A night out

What to do tonight when you don't want to stay in

You don't need a plan or a crowd — just the urge. Head to where the people are: for a glass of wine, a beer, wherever people in your town get together. And let those around you know you're free. Timity shows people nearby that you're up for meeting, and whoever it suits will reach out. Here and now.

All it takes is deciding to go

An evening in plans itself: one film, two episodes, a bit of scrolling, and it's midnight. An evening out takes a single decision — putting your shoes on. You don't need to know exactly what you'll do. Cities are alive on weeknights too, and almost everything good that happens tonight happens after you walk out the door.

Where to go when you have no plan

• A place with long tables or a bar. Venues where people sit side by side are built for talking to strangers. At the bar, chatting to the next stool along is the most normal thing in the world.
• The riverside, the square, the markets. Where people stroll with a glass in hand, the first line comes cheapest.
• Small events: an exhibition opening, a pub quiz, a gig in a club. A shared topic is a ready-made opening — you don't have to come up with anything.
• An evening run or a walk. That counts as a night out too — and you meet people who keep the same rhythm as you.

Turning an evening out into an evening with someone

The catch usually isn't the place but the first step: how to show you're open to meeting someone, and how to tell who around you feels the same.

That's exactly what Timity is for. You write a few words — "a glass of wine and a chat" — and a sign people will recognise you by: blue jacket, book in hand. People nearby who've also got time can reach out. You find each other, sit down, and the evening takes care of itself. No registration, no profile; only the people around you can see you, and only while you're sharing.

One small trick to finish

Don't wait for Friday. A Tuesday night out has less competition and all the same magic — and the people you meet on a Tuesday have free evenings more often than you'd think.