I find that a lot of folks sitting and eating at the bar of a restaurant tend to be pretty open to conversation. However, whether or not they’re people around your age whom you would want to get to know and hang out with in the future is a total crapshoot. I’d honestly recommend just going to a restaurant you’re interested in that has a bar and just go from there. With good meals around you, you’ll always have something to start a conversation or fall back on.

I’m not drawn to Atwells Ave, so I don’t really have many recommendations for Fed Hill. I’ve heard Providence Oyster Bar is good if it’s still there, and I believe there’s a Harry’s Burger Bar if I’m remembering correctly. However, for other areas of the city… If you want something sort of reasonably priced there’s: Salted Slate, Pasta Beach, Diego’s, Avenue N, Y Noodle, LaMei Hot Pot, Black Sheep, Julian’s (for an early night, I think they close at 8 lol). If you’re feeling bougie and don’t mind the prices there’s: Hemenways, Parkside, Al Forno, Oberlin, Gracie’s, Cafe Nuovo (higher priced places will lean towards older crowds generally, though).

The East End and The Point Tavern are both bars but they have kitchens and generally chill vibes which make for starting convos with folks and meeting people pretty easy there. AS220 can be good for that too, especially if they have a little event going on besides music and you can actually hear people talking.

(Edit- wording and format)