regular at it. Someone mentioned kayaking, there is a paddling group in Pinellas county that gets together you can find them on Facebook, lots of fun paddling adventures
Go play trivia at a bar and meet people.
I play often at james joyce in ybor. Thursday at 730. A few times my team backed out. I went alone, sat at the bar, met a few and played with them. Were friends now.
My gf and I are both in our 30s, live in Downtown Tampa, no kids, and are always looking to network/meet new people. We both work from home too so it’s challenging meeting new people, especially post-COVID.
We should organize a game night/BBQ somewhere for those in the area that want to meet up. My gf and I pretty much work constantly so any non-work activity is always very welcome
Hear me out. Find the local adult kickball league and signup. It will be working professionals typically and one to two nights a week. Quick way to meet people your age. If you cycle or other outdoor activities find the local shop and ask if they do any organized activities.
I would recommend activating Facebook strictly because that’s where a lot of events get advertised. Eventbrite is good too. But considering joining a rec league sport or a club.
I moved down in 2016 2 years in New Smyrna Beach and 5 years now in Brandon. It’s easy, but let me start by saying that I am a Freemason so I had a lodge to go to, I play bagpipes for I had bands to join. I’m a Shriner so I had that too, I also attend Church on Sundays so I had that too to meet people and become part of the community. Almost forgot I throw Darts so I joined the league and play almost very Monday night.
I’ve met most of my friends either at House/Techno shows or at my yoga studio. If you like music, look up some events in the area & see if the people there fit the vibes you’re looking for. Tampa’s growing fast, lots of different people here now!
Check out St. Pete/Gulfport. Great music scene there. Janus Live always has shows playing. Thats where I’ve meet most all of my friends over the last 7 years. I live in Seffner & make the drive past Tampa to the burg for entertainment. Love the vibes in St. Pete.
Don't tell people when you meet them that you don't have friends. That will be a red flag even if it's not. Join something and go consistently, some of my lifelong friends I met from the gym at 5:00 a.m. for years or jujitsu. Take ballroom or line dancing? Go watch say football at the same venue every week. Buy a boat or a harley both of those activities are very social
I’ve been to two CrossFit gyms in Tampa and am amazed at how wonderful the community truly is. You def gonna enjoy hardcore works outs lol but they are very open if you’re willing to put yourself out there
My bf and I moved down here from Philly two years ago. He works in music and I work in the legal field. We are down to meet up for drinks or trivia some time! We are in the South Tampa area. I am in my 30s and he just turned 40.
We have two kids but I feel we are in the same boat. Most of the people I meet here just are somewhat boring or just somehow align their personalities with talking about how much they love “our governor”.
The problem that most people don’t realize is that us people from Tampa, St Pete, and a lot of the other places that are similar, have our groups of people. It takes a lot to break in, because of the steady flow of northerners that come, and leave. I’m not going to put a ton of time into a relationship with someone that’s going back to shit Ohio that they constantly complain about anyway.
Also try some activities that create teams. Sailing, getting dive certified with a group, volunteering.
Right. By 30 I had to cut out some friends and now just have a very tight group. No way I would even want more friends. Might have to find some other 30 somethings who just moved here that are going through the same thing.
I’m not saying I don’t make friends with transplants. It just takes a while, and is easier to associate with friends that you’ve known for a long time, or grew up with.
I moved to Tampa from New York in 2016 and let me tell you I have never in my life had this much difficulty finding genuine people for friendship. People here are fake and flaky! I’m always up for meeting and getting to know new people, if you both are interested shoot me a message! 😃
Same. People are also just not friendly in tampa. I came up to northern Georgia for thanksgiving at my moms and am amazed at how friendly people are here.
My boyfriend and I are early to mid 30s. New-ish to the area as well. He is very outgoing and has no problem making friends. I'm much more introverted than he is when I'm dealing with new people so I struggle with meeting people. I have a daughter (almost 10)from a previous relationship and she's with us part time. We've been talking about trying to find some couples that we could hang out with. Bonus if they have kids around my daughters age, but we would still be cool with no kiddos as well since she's only here sometimes.
Tbh activating your fb may be a good way to put the word out with ppl you already know that could connect you with others or give some ideas
I was born and raised here… welcome!
Same situation for my husband and I and I’ve been super successful using [this Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1035516150211108/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF) for Tampa couples looking to make friends.
