10 Quirky Seattle-Area Meetups

Whether we admit them or not, we all have our quirks. Do you worry what your buttoned-up office pals would think if they knew you practice the “Thriller” dance in your living room after work? Do you hide it from your workout friends that you’d rather spend Saturdays having philosophical conversations than doing deadlifts? Would your roommates be weirded out if they discovered how badly you’ve been dying to race your new Octocopter? Do they even know you have one?

It’s possible they would judge you a bit. But it’s more likely they have some hidden eccentricities of their own and would be delighted to find out that you do, too. After all, we live in Seattle, which tends to be a pretty accepting place. Here are 10 fun and far-out groups from Meetup.com that might help you find friends who love the same bizarre things you do. They might also help you find a new hobby to add to your list!

(Meetup.com is a website that allows people to create, find, and join groups dedicated to a wide variety of hobbies, sports, books, and more. For all of these Meetups, make sure to join the group before attending an event to get the most updated information.)

Ballard Drink and Draw
What: For those who enjoy sketching, drinking, and especially sketching while drinking. Drawing skills not required.
Next meetup: Ballard Beer Company, August 22, 2 p.m.

Furlife
What: For aficionados of anthropomorphic culture. Eat, drink and play games in your “fursuit” (or just jeans and a t-shirt). Animal costumes welcomed but not required.
Next Meetup: AFK Tavern, August 1, 8 p.m.

Seattle Stairway Walkers
What: For walkers who want to see lesser known parts of Seattle’s neighborhoods on foot. The pace is leisurely; the walks are more about exploration than exercise.
Next Meetup: Magnolia Boulevard & Montevista Place, August 2, 12 p.m.

Seattle Shakespeare (Etc!) Readthrough Group
What: For Shakespeare-enthusiasts. Play Antony or Cleopatra for an entire afternoon.
Next Meetup: Volunteer Park, August 1, 1 p.m.

Death Café – Seattle
What: For thinkers who want to talk openly about death: what you feel about it, how you deal with it, and how you live in the face of it.
Next Meetup: Capitol Hill Branch Library, August 23, 2 p.m.

Seattle Thrillers
What: For Michael Jackson’s Thriller devotees. Rehearse the dance during the coming months leading up to the 2015 Thrill the World, an international (and often charitable) event in which participants dress as zombies, gather in public places, and simultaneously perform the dance from Michael Jackson’s song “Thriller.”
Next Meetup: Artspace Hiawatha Lofts, August 23, 1 p.m.

FPV Racing Seattle
What: For those with a true appreciation of multi-rotor drones. Bring yours to the park for flying practice and races of varying competitive levels.
Next meetup: 60 Acres Park, August 9, 10 a.m.

Paranormal Buffs
What: For explorers and admirers of the paranormal. Tell stories, hunt for Bigfoot, tour haunted places and more.
Next meetup: Annual UFO Trip to Pleiades, August 14, 1 p.m.

Seattle Paint Dancing
What: For anyone who wants to try dancing while painting, or vice versa. Non-toxic paint, brushes and dancing tunes supplied.
Next meetup: Gasworks Gallery, August 8, 8 p.m.

U District Philosophy Cafe
What: For those who long to wax philosophical. No philosophy degree necessary, just a thirst for coffee and knowledge.
Next Meetup: Sureshot Espresso, August 2, 7 p.m.