Annual Fort Mason Craft Friends Social

Hello New Friends, This event is like no other - you'll meet at least 10 new friends here with our rotating 1-1 conversations! Come spend the afternoon surrounded by beautiful handmade goods, discovering independent makers alongside people who share your eye for art at the Renegade Craft Fair. We'll start with an hour of quick, app-paired chats to break the ice, and then we'll break into small groups to explore the bustling artisan pavilions together. We're going to kick things off by chatting one-on-one. The Gist IRL app takes the guesswork out of mingling by pairing you up, so you can easily figure out who shares your taste in ceramics, textiles, and independent art. Once the rounds wrap up, the real fun begins. You'll choose a few folks you really hit it off with, form a little squad, and walk through the Renegade Craft Fair to explore the artisan booths together. By the time the fair closes at 5pm, you'll have found some favorite new makers and shared the afternoon with people who love local design as much as you do. Whether this small group becomes your go-to crew for artisan markets and craft fairs, or you just head home with a unique souvenir and a great memory, it's going to be a wonderful Saturday. The Plan: - 3:00PM: Check-In. Follow the link to set up your quick profile on your phone. - 3:05PM - 4:25PM: One-on-One Rounds. The app pairs you for focused chats. Find out who shares your appreciation for independent makers, thoughtful design, and handcrafted goods. - 4:25PM+: Form Groups & head into the fair pavilion. Reconnect with your favorite matches, form groups of 3-5, and head into the fair pavilion to check out the booths together — your group leaves together today. Let's skip the usual routine of wandering the aisles solo and collecting business cards you never look at again, and instead actually explore the craft fair side-by-side with folks who might just become your regular crew for future craft fairs, makers markets, and design walks to explore together. Plus, if you want to swap notes on what you bought after the fair wraps up, you can easily stay in touch through the app without ever needing to hand out your phone number. I can't wait to discover some amazing local art with you all this afternoon. A few favorite spots nearby: The Interval at Long Now - Housed right inside Fort Mason, this conversational cafe and salon serves artisan coffee, fine teas, and light bites surrounded by kinetic clockwork and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Equator Coffees - Situated at Fort Mason's historic entrance gatehouse, this breezy cafe pairs specialty espresso drinks and fresh pastries with outdoor seating facing the bay. Dandelion Chocolate - Located a short stroll away on Chestnut Street, this inviting cafe specializes in bean-to-bar hot chocolates, specialty coffee, and decadent house-baked chocolate treats. Over the Moon Creamery - A neighborhood staple on Chestnut Street, this charming dessert shop is known for its small-batch ice cream scoops tucked into warm, freshly baked cookies. The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop - A scenic walk along the waterfront into Ghirardelli Square, this iconic spot offers plenty of seating to share classic hot fudge sundaes and thick shakes.