logo
Cool Adult Clubs in Memphis: Find Your People in the 901

Cool Adult Clubs in Memphis: Find Your People in the 901

Style Blueprint3 days ago

Share with your friends!
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Email
Flipboard
Reddit
New to town or looking to expand your circle? Whether you are an introvert, an extrovert, or something in between, finding like-minded people who share your passions is easier than you might think. From stimulating book chats and competitive runs to gardening workshops and game nights, Memphis offers an array of groups you can join to connect with new friends through shared interests!
For Book Lovers
A Novel Book Club
More Info: novelmemphis.com
Tucked inside the beloved East Memphis indie bookstore, this club hosts monthly discussions that go deep. Expect a mix of genres, themed reads, and the occasional guest author. Anyone is welcome — no registration required — and members help choose future reading selections. Bonus: You can grab coffee and browse for more books while you're there!
Memphis Public Library Book Clubs
More Info: memphislibrary.org
Several local library branches run themed clubs open to the public, covering topics ranging from mystery to memoir. Many also offer virtual options, host speakers, and hold special events tied to each book's theme.
Memphis Girls Book Club
More Info: memphisgirlsbookclub.com
Founded in 2023 to foster literacy and community among girls who share a passion for reading, this fun, intimate book club hosts monthly meetings and mini-meets at spots around town. The goal is to provide a haven for women to explore new books, find new friends, and give back to the community. The group even has an online platform for members to connect and engage.
Pin
The New Romantics Book Club
More Info: Instagram
Run by spunky twin sisters, Stacey and Steph, this club is perfect for hopeless romantics, avid chick-flick watchers, and readers who love stories that end in a kiss. The group shares its monthly book picks via Instagram and hosts live reading sprints each weekend on its YouTube channel, along with a live book discussion at the end of each month.
Pin
Silent Book Club – Memphis Chapter
More Info: memphis.librarycalendar.com
Not a fan of structured discussions? The Silent Book Club is for you. The club, dubbed the 'Introvert Happy Hour,' is a no-pressure way to enjoy reading together — quietly. Meet at a cozy venue with your book of choice, read in silence, and chat afterward (or not). No assigned reading or small talk required!
For the Movers & Shakers
Memphis Runners Track Club
More Info: ticketsignup.io
One of the largest and most active running clubs in the South, the nonprofit MRTC promotes health and fitness through amateur road racing, cross-country, and track — all in the spirit of fun and competition. This club isn't just for marathoners; all levels are welcome! Join weekly group runs, training programs, fun events like 'Brew Runs,' and the club's annual Road Race Series.
Pin
Grind City Cycling
More Info: Instagram
Love biking? Whether you're into scenic city rides or off-road adventures, this club offers organized routes, trail exploration, and social rides across Memphis and the Mid-South with other cycling enthusiasts. It even sponsors charity events like the annual Paint The Streets Pink ride, which raises money for breast cancer research and awareness.
Outdoor Adventures Meetup
More Info: meetup.com
Want to get out of the city and into nature? This outdoor-centric meetup group has a calendar full of adventures you can sign up for, from kayaking and canoeing to hiking, camping, and backpacking. Get to know other nature buffs and explore natural treasures in Memphis and the surrounding area.
For Green Thumbs & Creatives
Memphis Area Master Gardeners
More Info: memphisareamastergardeners.org
Backed by the University of Tennessee Extension, the group allows gardeners (and aspiring gardeners) to take workshops, join community projects, and swap tips with fellow gardeners. You can train to become a certified master gardener — or just learn how to keep your succulents from wilting.
Pin
Memphis Herb Society
More Info: Instagram
For those intrigued by culinary, medicinal, or decorative herbs, this club dives into everything herbal: cooking, medicine, landscaping, and crafts. Meetings, which take plaoccur at the Memphis Botanic Garden, include hands-on demos, tastings, and talks by expert herbalists.
MidSouth Makers
More Info: midsouthmakers.org
Part hackerspace, part creative collective, MidSouthMakers in East Memphis is a hub for DIYers, hosting regular classes, workshops, and open studio nights. The collaborative space caters to diverse interests, from 3D printing and electronics to woodworking and stained glass, to bring builders, tinkerers, artists, and makers together under one roof.
Pin
For the Quirky & Curious
Memphis Chess Club
More Info: memphischessclub.com
Founded in 1877, this downtown club has been reinvented into a café, social club, and tournament space all in one, bringing new life to a classic game. You don't need to be the next Bobby Fischer to join — it's open to all skill levels. Drop in to play casually or competitively, take lessons, or just sip coffee (or cocktails) while watching others strategize. If chess isn't your thing, the club is stocked with loads of other board games, including Monopoly and checkers.
Pin
Memphis Board Game Group
More Info: Facebook
Hosted at rotating bars, cafes, and game stores throughout Memphis, this casual group welcomes tabletop gamers of all experience levels. Expect to find everything from blackjack to Dungeons & Dragons. Play new games, meet fellow gamers, and learn from seasoned players in a relaxed setting.
Toastmasters Memphis
More Info: memphisadvanced.toastmastersclubs.org
Are you looking to polish your public speaking or leadership skills? Multiple Toastmasters groups meet weekly across the city, offering a supportive environment to practice and build confidence.
Ready to join? Most clubs are open to newcomers and host events year-round. Check out their websites or social media for current meet-ups and sign-up details.
Here's to meeting new people!
**********
To stay in the know on the best of the South, subscribe to our daily emails!
About the Author Emily McMackin
Emily McMackin Dye is an Alabama native and Tennessee transplant, who recently moved to Memphis from Nashville. A freelance writer, she enjoys exploring history, culture, and the lifestyle scene surrounding her new home in The Bluff City.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

