Meetup: Social Events & Groups positions itself as a comprehensive platform for organizing and discovering interest-based gatherings, serving over 60 million members worldwide. The application enables users to pursue hobbies, build professional networks, and establish social connections through structured group activities, functioning as both a community management tool and social discovery engine. The core functionality revolves around interest-based group creation and event management. Organizers can establish groups with detailed descriptions, membership rules, and event calendars, while participants can browse categories ranging from professional networking to recreational activities. The platform supports both virtual and in-person events with integrated RSVP systems, location mapping, and discussion forums. Membership management tools allow for moderated entry and community guidelines enforcement, creating structured environments for specific interest groups. User experience centers on intuitive discovery mechanisms with location-based filtering and interest matching algorithms. The interface employs clean card-based designs for event listings with immediate visibility of key details: date, location, participant count, and activity level. Real-world usage patterns show peak engagement during evening hours and weekends, with users typically maintaining membership in 3-5 active groups simultaneously. The mobile interface prioritizes quick RSVP functionality and last-minute event notifications. User feedback indicates generally positive experiences with specific pain points. Multiple reviewers praise the platform's effectiveness for niche interest connections, with issueyang (2025-08-18) noting its value for 'making new friends and experiencing new memories' while advising careful attention to activity descriptions. Latrina cleanola (2025-08-13) highlights successful discovery of 'French, chess, and motorcycling groups,' though Meetup is a scam smh (2025-08-31) reports significant frustration with subscription cancellation processes that 'direct users in circles between app and website.' The application demonstrates particular strength in facilitating connections for relocated individuals and niche interest holders, as evidenced by Knitthinner's (2025-08-24) successful transition to a new city through mahjong groups. However, the subscription management issues and occasional geographic limitations in less populated areas present notable constraints. Ideal use cases include professional networking in urban centers, hobby-based socializing, and community building around specialized interests where critical mass exists.