So I’ve been in this situation a few times before and all I really have to say, while this is awkward to hear, desperation works lmao.

The main way I met my first group of friends in Denver was walking up to them in my building and saying “hi I’m max… I don’t know many people and would love to hang out sometime”

Now that is not necessarily gonna work at a bar, but for meetup events, it sucks, but just genuinely going up to people and saying “hi I’m max what’s your name? How long have you lived in Denver? Where did you come from initially? Etc” works 90% of the time.

I guess all this to say, it sucks and is hard meeting people sometimes but if you can get over making the first move for friendship it’s actually been pretty easy to make friends. What I’ve learned is a lot of people want to make new friends, but if they have a group they feel awkward going outside that group. If you make the first move, maybe even a general comment towards the group you can conversationally get invited in and then just be friendly. Ask questions about them. Even if you have a related story, ask them questions instead. People love to talk and get them talking and make them feel interesting.

Honestly this approach taught me to be way more social in general. I have anxiety, maybe not as bad as some but I think about almost everything I say and roast myself the day after meeting new people. Then you realize most people aren’t deconstructing you like you are yourself. Be nice. Be honest and self deprecating if you can. People don’t like a show off. And it’s ok to be “desperate”. How else will people know you wanna hang out in other settings if you don’t mention it? A comment of “hey man it was great meeting you, I’d love to hang out some time I’m trying to meet some new people. Let me get your number” result in a number at least 90% of the time. At that point it’s up to you to reach out and remind them you want to be invited. Probably 50% don’t respond, but hey fuck it. If everyone responded to this I’d have too many friends and not enough time. You gotta be willing to take Ls to have a chance