u/Staceysabotage

I run a Long Island social group for adults who want to make friends and actually DO things together, and October has gotten delightfully weird.

Tomorrow we're literally meeting up to go pumpkin picking and turn it into a completely unnecessary competition. 🎃

Think pumpkin challenges, cider, donuts, photos, wandering around, and a group of adults taking agricultural activities significantly more seriously than required.

But that's kind of the point of the group.

We do a mix of:

• Suffolk meetups
• Nassau meetups
• occasional NYC adventures
• coffee / food hangs
• seasonal stuff
• craft meetups
• weird little local adventures
• movie nights
• anime nights
• game nights
• book club
• Discord-only events for people who don't always want to leave the house

And you absolutely do NOT need to come to everything.

You can join, lurk for a while, talk when you feel like it, come to one event every six months, show up alone, bring a partner, or just wait until something appears that makes you go "okay fine, THAT sounds fun."

A lot of people join because making adult friends on Long Island is weirdly difficult when you're no longer being automatically placed in a building with 300 people your age every day.

We're trying to make that part a little easier.

October alone has pumpkin picking, a thrift-store costume challenge, cryptid field research, paranormal Long Island stuff, an NYC weird-things side quest, online Halloween activities, movie/anime/game nights, and a Halloween costume hangout.

We're 18+ and the server is meant to be friendly, low-pressure and actually local.

If you're from Suffolk, Nassau, Queens/NYC or close enough that you'd realistically come hang out with Long Islanders, you're welcome.

Discord:

https://discord.gg/WQkAnWCTtw

And if Discord isn't normally your thing but one of the IRL meetups catches your attention, you can message me here too.

Also because I know somebody will ask:

YES, showing up to a meetup alone is normal.

That's basically the entire reason this exists. 😂

If you’ve been wanting to meet more people on Long Island but every suggestion seems to be either “go to a bar” or “join a run club,” hi. We’re doing something different.

We’re a Long Island social Discord for adults who want actual things to do and people to do them with. We have members across Suffolk and Nassau, and we also make occasional trips into NYC.

October’s theme is:

WHIMSY MODE: ENGAGED.

Basically: spooky season, weird adventures, fall stuff, creative nonsense, local oddities, costumes, games, food, and events where there’s an actual activity to focus on instead of being dropped into a room and expected to magically make friends.

Here’s what we’ve got happening this month:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
CABINET OF CURIOSITIES CRAWL
Manhattan • 1:00 PM
We’re heading into NYC for weird shops, strange objects, curiosities, wandering, photo missions, food, and anything else that makes the group collectively stop and ask, “What the hell is that?”

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
PUMPKIN PICKING, BUT MAKE IT COMPETITIVE
Suffolk County • 1:30 PM
Yes, we could simply go pumpkin picking like normal adults.
We will not.
Pumpkins, cider, donuts, fall farm stuff, and a series of completely unnecessary pumpkin-related challenges.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15
$20 THRIFT STORE COSTUME ROULETTE
Nassau County • 6:30 PM
You get $20.
You get one thrift store.
You have to somehow turn whatever you find into a costume/look.
Whether the result is fashionable, cursed, or both is between you and the thrift store gods.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
CRYPTID FIELD RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
Suffolk County • 3:00 PM
A fall nature walk conducted with the seriousness of a federally funded paranormal investigation.
Bigfoot?
Probably not.
Suspiciously large raccoon?
DOCUMENT IT.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
PARANORMAL NASSAU: LEGENDS & LORE NIGHT
Nassau County • 6:30 PM
An evening built around strange local history, folklore, creepy stories, and Long Island places that feel slightly different once the sun goes down.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
NYC SIDE QUEST: WEIRD NEW YORK
Manhattan • 1:00 PM
Basically a giant wandering side quest.
We’ll be hunting for weird architecture, gargoyles, suspicious doors, unusual signs, tiny details people normally walk past, ridiculous photo opportunities, and anything else that earns points solely because we decided it should.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
WHIMSY & WEIRDNESS: THE COSTUME HANGOUT
Suffolk County • 6:00 PM
This is the big October finale.
Costumes.
Themed snacks.
Games.
Photos.
Ghost stories.
Weird little activities.
Ridiculous costume categories.

And, most importantly, somebody will receive the prestigious:

“I HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS” AWARD.

Costumes are encouraged, not required. You can absolutely show up in a Halloween sweater and just hang out.

And that’s only the in-person stuff.

We also have regular virtual activities throughout the month:

• Sunday Movie Nights
• Wednesday Anime Nights
• Friday Game Nights
• October Book Club
• Halloween digital decorating
• random conversation nights
• spooky/fall prompts
• our month-long Whimsy Board side quests
October’s book club pick is The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix.

We’re reading it throughout the month, so nobody needs to destroy their sleep schedule trying to finish it in three days.

We also have a month-long Whimsy Board with optional little challenges like finding something that looks haunted, spotting aggressively decorated houses, doing tiny fall adventures, making something weird, giving your pet an unnecessary Halloween title, finding Long Island oddities, etc.

You can participate in those even if you never leave your house.