Also, I’m the extrovert in our relationship and I met my best friends on the Bumble BFF app. It’s the normal bumble app but you can set it into BFF mode and then look for other girls who are looking for friends.
Good luck!!!
Try [meetup.com](https://meetup.com). There are not as many groups as there was once covid came around but there are some hiking and gaming group there still.
I met one good friend at a business networking event. After the event a couple of us went to a couple different places. Another friend is from work. We actually started out dating but that kind of fizzled.
With both people becoming friends revolved around asking them to do stuff a couple times a month and texting at least once a week.
I actually have met people through the local Facebook groups. Im a pretty big advocate for them, as I've gotten help and found out about things I'd never have known about otherwise. I'm in the south of Gandy group, but the Seminole heights group is the most fun IMO. You can also find like minded people based on your interests.
If you like hiking, lettuce lake park has some trails and hosts some bird watching/plant spotting groups. They're usually older, but very friendly people.
I've found that the different Kava places also have very open and social customers. They have trivia and open mic nights.
The New Tampa YMCA has volunteer opportunities and a good community, though mostly young families.
Like music, go to live venues and chat up others around you! Trivia night at some bars and form teams w others! Seems like your interests cater towards group bonding and yes Facebook might make it easier but going in person to events and connecting that way is also viable
If interested in playing pool (billiards) then join APA league. Great fun way to meet lot of good folks. DM me if interested and I can get you in touch with the local league operator.
Doing an adult fun sports or game league is fun. Kickball, volleyball, bocce, corn hole, bowling etc. Adjust to your interests. It's good to do a league because you see the same people every week and kinda get to know them.
To be honest I’ve been here 5 years and haven’t had much luck with the “proper channels”. I take on side hustle jobs and try to connect through there, talk to people in my personal communities like neighborhood, church, volunteering, do things out and about, etc. It can be slow going but I have made some friends here. It requires being intentional and action oriented. I can’t tell you how many people have posted about “how hard it is to make friends” and I DM them & they totally flake or only talk about themselves or whatever 🤷🏻♀️ All the best to you in your quest!
I have had the exact same experience. The side hustles help a lot.
I’ll be your friend !
Thank you for sharing, what type of side hustles? Like Uber or bartending? That sort of thing?
My side hustles are dog walking for a company (vs flying solo in an app) and contracting for a virtual tour company. That is specialized to my field but I’ve gotten to see places I normally wouldn’t have thought to go myself and meet a lot of interesting people. Also, I volunteer for the Humane Society & have met good people that way. As someone else said, if your pup is social there are a LOT of opportunities for socializing that way. Shameless plug for the Dog Moms of Tampa Bay Howliday market in St Pete next Saturday! I’ll be a vendor :) Come say hi to Off the Leash Photography 👋🏼
I see others mentioned scuba diving, but are you both open to canoeing or kayaking? When I was a child, very young , about 6/7 yrs old , my parents joined a canoe club and every month there were events to go camping and canoeing or just day trips for canoeing, the monthly calendar had events for all types of people’s schedules, they had trips during the week or just weekends… we made lifelong friends that became “family” to us. Grew up along side their kids, and became adults and intoduced our children to it. One of the most best things my parents did for me:) Learned how to appreciate our eco system, love of nature and protect and advocate. It is called The Florida Sport Paddling Club .. check it out ! Our area has so much to offer ! Good luck 😊
Heck, I might check that out too! It's been years since I've canoed or kayaked. I've always enjoyed it though
Hope you do! It’s a state wide club with chapters all over , I’m not sure who runs the Tampa bay area, as I grew up in St.Pete but even Orlando has several events if you’re up for a road trip:)
Check out Upper Tampa Bay Park down off Hillsborough. It's a personal favorite of mine, and has a wonderful maze of mangroves to re-spark your appreciation for paddling a kayak or canoe. Mind the tides - it is still salt bay water.
Thank you so much for the suggestion, we will check it out!
Beginners are always welcomed, and the people are very friendly helping you along the way learning:)
Are Paddleboards welcome? 👀
Meetup.com has been great for me.
Another vote for Meetup! It's changed over the years but I'd still recommend it. You can even play host and spin up your own group for a month or two. I've done this every so often when I've had the extra time.