For Winnipeg mural artist, blank space is her happy place
For Winnipeg mural artist, blank space is her happy place

Winnipeg Free Press

timean hour ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

For Winnipeg mural artist, blank space is her happy place

Rachel Lancaster has a thing for blank walls — she can't drive past one without wanting to leave her mark on it. The mural artist is always on the search for the perfect canvas and, when she sees a wall she likes, she doesn't think twice before offering her painting services. 'That happens all the time. I've driven past a wall and wanted to paint it…. I will find the company and contact them. I always do it; why not? When you run your own small business you do whatever,' she says, laughing. Photos by Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Mural artist Rachel Lancaster creates huge artworks to fill empty spaces and has painted walls, garage doors and the exteriors of sea containers. There's one in particular she can't get out of her mind — an exterior wall belonging to Local Public Eatery, a downtown restaurant/bar on Garry Street. 'They have a beautiful white wall that faces a big parking lot. It's ideal for a mural — a mural is meant to be viewed from way back, because people then have enough room to look at it (properly),' she says. Lancaster been painting murals for almost 15 years now. It was a side gig when she first started. She would take on commissions in the evenings and on weekends, jumping in her car — always packed with brushes and paints — to create for as long as she could. 'I didn't have kids back then so I would paint all weekend. I never hung out, I just painted,' she says. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck and Lancaster, an event co-ordinator, lost her job. She took on more painting gigs, assuming she'd return to her previous role when things settled down, but she never did. By then she was also pregnant, which spurred her decision to become a professional artist. 'Life had another plan and I just went with it and whatever happened, happened,' she says. Five years later and Lancaster now has a clothing line, she's designed colouring books and she has just written and illustrated her first children's book, posting her latest endeavours on her Instagram account, @rachel_lancaster_artist. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Lancaster's tools of her trade — painting brushes and palettes. But murals remain her main focus. These days the artist is often booked two to three months in advance and has travelled throughout the province and beyond for painting commissions. The dream now is to go further afield. 'I've gone all over Manitoba, I've painted in Saskatchewan and in Ontario and up north in The Pas. I will travel worldwide to paint; I have a 10-year bucket list for my business and one of the things I want to paint is a really large wall in New York City,' she says. Lancaster paints on any kind of wall surface — stucco, brick, metal, wood, drywall, shipping container — and accepts both indoor and outdoor commissions. Her outdoor mural season usually runs from May to October while indoor mural painting extends from November to the following spring. She often rents a lift for taller buildings — she recently completed a mural on a six-storey apartment complex in Osborne Village — or uses an extension ladder for two-storey structures. Monthly What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. An email with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing. It's a physically demanding job, especially in the summer when she has to climb up and down ladders, sometimes up to 60 times per mural. She doesn't take on extra help either. The job suits her lifestyle and her personality. It feels, she says, like something she is meant to be doing. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Lancaster finishes up a large mural on the side of a garage in a Winnipeg backyard. 'I love it. It's unlike anything else. When I was working in an office I would finish my work then stare at the clock. I would pace, I would go into different offices to chit-chat. I thought this was how life was, this was how work was meant to be. 'But this doesn't feel like work. The more I do it, the more I fall in love with it. I am in charge of my own schedule. I don't look at the clock, I don't take breaks, I don't stop for lunch. I just paint and then I go home when I'm done. It's blissful,' she says. AV KitchingReporter AV Kitching is an arts and life writer at the Free Press. She has been a journalist for more than two decades and has worked across three continents writing about people, travel, food, and fashion. Read more about AV. Every piece of reporting AV produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Turn books into mushrooms — like magic
Turn books into mushrooms — like magic

