Melbourne · first time
What an Asian meetup in Melbourne is actually like
Plenty of people look up a Melbourne meetup and never go. Not because they do not want to, but because they cannot picture the room, and standing alone in a bar for an hour sounds worse than staying home. So here is the whole night, start to finish, with nothing dressed up.
Before you go
The event runs every second Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at La Di Da, 577 Little Bourke Street.
Check the latest Meetup listing for the current RSVP, entry and arrival details before you travel.
Meetup is also the current source for any venue-specific requirements.
Check before you travel
La Di Da is at 577 Little Bourke Street. Check Meetup for the current entrance and arrival details.
The night, hour by hour
6:00 pm — doors
Quiet, maybe fifteen people. If crowds drain you, this is the best time to turn up: you meet everyone gradually as they filter in, rather than walking into a full room.
6:15 to 6:45 pm — the easy window
Conversation is usually flowing by this point. If you want current arrival guidance, check the latest Meetup listing before you travel.
7:00 to 8:30 pm — the busy stretch
The fullest part of the evening. Recent Wednesdays have had around a hundred people booked in. Conversations run maybe ten or fifteen minutes before someone drifts off to the bar, and that drift is normal — it is not a sign anything went wrong. Most people end up talking to somewhere between five and ten others across the night.
After 8:30 pm — winding down
Thins out steadily. Some people swap contacts, some head for the train, a smaller group stays on. Leaving at any point is fine and nobody keeps score.
What people talk about
There are no icebreaker games, no going around a circle saying your name, and no forced pairing. It is a bar full of people who came to talk to someone new, and that is the whole format.
Openers that work every time: what you are eating and where you found it, how long you have been in the city, what you are studying or doing for work, and where you grew up. That last one goes a long way in this room, because plenty of people have a complicated answer to it — moved as a kid, grew up between two places, or are mixed heritage.
English is the shared language and it does not need to be good. A large share of the room is practising too, so people speak slowly, repeat themselves, and nobody makes a thing of it. You will also hear Mandarin, Japanese, Korean and Cantonese around the room, and switching mid-conversation is normal.
One thing the hosts are strict about: this is not a pickup night. Pressing someone for their number after they have made it clear they are not interested gets you removed, with no discussion. That rule is exactly why people are comfortable turning up on their own.
First timer questions
What time should I arrive at La Di Da?
The event runs every second Wednesday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Check Meetup for the current arrival details before travelling.
How do I find the room?
La Di Da is at 577 Little Bourke St. Check Meetup for the current entrance and arrival details.
What should I check before arriving?
Check the latest Meetup listing for the current RSVP, entry and arrival details.
What do people actually talk about?
Food, travel, where you grew up, what you are studying or doing for work, and what is worth watching. Nobody runs an icebreaker game and nobody makes you introduce yourself to the whole room.
How many people come on every second Wednesday?
Recent Melbourne nights have had around a hundred people RSVP. It is busy enough that you will not run out of people to meet, and you can step outside for air whenever you want.
Is it awkward if I leave early?
You can leave when you need to. Check Meetup for the current event time before planning your trip.
What if my English is not strong?
That is expected. A large share of the room is practising English too, so people speak slowly and repeat themselves without making it a thing.
What does it cost and do I need to book?
Check Meetup for the current RSVP and entry details before travelling.
Now you know the room
Every second Wednesday, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, at La Di Da, 577 Little Bourke St.