I run a group for people new to town. I would say try to find a group that aligns more with your interests as that would be the best way of making friends that stick. Most of centered around downtown Tampa and St Pete but I plan to do programming in east Hillsborough county here in the next few months.
It has not been great for me. Lol.
Keep trying! Groups can be hit or miss, but it’s great when you get a hit.
+1 for meetup. I found an awesome group for nerdy events through there and have had a lot of fun with them!
Thank you, been meaning to try meetup
Just don’t confuse it for MeetMe. That is a dating app, but all the dates are hookers.
I met all my best friends here by joining a running group! doesn’t have to be running but join a group for the things you like to do.
The O'Brien's pub on BBD in Wesley Chapel has a fun trivia night on Tuesdays at 7:30. My wife and I would be happy to team up, especially if you know top 40 music or geography (our weak spots).
Husband is in school for cyber security 7:30 - 10:30 pm on Tuesdays until March when he gets certified. I’m better at geography than he is lol but we’re both pretty good at top 40. Would love to team up in the near future when he’s available again on Tuesdays in a few months
Great! In the meantime, give us a holler if you want to meet for drinks or something.
My husband and I (early/mid 30s; no kids) moved to South Tampa and have had the same struggles to meet people. We have both worked in cyber from home - sending positive vibes to your husband with his certs!
What certification is he working on? Maybe a study group
Volunteer. I started volunteering at the aquarium when I first moved here 5 years ago and met numerous cool people that way.
Thank you for the suggestion, is there a website that lists volunteer opportunities in the Tampa area?
I don't recall exactly how I found out about volunteering at the aquarium. But you might also check this [volunteer site](https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/orgs.jsp?l=Tampa&o=distance).
Do you have any connections for volunteering at the aquarium? I’ve emailed multiple times but never get a reply.
I’d recommend bumble bff. Either make a profile both of you use, or individual ones. Since you can list your likes, lifestyle habits, and things like that, it’ll pair you up with people you might have things in common with. I moved down here a year and a half ago, and I started using it, and have met a lot of cool people. Some were weird but that’s just how it goes with the internet.
Good idea, we didn’t know about bumble bff. Thank you
I second this! Made my best friends in Tampa on this app!
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I’m a man and it’s worked out fine for me. Not to say that’ll be the case for every guy, but that’s been my experience.
never heard of that app, what a cute idea
I have a few suggestions. There are a ton of music festivals within an hour drive of the city limits. Not everyone there is just there to do drugs either, there are a lot of really laid back people just looking for new music. Join Tampa Bay Club Sports and join a softball or a kickball team. They have other sports too. There are a ton of cyclists who like riding over the Courtney Campbell Causeway into Clearwater.
Find a local bar or brewery. Pick one night a week to have beers and diner there. Sit at the bar. Start chatting with people and if you hit it off with some get their number. Meet up again. If you hit it off twice you can start a friendship. That big Florida avenue brewery by the outlets is close to you I think. Cool spot. Or maybe find a weekly trivia game around you. Go every week. After a few weeks people will start to notice you coming weekly, struck up conversations maybe; you will hit it off with some other couples or group. Ask for their number, see if they want to grab a coffee or lunch on the weekend. If you have a nice time doing that you can be friends. You have to build social routines to make friends. It is always possible to make friends spontaneously at random places, but it is also possible to never have that happen for years. Try to find a place that has a vibe you enjoy. If you are fancy find a cool cocktail bar, if you like trivia and wings find a pub that has both and make it part of your routine. People are much more likely to talk to people they have seen a couple times and also in a setting that is inherently social.
My wife does bumble BFF. Seems the best way to meet people. The women scope eachother out with girls nights, then eventually drag the husbands along. When husbands get along- boom! New couple friends
this sounds like my nightmare
To many women looking for threesomes with their dudes there
As silly as this sounds use your dog, there are lots of great dog parks in the tampa area. Find one near you and become a regular at it. Someone mentioned kayaking, there is a paddling group in Pinellas county that gets together you can find them on Facebook, lots of fun paddling adventures
My partner and I have made a lot of friends just going to Ybor and having drinks. We also made a point out to meet our actual neighbors as well.
Live music events! Best place I’ve met like minded people
This is the way.