A couple things about us because I know joining an established group can feel awkward:

You absolutely can come alone.
A lot of people do.
You do not need to already know anybody.
You do not need to attend every event.
You do not need to be super outgoing.
You can join the server, lurk for a while, talk when something catches your attention, come to one meetup six weeks from now, or immediately decide you desperately need to participate in a cryptid investigation.

We have quieter people, louder people, gamers, anime people, artsy people, outdoorsy people, food people, people who mostly show up for events, and people who mostly hang out online.

The whole point is having enough variety that you can find YOUR way into the group.

We also deliberately move events around.

Suffolk gets events.
Nassau gets events.
NYC gets adventures.

We’re not trying to run a “Long Island” group where somehow every meetup happens in the same five-mile radius forever.

For IRL events, we post detailed information beforehand including timing, cost, parking, what to bring, what to wear, food plans, accessibility notes, weather plans, and carpool information when available.

So if you’re the kind of person who needs to know exactly what the hell is happening before agreeing to go somewhere:

same.

If you’re somewhere in your 20s/30s/40s on Long Island thinking, “I really need more people to actually DO things with,” this is exactly what we’re trying to build.

Come hang out.

Discord:

https://discord.gg/c4ZJzUtpB

You can also comment/message me if you have questions before joining.

And if your first contribution to the group is identifying an unusually large raccoon as a potential cryptid, you’ll fit in just fine.

A few of us from a Long Island social group are doing a Cryptid Field Research Department meetup at Calverton Ponds Preserve on Saturday, October 17 at 3 PM.

It’s basically a normal fall nature walk, except we’re going to take it way too seriously.

We’re making little field research sheets and looking for animal tracks, weird trees, suspicious hiding places, unexplained noises, questionable wildlife activity, and anything else we can photograph and classify as potential “evidence.”

Bigfoot is probably not hanging out in Manorville.
A raccoon that looks slightly larger than expected, however, will be investigated thoroughly.

We’re also doing photo challenges and some extremely scientifically questionable awards at the end.
It’s free and you don’t need to know anything about cryptids or hiking. This is much more casual fall walk + goofy activity than serious hiking expedition.

New people are absolutely welcome, including anyone coming alone. That’s actually one of the reasons I like doing activity-based meetups like this because there’s immediately something for everyone to do/talk about instead of just walking into a room full of strangers.

Saturday, October 17
3:00 PM
Calverton Ponds Preserve, Manorville
Free
About 2 hours
3 person minimum / 12 maximum

There are also 2 carpool seats available from the Mastic Beach area.

Since this is a real preserve, we’re keeping the nonsense responsible: staying on the trails, photographing evidence instead of touching/collecting anything, and leaving the wildlife alone.

We’re organizing RSVPs through our Long Island Discord so everyone gets the exact meeting location, weather updates, carpool information, and day-of details:

https://discord.gg/2KvDC3uyM

If you’re interested but don’t use Discord, feel free to message me here too.

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for all of Long Island from 2:00 PM Friday through 6:00 AM Sunday.

Current projections include several inches of rain, widespread 40–50 mph gusts with isolated gusts near 55 mph, coastal flooding, beach erosion, difficult travel, and possible scattered power outages.

Our community has canceled outdoor meetups in Sea Cliff and Sayville because both were planned at waterfront parks during the Coastal Flood Warning.

Before conditions worsen:

- Charge phones and power banks
- Bring in or secure outdoor objects
- Move vehicles from flood-prone areas
- Check flashlights and batteries
- Bring pets inside
- Avoid beaches and shoreline parks
- Never drive through flooded roads

What part of Long Island are you in, and what are conditions like where you are?

Official updates:
https://www.weather.gov/okx/

Hey! I run a Long Island social group and we’re doing a free little beginner household-skills meetup in Mastic Beach on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 PM.

The theme is:

🔧 Fix It Without Calling Dad

Basically, all the tiny home-maintenance things people somehow expect you to know without anyone actually teaching you.

We’re going over:

How to actually read a tape measure
Phillips vs. flathead screwdrivers + choosing the right size
Screws, bolts, nuts, washers, and anchors
Tightening loose handles/hardware
Measuring and hanging something evenly
Basic minor-clog troubleshooting
What should be in a starter toolbox
The very important skill of recognizing when you should stop touching something and call a professional 😂

This is specifically meant for beginners, so there’s absolutely no expectation that you already know this stuff.
No tools needed and there’s no cost.

We’re also not doing anything wild like live electrical work, power tools, major plumbing, or practicing repairs on the library. Everything is simple hands-on practice/demonstration.

Thursday, Sept. 24
6:30–8:15 PM
Mastic Beach
Free

We’re aiming for around 8–10 people and keeping it fairly small so everyone can actually participate.

Our group organizes RSVPs through Discord, so if you’d like to come, you can join us here:

https://discord.gg/2KvDC3uyM

If you’re nervous about showing up without knowing anybody, that’s completely fine too. A lot of people have come to our events for the first time solo, and the activity gives us something to do together instead of everyone having to make small talk for two hours.

