Mates first
The Friendship App for Men Who Want Real Mates
Men are lonelier than they have been in generations: surveys consistently find that a growing share of men have no close friends at all. B8Mates was built to change that for the men it serves — gay, bi, curious and straight men who want male friendship, with honesty about everything else men do together.
Built for making mates
- “Looking for friends” as a first-class profile option
- M8s and Close M8s friendship tiers
- Interest-based Tribes with their own feeds and events
- Local events with group chat for attendees
- Shared interests and hobbies shown on every profile
- Encrypted chat, no ads, discreet mode when you need it
Why it is hard to make male friends as an adult
School, uni and sport hand you friends. Adult life does not. Work friendships rarely leave the office, moving city resets everything, and most apps are built for dating, not mateship. Add the stigma many men feel about saying “I would like some friends”, and it is no surprise so many men drift into isolation.
B8Mates removes the awkwardness by making friendship the default. “Looking for friends” is a first-class option on your profile, and the people who message you know that is what you want.
Three ways to build a circle
M8s and Close M8s: add men to your circle and keep your closest mates in an inner ring that sees more of you. Tribes: join or start a community around what you actually do — gaming, gym, hiking, cars, cooking, footy, or your local area. Events: go to a pub meet, a hike or a games night and meet men face to face, with a group chat to keep the conversation going afterwards.
Honest about the rest
B8Mates does not pretend men only want to talk about football. Some mates become bate mates; some stay strictly platonic. Profiles make that clear up front, so nobody is misled and everyone gets to choose. Mates first, everything else optional.
Make a mate this week
Download B8Mates free and join a Tribe near you.
Free download · 18+ only · No ads
Frequently asked questions
Is B8Mates only for gay men?+
No. It is for any man aged 18+ who wants to connect with other men. Gay, bi, curious and straight men all use it, and your profile says what you are after.
Can I use it just for friendship?+
Absolutely. Set “friends” as what you are looking for, join a few Tribes and go to an event. Plenty of members never use the app for anything else.
Is it awkward to say I want friends?+
Not here. Friendship is the default on B8Mates, and the men who contact you already know that is what you want.
How do events work for meeting friends?+
Browse upcoming events near you, register interest, and once the host accepts you join a group chat with the other attendees. Many friendships start in that chat before anyone meets in person.