Winnipeg Free Press

time7 hours ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

Turn books into mushrooms — like magic

Raymond Lyttle would disappear into the wizardly world of Harry Potter any chance he could get in elementary school. He recalls being eight years old, burrowing into a haskap bush at recess and cracking open one of the books to escape the bullying he experienced at school as a closeted queer child. Lyttle would open one button on his winter jacket, just wide enough to get one hand through and flip the pages so he could avoid getting frostbite. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Oh Doughnuts owner Amanda Kinden was inspired to repurpose Harry Potter books into something delicious. 'I fell in love with reading pretty quickly and would burn through books voraciously. I found it to be a really safe place,' Lyttle says. He read the entire series — seven books published between 1997 and 2007 — nine times in order; he's lost count how many times out of order. The relationships between child wizard Harry Potter and the other characters, and the familiarity of the world created by British author J.K. Rowling, kept Lyttle coming back for more. But when Rowling's focus shifted from being a writer to campaigning against the transgender community, Lyttle, a 24-year-old trans man, says he couldn't return to the books and support the author who was attacking his identity. 'It felt sort of like learning that a place that you had cared about as a young person had burned down or had somehow became desecrated. Whatever value was there, I could never go back to that in the same way,' he says. He removed all the books from his home, giving them to someone else so they could read them without financially supporting Rowling. On Sunday, Winnipeg shop Oh Doughnuts will take the rejection of Rowling's work in a new direction, hosting a workshop called Turf the TERF, where people can bring any unwanted Harry Potter books to its 326 Broadway location and learn how grow edible oyster mushrooms on them. TERF, which stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminist, is a term used to refer to a group of feminists who refuse to recognize trans women as sisters and reject their inclusion in women's spaces. Rowling's first foray into the anti-trans movement was when she 'absent-mindedly liked' a post on X (then Twitter) calling trans women 'men in dresses' in 2018. That snowballed into years of posts, reposts and comments targeting and attacking the trans community, earning her the TERF label. Oh Doughnuts owner Amanda Kinden was inspired to host the event by a post from the U.K.-based Instagram account which hosted a similar workshop in May to protest Rowling. While Kinden hasn't read the Harry Potter books herself, her partner grew up reading the series, but became 'very conflicted' when the author started ramping up her anti-trans rhetoric. 'Let's make something productive and delicious out of something that maybe was created with a bit of hate towards trans folks,' Kinden says. Kinden connected with Tom Nagy of River City Mushrooms, who sells mushrooms and grow kits, to throw their own event to decompose the Harry Potter books while raising awareness about the ways Rowling is harming the trans community. Instagram An a U.K. event hosted by books were made into mushroom grow kits. Growing mushrooms from books isn't a new trend, Nagy explains. A waterlogged old paperback novel can break down the same way as a damp, rotten log and create the perfect conditions for fungi. The metaphor of the process isn't lost on Nagy. He views mushrooms as nature's recycling program and as symbols for the cyclical nature of life and death. 