Also, if you’ve got a hilariously basic household skill that took you way too long to learn, tell me what it was. I may quietly steal it for the lesson plan. 😂

A few of us from a Long Island social group are getting together for Labyrinth: In Concert at The Paramount in Huntington on Wednesday 9/23, and we're opening it up in case anyone here has been looking for something to do / people to meet.

They're showing Jim Henson's Labyrinth for the 40th anniversary with a live band performing the soundtrack in sync with the movie and David Bowie's original vocals.

We're meeting in Huntington around 5:30 PM for dinner before the show. Doors are at 7 and the show starts at 8.

Everyone buys their own concert ticket, so this isn't a paid group event or anything like that. People who already bought tickets are posting their sections/rows in our event thread so anyone buying now can try to sit nearby if seats are still available.

Also: coming alone is completely fine.

Actually, I'd especially encourage people who keep seeing meetup posts and thinking "I'd go if I knew somebody." You don't need to know us beforehand. That's kind of the point.

Our group has people from around Long Island and we regularly do things like movie/anime/game nights, crafts, workshops, outdoor stuff, weird LI outings and other meetups.

And no, you absolutely do not have to dress up for this.

Although I will not discourage anyone from arriving with concerning amounts of Goblin King energy.

If you're interested, join us here and look for the 9/23 Labyrinth event:

https://discord.gg/2KvDC3uyM

Wednesday 9/23
The Paramount — Huntington
Pre-show meetup: 5:30 PM
Doors: 7:00 PM
Show: 8:00 PM

Feel free to comment or message if you're nervous about coming alone or have questions before joining.

I was thinking about all the random things people keep in their cars “just in case.”

What is one item you’ve actually used during an unexpected situation?

Jumper cables? A flashlight? Blanket? Phone charger? First-aid kit? Paper towels? Emergency snacks?

Looking for practical answers rather than a giant apocalypse-preparation list. What earned its permanent place in your car?

I run a Long Island social Discord, and we’re putting together a very beginner-friendly Craft Roulette Café meetup next Thursday.

Thursday, September 17
6:00–8:00 PM
Panera Bread
11 Commerce Drive, Riverhead

We’ll spend about 15 minutes trying each of six tiny crafts:

Crochet
Origami
Watercolor
Embroidery
Collage
Bookmark making

No experience is needed, and nobody is expected to leave with six flawless creations. The point is to sample a few things without buying an entire craft store’s worth of supplies first.

The meetup is free, and the basic craft materials will be provided. Everyone should plan to purchase their own food or drink from Panera.

This will be a small group with a maximum of eight confirmed attendees so everyone has enough supplies and actual help. Older children may participate with a supervising adult. Two carpool seats may also be available from Mastic Beach, with pickup options in Shirley and Manorville.

The final RSVP deadline is Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 PM.

To RSVP, join the Discord and look for:

09/17 Craft Roulette Café • Riverhead • 6:00 PM

Discord invite: https://discord.gg/2KvDC3uyM

Please complete the emoji RSVP in the event thread after joining. A comment or upvote on Reddit won’t reserve one of the eight spots.

This is an independently organized community meetup and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Panera.

Hi everyone! I run a Long Island social Discord, and our September theme is:

**Learn Something, Together**

The idea is to get people out of the usual “let’s meet at a bar” routine and try some beginner-friendly workshops, useful skills, creative activities, and slightly weird Long Island knowledge together.

No experience is expected. Most of us will be learning as we go.

Here’s what we currently have coming up:

**Thursday, September 10 at 6:30 PM**
**How to Survive the Hamptons Traffic Vortex**
Patchogue
A practical route-planning meetup covering traffic patterns, realistic buffers, alternate routes, emergency stops, and the deeply specific knowledge required to travel east without losing your mind.

**Saturday, September 12 at 2:30 PM**
**Knots, Fixes & Useful Little Things**
Belmont Lake State Park
We’ll learn a dependable knot, basic repairs, car-packing tricks, multitool safety, and how to build a glove-box emergency kit.

**Thursday, September 17 at 6:00 PM**
**Craft Roulette Café**
Riverhead
Short beginner lessons in things like crochet, origami, watercolor, embroidery, collage, and bookmark making. Members with experience are also welcome to lead a mini station.

**Saturday, September 19 at 7:00 PM**
**The “Pretend It Was Empowering” Pottery Workshop**
St. James
A beginner pottery night for people willing to make something questionable and call the experience personal growth.

**Wednesday, September 23 at 5:30 PM**
**Labyrinth: In Concert**
Huntington
We’re meeting before the show, attending together, and making a full evening out of it.

**Saturday, September 26 at 2:00 PM**
**The Great Long Island Skill Swap**
Sayville
Members will teach short 10–15-minute lessons in something useful, creative, or hilariously specific.

We also have weekly virtual events:

- Teach Me Tuesday
- Anime Night on Wednesdays
- Game Night on Fridays
- Movie Night on Sundays

Our group includes people from across Suffolk and Nassau. New members are welcome, and coming alone is completely normal.

The only thing we ask is that people RSVP early and honestly. Some events require supplies, reservations, carpools, or a minimum group size, so waiting until the last minute can cause something to be cancelled before interested people ever commit.

If you’d like the Discord invite or details for a specific event, comment or message me.