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The hardest part of seeing friends is not the idea. It is getting the group to agree.

Melbourne has plenty to do with friends. The problem is usually the group chat. Someone wants food. Someone wants cheap. Someone does not want to travel far. Someone replies three hours late.

GuideMelbourne · Group plans6 min read
▸ The group plan rule

Make the first decision
for the group.

Group plans fall apart when every detail is open.

Instead of asking “what should we do?”, choose the plan first: food-first, activity-first, low-effort drinks, rainy-day indoor, birthday, house party, after-work catch-up or something outdoors. Once the plan is chosen, the group only has to react to a plan, not invent one from scratch.

A good group plan needs fewer decisions, a clear meeting area, food early enough, one optional second stop and a backup if the weather or venue situation changes. Plansorted helps turn vague group chat energy into a plan people can actually say yes to.

▸ Group ways to plan it

Five group versions
that get agreement.

Food-first catch-up
Food-first is the easiest group format because everyone understands it. Pick one area with enough options, decide whether you need booking-friendly venues, and add one optional second stop for whoever wants to keep going. The area matters more than chasing one perfect venue. If the first option is full, the group still needs alternatives nearby. Plan this →
Indoor activity with food nearby
Indoor activities work well for groups because they remove the pressure of constant conversation. Bowling, karaoke, mini golf, arcades, comedy, cinema, galleries or casual games can all work depending on budget and mood. The activity should sit near food, otherwise the group ends up negotiating again after the first thing ends. Plan this →
Low-effort Friday night
A Friday night plan should respect that people are tired. Keep it near where people already are. Choose food or drinks first. Avoid making everyone cross the city unless the reason is strong. Keep the second stop optional, not mandatory. The best Friday plan is easy to join and easy to leave. Plan this →
Birthday or occasion group plan
Birthday plans need more structure than normal catch-ups. Decide whether the birthday person wants attention, comfort, activity, food, surprise or something low-key. Then choose a plan that gives people a clear start time and enough flexibility for late arrivals. Plan this →
House party or night in
Hosting friends can be easier than organising a venue, but only if the night has structure. Food, drinks, seating, music, arrival time, activity and cleanup all matter. A house party does not need to be fancy, but it should feel intentional. Plan this →
▸ What not to do

The group plan
mistakes.

× Avoid these
  • Do not ask the group an open-ended question with no options.
  • Do not pick an area that is bad for half the group.
  • Do not leave food until people are coming after work.
  • Do not rely on one venue with no backup.
  • Do not make the second stop compulsory.
  • Do not ignore weather for outdoor plans.
▸ Give Plansorted the group constraints

Tell it how many people, the rough area, budget,
weather and energy level.

It will suggest a plan the group can actually agree on.

Plan something to do with friends in Melbourne that is easy to organise and has food nearby
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