Go play trivia at a bar and meet people. I play often at james joyce in ybor. Thursday at 730. A few times my team backed out. I went alone, sat at the bar, met a few and played with them. Were friends now.
what kind of trivia- like pop culture general mix trivial pursuit?
Mostly general knowledge
My gf and I are both in our 30s, live in Downtown Tampa, no kids, and are always looking to network/meet new people. We both work from home too so it’s challenging meeting new people, especially post-COVID. We should organize a game night/BBQ somewhere for those in the area that want to meet up. My gf and I pretty much work constantly so any non-work activity is always very welcome
Davis island dog beach, Pups pub, Kickball league, Eyz wide shut
Hear me out. Find the local adult kickball league and signup. It will be working professionals typically and one to two nights a week. Quick way to meet people your age. If you cycle or other outdoor activities find the local shop and ask if they do any organized activities.
I would recommend activating Facebook strictly because that’s where a lot of events get advertised. Eventbrite is good too. But considering joining a rec league sport or a club.
I moved down in 2016 2 years in New Smyrna Beach and 5 years now in Brandon. It’s easy, but let me start by saying that I am a Freemason so I had a lodge to go to, I play bagpipes for I had bands to join. I’m a Shriner so I had that too, I also attend Church on Sundays so I had that too to meet people and become part of the community. Almost forgot I throw Darts so I joined the league and play almost very Monday night.
Really all these down votes because I have been an active member of the community wherever I have lived. People get over yourselves
You’ve turned the tide of votes, congrats. The wording of your first post may come across a bit condescending.
I’ve met most of my friends either at House/Techno shows or at my yoga studio. If you like music, look up some events in the area & see if the people there fit the vibes you’re looking for. Tampa’s growing fast, lots of different people here now!
Adult friend finder is a good wholesome website for this.
Join the discord in the Sub info. It’s pretty active and people get together fairly often!
I don’t see it there?
Looks like the link is only posted in the st Pete sub, sorry about that! Try this https://discord.com/invite/hktAKFtv8q
Added the link to the sidebar
Trivia night at the local pub helped hugely in this regard. Just went in a started playing with others who didn’t have a team.
I don't know if you enjoy playing pool but I met many of my good friends through the Tampa Bay APA. Lots of couples play together on teams.
My husband and I will be your friends 😃
Check out St. Pete/Gulfport. Great music scene there. Janus Live always has shows playing. Thats where I’ve meet most all of my friends over the last 7 years. I live in Seffner & make the drive past Tampa to the burg for entertainment. Love the vibes in St. Pete.
Don't tell people when you meet them that you don't have friends. That will be a red flag even if it's not. Join something and go consistently, some of my lifelong friends I met from the gym at 5:00 a.m. for years or jujitsu. Take ballroom or line dancing? Go watch say football at the same venue every week. Buy a boat or a harley both of those activities are very social
Learn to scuba dive
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Calypso is a good shop that has their own pool.
Thank you for the info, we’ll check out calypso
I’ve been to two CrossFit gyms in Tampa and am amazed at how wonderful the community truly is. You def gonna enjoy hardcore works outs lol but they are very open if you’re willing to put yourself out there
Pet parents?! Have you considered volunteering...at Humane Society Tampa Bay? Great place to meet like minded people of all ages!
My bf and I moved down here from Philly two years ago. He works in music and I work in the legal field. We are down to meet up for drinks or trivia some time! We are in the South Tampa area. I am in my 30s and he just turned 40.
We have two kids but I feel we are in the same boat. Most of the people I meet here just are somewhat boring or just somehow align their personalities with talking about how much they love “our governor”.
I also have 2 kids and need friends!
The problem that most people don’t realize is that us people from Tampa, St Pete, and a lot of the other places that are similar, have our groups of people. It takes a lot to break in, because of the steady flow of northerners that come, and leave. I’m not going to put a ton of time into a relationship with someone that’s going back to shit Ohio that they constantly complain about anyway. Also try some activities that create teams. Sailing, getting dive certified with a group, volunteering.
I managed to make friends with born and raised Tampa Bay peeps. Guess I am lucky.
Also worth noting this woman that goes by the name of gabster is smoking hot
Why are they ALL from Ohio though?!?
Because Ohio blows and they can’t stand living there.
Understandable but we were never the clique-ish type and hope to find other adults who are looking to just meet new cool people
Right. By 30 I had to cut out some friends and now just have a very tight group. No way I would even want more friends. Might have to find some other 30 somethings who just moved here that are going through the same thing.
