Before you start
Questions, answered plainly.
What happens, what stays private and what it costs. Meeting someone new? Read the safe meeting guidance.
What is Simurgsu?
A private friendship membership in New York. It suggests a few people a week who want the same kind of evening as you — a calm dinner, quiet company, or a museum or show — lets you have a short call with someone who also said yes, and helps you plan a meetup in a public place. It is for friendship, not dating.
Where does it work?
Manhattan and nearby Brooklyn. You must be 18 or older and live in or near that area. Travel companions are coming next.
How are introductions chosen?
You answer a few choices about the day, the place, the pace and what matters to you, and you approve what matching is allowed to use. We suggest up to three people a week, each with a reason you both chose to share. There is no score and no swiping.
What happens on the first call?
A short audio or video hello, about five minutes. Afterwards you each decide privately whether to meet. The other person never learns how you answered unless you both said yes.
How do you check that people are who they say they are?
Every member verifies their identity before they can see anyone or be seen. The check runs on Stripe Identity: a photo of a driver’s license, passport or ID card, and a live selfie that has to match it. The images stay with Stripe and are deleted when you delete your account; we keep only the result, an age band and a fingerprint that allows one account per person. If the automatic check fails, a person on our safety team can look instead. It confirms who someone is; it is not a background check.
Can I choose to meet only women?
Yes. You choose who you would like to befriend — women, men, non-binary people or anyone — and it works both ways: you are only introduced to people you chose who are also open to meeting you. Your choice is never shown to anyone, and you can change it at any time.
Who can see my information?
No other member sees anything you have not chosen to show them, and you choose per person and per intention. There are no public profiles. Revoking access stops future access, but anything someone already saw can be remembered.
Is it safe to meet someone from Simurgsu?
Every introduction starts with a five-minute call, meetups are planned in public places, and you can keep your number and address private. The “Identity verified” badge means an ID was checked; it is not a background check. Our safe meeting guidance has the details.
What if someone makes me uncomfortable?
Every profile, call, chat and plan has Report or block. Reports are private and free, they go to our safety team, and the other person is never told who reported them. You can end a call or leave a meetup at any time, for any reason. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
What does membership cost?
Membership is $39.99 a month and includes one star with every paid month; unused stars carry over while you are a member. Extra stars are $29.99. A star covers an introduction, including an extension you both accept, and is spent only when the call connects. After you connect, messaging is unlimited. Women receive complimentary membership and introductions during launch. Dinner, tickets and transport are paid for by each person.
When am I charged?
Not when you sign up. Membership opens only when we can introduce you to people in your area; until then, we do not charge you. When your place is ready, the first month is charged and that day becomes your renewal date.
Can I cancel?
Yes, online at any time, with no phone call. Cancelling stops the next renewal and you keep access until the end of the month you paid for. You can also cancel within three business days of your first payment for a full refund.
Want to read more first? Guides to making friends in New York