Making friends in Abq (Albuquerque, House: 2009, hotels, house)

[Aliciac]

Hi everyone-
Just wondering if there are any groups on here? Like for couples? My husband and I are looking to make new friends. We are in our 30s, love country music (as well as others), football, camping/hunting and we have a son in middle school. It seems everytime we meet people at the bars they are drug users and we aren't interested in that. Just wondering if there is a group on here that meets up. (not interested in meetup.com)
thanks!

[abqsunport]

Ah making friends can be tough...rest assured, you have simply been looking in the wrong places: bars.

If you like Country Music, you should try country western dancing. Here are some suggestions:
Cowboys Night Club "Cowboys Night Club" Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA 505-299-4559
Graham Central Station on Montgomery
Tumbleweeds on Central (haven't been there in a really long time though)

Perhaps "Higher End Bars"
Piano Bar at Marcellos Chop House (ABQ Uptown)
Zincs (Nob Hill)
I have always enjoyed Fox and Hound on Jefferson
Gruet's Bar (Upstairs, Nob Hill)
Night Club at Sandia Casino and Bar at Top Floor (Bien Shur)
I have met some good people at Spectators and Coaches.

I don't know if you are religious people, but most Churches have social events where you might be able to make friends.

Do you play any sports: Check out adult/ men's league baseball/softball, Men's Soccer, etc.
Join a local gym and try to meet people.

Meet your kid's friends parents. Just give time, and I think you will be alright.

[abqsunport]

G.C.S. - Albuquerque, NM

[abqff]

Aliciac, just get involved in what you guys like to do and the friends will find you. If you like hunting go to Sportsmans and get involved in the next event. Couple weeks ago they had a varmit calling competition and over 200 people showed up. Share an interest in what they love to do and you will find good friends are all around you. I would never recommend meeting people at bars/clubs. Now the bar inside PF Changs at 5-7pm is different as that is where a lot of professionals go after work for dinner and conversation. I have met a lot of people there who I have become friends with. Good luck, Jim

[Aliciac]

abqff- thanks, I didn't even know that Sportsmans had stuff like that, I'm sure my husband would love it.

abqsunport- in case you didn't know, Cowboys is closed. We frequent Grahams and after 3 years not much luck with the cliques at that place. And Tumbleweeds? One word...Ewwwww. lol

thank you I guess we'll keep searching.

[manquaman]

It's funny, and I am not trying to be sarcastic, but some people say not to try bars and then recommend a "good bar" to go to.

I have a couple of suggestions. If family is important to you, get involved in your son's school activities. This will allow you to combine meeting people who also have similar interests, namely your children. Go to school plays, the PTA, or any activity that involves both parents. Chances are you can strike up a conversation with people who not only live close to you but share similar family values.

The other suggestion I have is to dine out in busy restaurants that serve food at the bar. I am not suggesting places that have hotels around because you will meet people from out of town. I am talking about a nice neighborhood restaurant, even if it is out of the way. Eating at a bar is one of the best way to meet people because it is such a social situation.

Go to the library and pick up a copy of The Albuquerque Magazine (the restaurant review copy - May 2008) and find good restaurants that fit your taste. Call and talk to the bartender; ask if they have a good local crowd that eats at the bar. A good bartender will have a local following and give you suggestions. Personally, I would try Gruet Steak house, Savoy, or Zinc Wine bar. Wine tastings are good places to meet people who can be more mature in their lifestyle preferences.

[RamblinRoseRanch]

Aliciac, too bad we're not already there. We share similar interests. If you can still make a new friend in March... lol

[Aliciac]

Manquaman- I agree about the bars/club thing! We are going to school events and just taking it from there. It seems that a lot of the other parents with kids ours age, are way older. Guess starting family at early 20s is unusual! LOL

RamblinRoseRanch- I will wait for you!!! hee hee, not like new friends are throwing themselves at me...

[RamblinRoseRanch]

It's a deal!

You think starting a family in early 20s puts you in a *lonely* position- try starting one at sixteen. I get some funny looks introducing our sixteen year old as my sixteen year old daughter. "How old are you anyway?!?!" is the most common comment. :-)

My intentions when we get there are to find other people interested in the things we are. We're very active in our state's largest horse rescue (board members and volunteers- my husband is actually the president for 2009) so horse rescue people will be my first *stop*, I guess.

Are there any organizations that y'all are interested in?

[Aliciac]

Well currently we aren't involved in any organizations. It's something we'd like to look into but really don't really know how. Or where to start. We have lots of interests. My husband is a hunter, just went a few weeks ago and got a male elk. We go camping a lot in the summer, anything to get outdoors when the weather is nice and warm. He rode in the rodeo when he was younger and is still my cowboy. We try to get to a couple rodeos durning the summer/fall. I'm a California beach girl turned country bumpkin after 13 years in NM and usually up for anything as long as it isn't illegal or jumping from heights! I'll leave that to my husband! LOL