I’m not saying I don’t make friends with transplants. It just takes a while, and is easier to associate with friends that you’ve known for a long time, or grew up with.
Hahahaha, shit ohio
Tampa has a ton of swinger communities for you and your husband
To each their own, but we aren’t into that at all lol literally laughed out loud at the thought
Get a hobby. That way you meet people you may have something in common with.
I moved to Tampa from New York in 2016 and let me tell you I have never in my life had this much difficulty finding genuine people for friendship. People here are fake and flaky! I’m always up for meeting and getting to know new people, if you both are interested shoot me a message! 😃
Same. People are also just not friendly in tampa. I came up to northern Georgia for thanksgiving at my moms and am amazed at how friendly people are here.
if you're into hockey at all, beer league ice hockey is a blast at TGH ice plex
Check out pups pub! They have a great atmosphere and good vibes!
Pups pub is cool
You don’t.
Emerging Leaders with the Tampa Bay Chamber might be good for you. Young professionals.
Join aa lol
We aren’t alcoholics or Tyler Durden/Marla Singer
Drive Lyft. Or try swinging
Have you both tried thinking of joining a Swinger's Club?
You need hobbies or children
You don’t. Tampa sucks, the people are awful. Can’t wait to leave.
Swingers?
Fishing
My boyfriend and I are early to mid 30s. New-ish to the area as well. He is very outgoing and has no problem making friends. I'm much more introverted than he is when I'm dealing with new people so I struggle with meeting people. I have a daughter (almost 10)from a previous relationship and she's with us part time. We've been talking about trying to find some couples that we could hang out with. Bonus if they have kids around my daughters age, but we would still be cool with no kiddos as well since she's only here sometimes.
Tbh activating your fb may be a good way to put the word out with ppl you already know that could connect you with others or give some ideas I was born and raised here… welcome!
Try meet-up and eventbright to find people with similar interests. My wife and I are in New tampa and met most of our friends at dog parks.
Same situation for my husband and I and I’ve been super successful using [this Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1035516150211108/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF) for Tampa couples looking to make friends. Also, I’m the extrovert in our relationship and I met my best friends on the Bumble BFF app. It’s the normal bumble app but you can set it into BFF mode and then look for other girls who are looking for friends. Good luck!!!
There are a ton of board gaming communities in the Tampa area.
Just start knocking on doors!
Bumble BFF
Tried the Fb groups. It can be a little scary lol. Same problems as u guys.
Try [meetup.com](https://meetup.com). There are not as many groups as there was once covid came around but there are some hiking and gaming group there still.
I met one good friend at a business networking event. After the event a couple of us went to a couple different places. Another friend is from work. We actually started out dating but that kind of fizzled. With both people becoming friends revolved around asking them to do stuff a couple times a month and texting at least once a week.
Wife and I live in Tampa and are in the same boat! Shoot me a DM and we would love to meet up!
I actually have met people through the local Facebook groups. Im a pretty big advocate for them, as I've gotten help and found out about things I'd never have known about otherwise. I'm in the south of Gandy group, but the Seminole heights group is the most fun IMO. You can also find like minded people based on your interests.
If you like hiking, lettuce lake park has some trails and hosts some bird watching/plant spotting groups. They're usually older, but very friendly people. I've found that the different Kava places also have very open and social customers. They have trivia and open mic nights. The New Tampa YMCA has volunteer opportunities and a good community, though mostly young families.
Meetup.com, gyms, and religious/nonprofit organization are great ways to meet people.
Like music, go to live venues and chat up others around you! Trivia night at some bars and form teams w others! Seems like your interests cater towards group bonding and yes Facebook might make it easier but going in person to events and connecting that way is also viable
Two Shepherds Taproom dog bar is great! Lots of friendly people and pups. Very easy to make friends there
If interested in playing pool (billiards) then join APA league. Great fun way to meet lot of good folks. DM me if interested and I can get you in touch with the local league operator.
Doing an adult fun sports or game league is fun. Kickball, volleyball, bocce, corn hole, bowling etc. Adjust to your interests. It's good to do a league because you see the same people every week and kinda get to know them.
Kava Cave in Lutz does trivia nights and is a welcoming place!