Thursday | Heartstrings & Handshakes | Atlanta

Heartstrings & Handshakes — JTSE Valentine Social, powered by Thursday Atlanta, is a thoughtfully designed social mixer created specifically for autistic and neurodivergent young adults ages 18–25 who want to connect in a comfortable, welcoming, and low-pressure environment. Hosted in partnership with JTSE and taking place at Hampton Social, this event is all about making genuine connections without the overwhelm of traditional dating events or loud, unstructured parties. Whether you’re hoping to make new friends, explore dating, or simply enjoy a relaxed social experience, this night is designed to meet guests where they are.

The evening is structured around four optional, guided activities designed to make starting conversations easier and more natural:

• Conversation Menu Station – Guests receive a menu of easy, medium, and deeper (optional) conversation prompts to help take the pressure off starting conversations and eliminate the “what do I say first?” stress.

• Structured Speed Meetings – Short, one-on-one conversations guided by prompt cards and a visible timer. This is designed as “speed meeting,” not traditional speed dating, offering a calm, organized, and low-pressure way to connect.

• Icebreaker Card Swap Station – Guests pick a question card, ask someone nearby, answer together, then swap cards and continue connecting. A simple and fun way to keep conversations flowing naturally.

• “Would You Rather?” Choice Wheel – A playful, seated activity where guests take turns spinning a wheel and answering light questions about interests, lifestyle, and social preferences to discover common ground in a relaxed way.

Guests can expect a supportive and inclusive atmosphere with clear instructions, predictable structure, lower-volume music, comfortable pacing, and friendly facilitators available to guide activities when needed. Participation in all activities is optional, and the environment is designed to support both friendship-focused and dating-friendly connections.

The event will take place on Wednesday, February 19th, from 6:30–9:30 PM at Hampton Social and is open to guests ages 18–25.

Tickets

✨ $10 General Admission

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🪪 PHYSICAL I.D. REQUIRED. NO REFUNDS. 18+

🥰 Many attendees (40%) come by themselves, so even if you’re the only single in your friendship group, don’t hesitate to join us solo. You’ll find yourself in great company.

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