'They're essentially initiating the future by decomposing the past. You're taking a perspective or ideology that doesn't really match with what people are realizing about human nature and society and transforming it into something different,' he says. Hearing about the Turf the TERF event, Mavis Reimer, a University of Winnipeg English professor and the director for the Centre for Research in Young People's Texts and Cultures, chuckles. 'It strikes me as a really smart protest. It's a gentle and pretty peaceful protest,' says Reimer, who studies children's literature and its impact on media and pop culture. Destroying books has been a routine protest against literature throughout history. When Indian-British author Salman Rushdie published The Satanic Verses in 1988, it ignited book burnings, death threats and protests across the Muslim world, owing to its perceived blasphemy. However, Reimer sees the mushroom workshop as a nuanced revision of book protests. While book burnings are usually spearheaded by people holding power to create a spectacle that can instil fear in onlookers, she says this protest focuses on repurposing and recycling the books. 'Growing is such a quiet metaphor, and it's a slow metaphor, and it's a metaphor of changing something into something else. When you use the books to grow mushrooms, those particular physical books are destroyed, but they're actually commuted and transformed into something else,' she says. 'Gardening with Harry Potter books is different to burning Harry Potter books.' Strong reactions such as this happen because words and stories are powerful, says Reimer. Often in children's literature, a book's author is more connected to the text than other genres, as authors often do readings in schools and book talks aimed at kids when a new novel is released, she says. It's difficult to separate the art from the artist when someone with Rowling's notoriety doesn't try to distance herself from the franchise — especially financially, Reimer says. Celebrity culture blurs the lines even more; Rowling was an early adopter of social media channels and has a following of millions of people. Instagram An edition of Harry Potter is prepped to eventually sprout mushrooms at a U.K. event. Kinden says she can't separate Rowling from her work because the author has dedicated money earned from the Harry Potter franchise to take away trans rights. In response to a 2022 comment criticizing her transphobic stances, Rowling posted on X: 'I read my most recent royalty cheques and find the pain goes away pretty quickly.' Rowling also began using the wealth generated from her books to influence policy. When the author introduced the spellbinding world of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997, it was met with meteoric success. The franchise spawned online fandoms, video games and films — all of which fed into the commercial success of the books; Rowling has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, according to Forbes. In 2024, U.K. newspaper The Telegraph reported Rowling donated at least 70,000 pounds to For Women Scotland, an anti-trans feminist group, when it challenged a U.K. Supreme Court ruling that said biological men could legally become women and share legal protections. Monthly What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. An email with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing. In April, the court subsequently passed a ruling limiting the definition of a woman to biological sex and excluding trans women from discrimination protections. In response to the ruling, Rowling posted on X: 'I love it when a plan comes together' with a picture of herself smoking a cigar and holding a cocktail. Former fan Lyttle believes Rowling's actions overrule any legacy the books had, because she's denying trans people their humanity. 'A mushroom isn't less valuable than this book. We've just decided that a mushroom is more valuable than this possession,' he says. 'It's better as fuel for something new and beautiful than as something we look at that makes us sad.'

