You find an event that looks genuinely interesting.

You send it to your friends.

One person is busy. Another leaves you on read. Someone else says, “I’ll let you know.”

Now the event is tomorrow and suddenly you’re considering staying home.

Go anyway.

Attending an event alone can feel awkward at first, especially in a city where outings often seem built around friend groups. But going solo can actually make an event easier to experience on your own terms. You choose when to arrive, what to see, who to speak to and when to leave.

If this is your first time doing it in Lagos, here’s how to make it enjoyable instead of spending the entire evening staring at your phone.

1. Pick an Event You Actually Care About

Going alone becomes much easier when the event itself interests you.

Choose something you would genuinely enjoy even if you didn’t speak to anyone: a concert by an artist you like, a comedy show, an exhibition, a tech meetup, a workshop, a book event or a food experience.

That gives you a reason to be there beyond needing someone to keep you company.

2. Know Where You’re Going Before You Leave

Lagos is not the city to start figuring out your route after you’ve already left home.

Check the venue, start and expected closing time, registration requirements, dress code if there is one, parking situation and your transport options beforehand. If you’re using a ride-hailing service, confirm the exact venue rather than relying only on a familiar landmark.

A little preparation removes a lot of unnecessary stress.

3. Arrive Early

Walking alone into a packed venue can feel intimidating. Arriving while the room is still filling up is usually easier.

You have time to understand the space, find a comfortable spot and speak to people before everyone settles into their groups. At conferences, workshops and networking events, those first few minutes can also be one of the easiest times to start conversations.

4. Don’t Hide Behind Your Phone

Your phone is the easiest escape when you feel awkward. You open WhatsApp, refresh Instagram and suddenly spend half the event looking down.

Use it when you need to, but give yourself a chance to actually be present. Look around. Watch what’s happening. Join an activity. React to the performance. Ask someone a simple question.

You don’t need to become the most social person in the room. You just need to give the room a chance.

5. Starting a Conversation Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated

You already have one thing in common with almost everyone there: the event.

“Have you been to one of these before?”

“What did you think of that speaker?”

“Do you know who’s performing next?”

Simple questions work because they don’t feel forced. If the conversation goes somewhere, great. If it doesn’t, that’s fine too.

6. Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy the Event Alone

You don’t need to make a new best friend for the outing to count as a good experience.

Watch the show. Try the food. Take pictures. Listen to the panel. Participate in the workshop. Dance if that’s the kind of event you’re at.

Being alone and being lonely are not the same thing. Sometimes going solo means you notice more because you’re not constantly coordinating with a group.

7. Plan Your Trip Home

Fun matters, but so does getting home comfortably.

Know roughly when you want to leave, keep your phone charged, keep enough money available for transport and avoid waiting until you’re stranded before arranging your trip. If an event runs late, use transport options you trust and stay aware of your surroundings.

If something about the venue or situation feels unsafe, leaving early is completely fine.

Finding the Right Event Makes Going Solo Easier

A big part of enjoying events alone is choosing experiences that actually match your interests.

Instead of waiting until a flyer randomly reaches your WhatsApp group, event platforms can make discovery and registration easier. TavernCentral is designed to give organizers a place to publish and manage events while helping attendees find experiences they may want to join.

That means the decision can become less about “Who can I convince to come with me?” and more about “Does this look like something I’d enjoy?”

Go Anyway

Your friends won’t always be available when something interesting is happening.

That doesn’t mean you have to miss it.

The first solo event might feel strange for the first ten minutes. Then the music starts. Or the speaker begins. Or someone asks whether the seat beside you is free.

And suddenly you’re just another person enjoying the event.

So the next time you find something you genuinely want to attend and the group chat fails you, don’t automatically close the flyer.

Register. Plan your route. Charge your phone.

And go.

Ready to Find Your Next Experience?

You don’t have to wait for the group chat to decide your weekend. Explore TavernCentral to discover events, register for experiences that interest you, and make your next outing happen on your own terms.

Visit TavernCentral: https://taverncentral.com