Why You Need a Drinking Buddy (The UBC Edition)
Welcome to the University of British Columbia, arguably one of the most beautiful and simultaneously overwhelming campuses in North America. Seriously, UBC is huge. It’s so big that sometimes walking from Buchanan to the Nest feels like a marathon, and the sheer number of people can make you feel smaller than a single hop pellet in a massive brewing vat.
We’ve all been there: first week, maybe you’re living in residence, maybe you’re commuting an hour on the 99 B-Line, but either way, you look around at the thousands of bright-eyed (or already stressed-out) students, and the big question hits you: How the heck do I find my people?
You need a crew. Not just for study sessions, but for those necessary decompression moments—you know, the ones that involve ordering greasy food at 2 AM and debating which craft brewery has the best IPA. Friend-making at UBC isn’t rocket science, but it definitely requires a strategy. Think of this guide as your happy hour roadmap to social success. Let’s start brewing some lasting connections!
The Great Divide: Ditching the Dorm Room Dungeon
The single biggest mistake you can make when trying to figure out how to make friends UBC style is treating your room like a sanctuary. It’s not. It’s a very comfortable, very isolating cave. Netflix and pajamas are tempting, but they don’t buy rounds.
You have to go where the action is. And often, where the action is, there’s a decent chance of finding something bubbly.
Step 1: Embrace Shared Misery (AKA Required Courses)
Your first and easiest entry point is those massive lecture halls. Everyone thinks this is lame, but hear me out: shared suffering is the ultimate social lubricant, right next to a cold pilsner.
- The Textbook Buddy: The person next to you who looks equally terrified by the syllabus? That’s your target. Ask them a question about the reading, then immediately pivot: “I need a drink after looking at this schedule. You in?”
- Form Study Groups (The Sneaky Way): Start a group chat (WhatsApp is key). After 30 minutes of discussing thermodynamics, dedicate the next 30 minutes to discussing where the best cheap wings are located near campus. Success rate: 90%.
Seriously, find the people who are facing the same academic battles as you. You’ll spend hours together anyway, and eventually, the conversation will drift from differential equations to terrible dating stories. That’s friendship gold.
The UBC Social Fermentation Zones: Where to Find Your Tribe
UBC is packed with locations designed for group assembly, you just need to know which ones have the highest yield for good times.
The Nest: Your Central Hub for Chaos
The AMS Student Nest is the beating heart of campus life, and more importantly, it houses several spots where people congregate (often with beverages).
- The Pit Pub: Ah, The Pit. Legendary, sticky, and home to student specials. This is mandatory. You don’t go here to study; you go here to unwind, cheer for a Canucks game, or maybe sing karaoke slightly off-key. If you can’t make a friend over a pitcher of beer here, you might be trying too hard. Just relax, spill a bit of something, and apologize—instant conversation starter.
- Clubs Day Shenanigans: Every semester, the sheer volume of clubs is ridiculous, but that’s a good thing! Join the ridiculously niche ones. The UBC Beekeeping Society? The UBC Cheese Club? The Sailing Club? Pick something you are mildly interested in, attend the first meeting, and then suggest the entire group migrate to a nearby pub to discuss “strategy.”
The Residence Life Gambit (If Applicable)
If you live on campus (Totem, Vanier, Orchard, etc.), you are sitting on a social goldmine. The trick here is participation.
- Leave your door open (metaphorically and sometimes literally).
- Go to the cheesy floor events (pizza night, movie night, tie-dye). They feel forced, but they work.
- Organize your own social event. Nothing complex—a simple “Bring Your Own Board Game and Drink” night.
If you’re a commuter, don’t worry! Find a regular spot off-campus in Kitsilano or Point Grey that you frequent after class. Consistency builds familiarity, and familiarity brews friendship.
The Liquid Logistics: Using Beer to Connect
Look, we love beer here at Strategies.beer, and we know that a good beverage is often the fastest route from awkward silence to lifelong camaraderie. When trying to figure out how to make friends UBC-style, integrating drinks naturally is key.
The Beer Exchange Icebreaker
If you manage to gather a small group (maybe from your residence floor or study group), suggest a casual