You Can Brunch with Alpacas at Durrant Farms in NC!
You Can Brunch with Alpacas at Durrant Farms in NC!

Style Blueprint

time16 hours ago

  • Style Blueprint

You Can Brunch with Alpacas at Durrant Farms in NC!

Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit About 20 minutes outside Asheville, in the rolling hills of Leicester, Durrant Farms offers one of the most delightful (and downright heartwarming) experiences in North Carolina … brunch with alpacas. Yes, it's a thing. And yes, it's as enchanting as it sounds. Owned by the warm and welcoming husband-and-wife duo Whitney and Tom Durrant, this charming farm is part working alpaca haven, part bed-and-breakfast, part 'did I just fall into a storybook?' wonder. Guests are invited to slow down and sip coffee and pastries beneath a covered picnic area in the pasture, surrounded by panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and an elite squad of four-legged fluff-balls, fondly referred to as 'The Boys.' Pin I was fortunate to experience this little slice of Appalachian heaven, and the memories are indelible. The adventure began as we wound down a gravel drive, crossing paths with Tom Durrant himself, who gave us a friendly wave from his ATV and pointed us toward the pavilion. That's where we met Whitney and Grace (the farm's trusted Hospitality Manager), who welcomed us warmly and led us into the pasture, where the real hosts were already waiting. Ralph the alpaca (my personal favorite and instant emotional support animal) and Heartbreaker the llama were first to greet us, casually strolling over like old friends. Pin Pin With a promise to keep the gate firmly latched behind us (because no one wants an unexpected escape attempt), we made our way to the open-air brunch table, thoughtfully dressed with linens and cheerful faux flowers (Whitney wisely discovered that real ones are simply too irresistible for curious alpacas). Pin Pin Before we go any further, let's meet the crew, shall we? There are four alpacas: Ralph (my personal favorite and a total heartthrob), Scully (the baby of the group who will do just about anything for a treat), Hotline (the wise elder who will peer directly into your soul), and Micah (a little shy at first, but a total sweetheart once he warms up). They're joined by two equally charismatic llamas: Brinkley (skittish but endearing) and Heartbreaker (who lived up to his name by shamelessly trying to con me out of my scone, but more on that in a moment). Together, they strut around like they own the place. And honestly, they kind of do. 'The llamas came separately, adopted from Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend, NC,' Whitney shares. 'Heartbreaker now runs the show while Brinkley is always on alert, keeping watch for any potential threats to the herd.' Pin While you dig into breakfast, the alpacas and llamas get their own treats, making them extra sociable. They wander over for snacks, selfies, and the occasional nuzzle. 'They've all become the unofficial welcoming committee of the farm,' Whitney says. 'Every one of them has their own personality, and watching guests connect with them has been one of the most meaningful parts of building this place.' But that's not to say you don't have to keep an eye on your pastries. Heartbreaker, in particular, made a valiant attempt to charm me into sharing my scone, but I stuck to doling out approved alpaca treats. Pin Pin The brunch menu, by the way, is no afterthought. ButterPunk — an Asheville bakery in the River Arts District led by the 'Queen of Biscuits,' Beth Kellerhals — serves up impossibly delicious baked goods that almost steal the show. Almost. It's hard to compete with Ralph. P.S. Scroll down to see a picture of him as a baby. How can you resist that face? Pin 'The alpaca adventures actually all started because of Ralph,' Whitney says. 'We met a sweet woman at the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair who showed us a photo of a baby alpaca she'd just had. His face was shaped like a heart, and we immediately started calling him Loverboy. That baby was Ralph. A few months later, we brought him home along with his three 'brothers': Scully, Hotline, and Micah.' Pin Pin Even as a light rain rolled in, none of us seemed to mind. With the Blue Ridge Mountains serving as a dramatic, cloud-kissed backdrop, it was simply magical. Pin Whitney and Tom, who welcomed their first child in 2024, have poured their hearts into creating a place where nature meets hospitality. In addition to brunch, they offer happy hour gatherings, llama treks, and host picturesque weddings by the pond. There's even a short walking trail on the property that offers a lovely scenic view of the farm if you want to stretch your legs before or after your alpaca rendezvous. Visitors can stay overnight at their on-site bed and breakfast (available on Airbnb and not to be confused with their guest house about 15 minutes away). Pin And how did it all begin, you might ask? 'Durrant Farms really started as a dream Tom and I had for a life closer to the land,' says Whitney. 'We wanted to raise our family with animals and fresh air, homegrown food, and give people a space to slow down — somewhere they could celebrate with loved ones and connect with the land and the animals in a beautiful way.' Boy, did they ever. 'What began as a small farmstay with alpaca experiences gradually grew,' Whitney continues. 'People started asking if they could bring larger groups, host bachelorette parties, even plan full weddings. We couldn't quite do that at our first property, so in September 2024, we packed up our herd, our newborn baby, and our lives, and moved about 15 minutes closer to Asheville. That's when Durrant Farms Estate was born — a wedding venue and sanctuary space where people can celebrate, reconnect, and breathe a little easier. We still offer brunch with alpacas and peaceful farmstays, but now we also get to welcome larger groups for events of all kinds, from retreats to full weekend weddings.' Pin Pin Before leaving, guests can also browse the sweet little farm shop inside the pavilion, stocked with goodies either inspired by The Boys or made from their fleece, such as beanies, slippers, skeins of yarn, felted dryer balls, coasters, and more — souvenirs that will bring a little piece of Durrant Farms's charm home with you. We came. We saw. We mingled with alpacas. We got the t-shirt. (And some alpaca fleece socks, and some felted fleece coasters) Admittedly, we were reluctant to leave. As I made my way back down the gravel path, Ralph and I exchanged one last wistful glance. I think we both knew the magic of that rainy morning would be hard to top. Pin Come for the biscuits, stay for the alpacas, and don't be surprised if you leave with alpaca hair on your shirt, and a full heart. ********** Find more fantastic Southern destinations in our Travel archives! About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store