Meet new people in curated groups of four at local coffee shops.
Mesh pairs you with three other people and sends you to a local coffee shop every Saturday morning. No profiles to browse, no messages to craft, no swiping — you get a weekly text invite, say yes or no, and the app handles the rest. Groups are curated by age, and the coffee shop setting keeps things low-key. It's the simplest possible version of meeting strangers in real life.
How it works
Sign up and enter your city. Every Wednesday, Mesh sends you a text with a time and a local coffee shop for Saturday at 10 AM. Tap 'yep' if you're in, 'nope' if you're not — no pressure either way. If you say yes, the app curates a group of four people in your age range. Saturday morning at 8 AM, you get the names and photos of the three people you're meeting. Show up at the coffee shop, grab a drink, and hang out. There are also Thursday evening events at breweries and user-hosted events around town.
Who it's for
People who want to meet new friends but don't want to build a profile or swipe on anyone. College students and young professionals in midsize cities who crave low-pressure social options. Anyone who thinks the best conversations happen over coffee, not cocktails. Introverts who find groups of four way less intimidating than a crowded mixer.
What works
Dead simple — no profiles, no swiping, no messaging, just show up at a coffee shop. Groups of four hit the sweet spot: small enough to actually talk, big enough to avoid awkward silences. Free to use with no subscription required to participate. Supports local coffee shops and cafes, which is a nice touch. Weekly cadence builds a habit without overwhelming your calendar.
What doesn't
Limited to a handful of midsize US cities — no major metros like NYC or LA yet. $5 cancellation fee after RSVP can feel punitive if plans change last minute. Cities need 500 signups before invites start, so you might wait a while in newer markets. No post-meetup features to stay connected with people you liked.
Søren's Take
Mesh is refreshingly no-frills in a space that loves to overcomplicate things. The entire experience is: get a text, say yes, show up at a coffee shop with three strangers. That's it. The groups-of-four format is smart — it's small enough that everyone talks but big enough that you're not stuck in an awkward 1:1 if the vibe is off. The main limitation is geography: Mesh is still in a handful of midsize cities, and each one needs 500 signups before invites go out. If it's active in your area, though, it's one of the lowest-friction ways to meet people that exists.
