Whether it’s discussing the latest novel in a book club or hitting the courts for a game, social clubs are redefining how we meet, bond, and build friendships! (Left: Image by @racquetbrunchclub. Right: Image by @thestarhillkl.)
Between the rush of city life and mindless scrolling, it’s easy to forget that there’s a world beyond work and our screens. For those looking to slow down and rediscover the joy of real-world friendships, communities and social clubs are emerging across Kuala Lumpur (KL), creating spaces for people to meet and bond over shared interests like reading and running.
FOR THE BOOKWORMS
Eat Books Club
Inspired by the theme of each month’s book, Eat Books Club has hosted many meetups that go beyond cosy cafe discussions. From themed dress-ups to activities like hiking and swimming, stories are brought to life at every gathering.
The Eat Books Club community has also expanded beyond bibliophiles with their newest addition, Eat Books Radio, a music segment for people to share their love for the art.
Flipside Social Club
Inspired by their hangouts and discussions, four book lovers decided to set up Flipside Social Club—a community-forward club where people can relax and socialise through their shared love for reading.
Other than typical book club activities like silent reading and book swaps, Flipside Social Club also offers fun and distinct bookish events such as treasure hunts, book staycations, and movie screenings of book adaptations.
Rish’s Bookclub
Founded in early 2024 by Rishika, Rish’s Bookclub began as a small group that flourished into a welcoming space. Members gather each month to share their thoughts on a chosen book over snacks and fun activities. The book club explores a wide range of titles, from fiction to memoirs, and childhood classics to BookTok favourites. There’s something for every reader.
To keep things exciting, activities like picnic socials or pottery painting workshops will occasionally be part of the meetups. For their most recent October read, Rish added a fun surprise—leaving a copy at a local cafe for someone to discover. The lucky finder not only gets the club’s book of the month, but also a drink on her!
FOR THE ACTIVES
Journey Run Club
Journey Run Club is a beginner-friendly run club that gathers every Monday evening at Sri Hartamas Park. It is a running community built to create a fun and supportive environment for runners of all levels to feel comfortable learning and growing together.
The run club is free to join—all you need is yourself and your running gear. No experience needed!
When: Every Monday, 8:15pm
Where: Sri Hartamas Park Sign
ASICS Running Club (ARC) Malaysia
Ready to take your running to the next level and reach your personal best, but aren’t sure where to begin? ASICS Running Club is the perfect place to start. Created by runners for runners, ARC is an inclusive running group led by experienced runners with the intention of helping individuals achieve their fitness goals.
With weekly training programmes such as pyramid intervals, Fartlek, tempo run, and strength workouts, their exciting running sessions are tailored to every runner’s specific needs. They also offer other sessions like trail runs on selected weekends.
When: Every Wednesday, 8:30pm
Where: UM Arena (track), University Malaya
Racquet Brunch Club
Racquet Brunch Club is centred around—you guessed it—pickleball and padel, with a side of good eats and new friendships. Led by Maegan and her team, they host an array of gatherings from retreats to Swiftie-themed socials, friendly matches, and more.
FOR THE GIRLIES
Hustle Honeys
Co-founded by Yashwenee and Emira, Hustle Honeys is a social and networking club in Kuala Lumpur with a vision to cultivate a supportive and empowering community for young women.
Since their inception, they’ve hosted a range of activities, from networking events that share career insights and lifestyle wisdom, to creative workshops that offer cosy, hands-on experiences to unwind and recharge. They’ve even brought people together through fun and on-trend fitness sessions like pilates and pickleball.
Teman Girls
Teman Girls is a community and platform created for women in Malaysia who want to explore new experiences and foster meaningful female friendships. With a growing community and a range of curated experiences, it offers a flexible, fun, and inclusive way to meet new people.
In addition to official Teman Girls events, members can host or request their own experiences, from casual hangouts to trips, while others with shared interests can join in. The community also connects through online chatrooms and Discord, creating a space to talk, exchange advice, and connect beyond in-person events.
At its heart, Teman Girls champions the confidence, connections, and courage that come from finding community with strangers-turned-friends.
So, if you’re a social butterfly that thrives on making new connections, or an introvert taking a small step out of your comfort zone, there’s a community in KL waiting to welcome you. Join a session, say hi, and see where it takes you!
