Let’s talk about curling. Yes, curling, that Olympic-adjacent, ice-sweeping spectacle that somehow seems like a combination of chess and mopping the floor. Carlyn and her husband are hooked. So hooked, in fact, they waited two years just to be able to learn how to shuffle some stones on ice. And honestly? That’s adorable. These days, niche adult hobbies like curling aren’t just for retirees and quirky sitcom characters—they’re how grown-ups are trying to survive the modern loneliness epidemic.
But curling isn’t alone in the lineup of oddly specific ways adults are reclaiming their social lives. Mahjong? Check. Shuffleboard? Sure. Adult ballet classes? Apparently, those too. These clubs are exploding across the country, and let’s just admit it: we’re all in desperate need of an excuse to leave the house and talk to someone who isn’t trying to sell us extended car insurance.
The Loneliness Epidemic (Yes, That’s a Thing)
The U.S. Surgeon General recently declared loneliness a public health crisis, and, honestly, duh. Between being tethered to our phones and the fact that half our neighbors are terrifyingly good at avoiding eye contact, it’s no wonder so many of us feel isolated. Enter the adult social club: a weirdly retro way to meet people and pretend that being terrible at shuffleboard is just part of the charm.
Licensed professional counselor Danielle Tucci puts it more eloquently: “Social connectedness is a protective factor that safeguards against physical and mental health challenges.” Translation: spending time with other humans is good for your brain and might keep you from stress-binging an entire sleeve of Oreos on a random Tuesday.
Curling: It’s Not Just for Canadians
Let’s get back to Carlyn and her ice-dancing rock sport. “This club has absolutely nothing to do with anything else I do in life,” she says, which might be the most millennial thing ever uttered. Carlyn joined a curling club in Philadelphia and is now living her best sliding-stone life. Oh, and the demographics? It’s not just a sea of retirees in puffy jackets. The members range from 30-somethings to people in their 80s, proving that curling really is the sport for everyone.
Also, curling camp exists. Yes, Carlyn and her husband Googled “adult curling camp” and then actually attended one in Montreal, where they learned from Canadian curling legends. That’s a level of commitment you have to respect, even if you’re still not entirely sure what a “hog line” is.
Mahjong: Where Tiles and Friendship Collide
And then there’s mahjong. No longer just a game your grandma plays on her iPad, this ancient Chinese pastime is having a millennial glow-up thanks to Sarah Teng and her Green Tile Social Club. Founded in New York City, the club has hosted over 40 events, attracted thousands of players, and spawned new friend groups, roommate pairings, and even romantic connections.
Mahjong is not just a game; it’s a cultural movement. “It’s brought me closer to my own cultural identity,” Teng says, adding that the club has also created a space where like-minded people can find community and maybe even someone to split rent with. Imagine that: a hobby that’s fun and practical.
Shuffleboard: Not Just for Florida Retirement Homes
Shuffleboard is officially trendy. (Pause for dramatic effect.) In Madison, Wisconsin, Jinda and her fellow “shufflers” are living proof that this pastime has gone from the senior center to the cool-kid club scene. Jinda describes her league as “great people and great vibes,” which is a nice way of saying, “It’s better than sitting at home doom-scrolling Twitter.”
Shuffleboard clubs offer more than just a chance to embarrass yourself in front of strangers. For Jinda, it’s been a lifeline for mental health. “It’s been really helpful to have the league and getting together with friends as something to genuinely look forward to every week,” she says. Honestly, when was the last time you said that about anything other than pizza night?
Ballet: Reconnecting With Your Body and Reality
In a plot twist worthy of a rom-com, adult ballet classes are also part of this movement. Christina, who takes a ballet class every Friday, describes it as a way to “reconnect with my body away from technology.” First of all, that’s poetic. Second, what an elegant alternative to binge-watching reruns of The Great British Bake Off.
Christina’s ballet group includes high schoolers, retirees, and everyone in between. It’s not about pirouettes and perfection but about embracing the music, the movement, and the fact that sometimes life is better when you’re too focused on not tripping to check your email.
Why These Clubs Actually Work
Adult social clubs are successful because they cut through all the usual obstacles to making friends. Think about it: no awkward “How do you do, fellow kids?” moments, no swiping through a friendship app like it’s Tinder for platonic relationships. Instead, you just show up, do the thing, and suddenly you’re part of a group text with people who care about your shuffleboard stats.
Jen Jones Donatelli, a certified coach, says these clubs “do the heavy lifting” by providing structure, space, and activities. All you have to do is carve out the time, slap on some deodorant, and show up. It’s socializing made easy for people who are, let’s face it, really bad at socializing.
From Shuffleboard to Cultural Pride
Beyond the laughs and post-game beers, these clubs offer something deeper: a sense of identity and pride. For Sarah Teng, mahjong has been a way to connect with her Asian-American heritage. For Carlyn, curling is a chance to bond with her family in a totally unexpected way. For Jinda, shuffleboard has been a mental health lifeline.
These aren’t just hobbies; they’re lifeboats in the stormy seas of adult life. They’re proof that you don’t need to be the life of the party to build a meaningful social circle. Sometimes, all it takes is a broom, some stones, or a set of tiles.
The Takeaway
If you’re feeling lonely, awkward, or just bored, consider joining an adult activity club. Sure, it might seem weird at first—curling? Really?—but the payoff could be enormous. Friends. Community. An excuse to leave the house. Maybe even a chance to yell, “Hurry hard!” at a piece of granite gliding across the ice.
So grab your weirdest, most oddly specific hobby idea and run with it. Or slide with it. Or shuffle. Whatever works. Just don’t sit at home thinking about how you should really get out more. Life’s too short to not try curling camp.
