Image via Bab Initiative
When you're a new member of the adult community, you are prone to feeling a little left out, like you don't belong anywhere, as the only interests you have had up until now have been your interests as a teenager.
It's only natural to feel like a fish out of water who can't seem to get along with anyone, but not to worry —eventually, you can start fresh and find a community or group that feels like home.
Whether you're looking for a temporary or lifelong group, here are five activities that can actually help you make friends.
Bab Initiative
Bab, named after the Arabic word for "door", is a community hub in Maadi registered with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, dedicated to creating an open, welcoming space for everyone. Its mission is to foster meaningful connections and nurture an inclusive environment where people can learn, socialise, and grow together.
Powered entirely by volunteers who pour their time, talent, and heart into every programme, Bab thrives on generosity and community spirit. The centre offers a rich mix of gatherings, workshops, and casual meetups, making it a place where all ages and backgrounds can find something inspiring or simply enjoy good company.
You can find Bab at its new home on the second floor of 9 Al Kanal Street in Maadi; just look for the orange door next to the elevator. For more details and updates on activities, visit their calendar here.
Alwan NGO
The Alwan Foundation is a cultural and artistic non-profit organisation founded in 2012 and officially registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs. The foundation is dedicated to inspiring positive social change through the arts, fostering values of equality, justice, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence.
These principles form the backbone of Alwan's mission to help build an open and welcoming society. Alwan focuses on empowering young people by providing an independent, creative space where they can freely express themselves and engage with culture. To bring its vision to life, the foundation launches a range of impactful workshops exploring themes such as eco-friendly art practices. It is located in Downtown.
Qahrawya
Qahrawya is an organisation that offers group walking tours of various places in Cairo, showcasing how interesting, diverse, and fun Cairo's urban scene is. Their November tours include, for example, an El-Gezira art tour and a City of the Dead tour. You can inquire about their prices and dates through their Instagram by clicking here.
Egycon
If you're into gaming and anime, this one is for you. The Egyptian cosplaying community is anything but small. Many adults attend Egycon events and enjoy the costumes, games, anime merch bazaar, and all the contests, which can be about your knowledge of anime or your costume.
There are two main events each year: the Cairo cosplay party, held in the autumn, and Egycon, held during winter. These events are a great way to meet people who share your interests and are also going solely to have fun and meet new people. See photos and videos of their latest event here.
Carnivalia Entertainment Theatre
If you are fascinated by musical theatre and are sad that these Broadway shows never tour in Egypt, how about you become a part of them instead?
Carnivalia Entertainment Theatre is an Egyptian theatre group specialising in staging musical shows from movies and Broadway here in Egypt. They offer singing, acting, and dancing workshops, and best of all, you get to meet people who love the arts just as much as you do.
