Hanky Drop started here, so we’ve done the research the fun way. These are the places Gold Coasters actually meet people, no swiping required.
Run clubs
The Gold Coast’s social run clubs are half fitness, half meet-and-greet, and most finish with a coffee.
- Main Beach parkrun: free, every Saturday morning. Australia’s first parkrun, and there’s always a coffee crowd after.
- Gold Coast Run Co.: runs social run clubs at Main Beach and Burleigh.
- Gold Coast Runners Club: Sunday mornings at Justin’s Park, Burleigh. All levels welcome.
Times change, so check each club’s page before you go.
Markets
Markets are made for a casual hello: you’re both just standing in a queue.
- Miami Marketta: street food and live music, from 5pm most nights Wednesday to Saturday.
- The Village Markets, Burleigh Heads: first and third Sunday of the month, mornings.
- Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings.
Singles nights
If you’d rather everyone in the room be single, there’s a regular run of singles events here, from speed dating to singles-only trivia and lawn bowls. Cityswoon runs speed dating by age group, and Sparks Fly and Cheeky Events run singles nights too. See what’s on this month on Eventbrite.
Come and say hi
We run Hanky Drop stalls at Griffith University, in partnership with the uni. Come and say hi, try a shirt on and see how the code works.
Our picks
- Miami Marketta. Great food, live music and everyone’s in a good mood. The queue is the easiest place on the coast to start a chat.
- Uni life. Campus clubs, markets and events at Griffith University are full of people keen to meet new faces.
- Work and after-work drinks. Plenty of people still meet through work, or through a colleague’s friend. Say yes to the Friday drinks.
Wear the shirt
The Gold Coast is a small town in a big town. Wear a Hanky Drop shirt to the markets or a run, and the people around you know you’re open to a hello.