Goth Chat Room Guide: Where to Talk to Other Goths

There's a special kind of joy in finding a room full of people who know who Rozz Williams was, have opinions about the best Cure era and think a cemetery picnic is a great Sunday. A good goth chat room gives you that feeling any night of the week, from your bed, in your comfiest black hoodie.

Old-school chat rooms mostly faded away, but goths never stopped talking online. They just moved. Here's where the conversation is happening now and how to slide into it.

A tiny bit of history

Goths were early internet people. In the 1990s and 2000s, there were Usenet groups, mailing lists, web forums and chat rooms where goths swapped band recommendations, club night flyers and arguments about whether a band "counts" as goth. Later, social sites with goth groups took over for a while.

The tools changed, but the vibe didn't: people looking for others who love the same dark, dramatic, beautiful things.

Where goths chat now

Live rooms in alt apps

The closest thing to a classic chat room today is a live group room inside an app built for alternative people. You open the app, pick a room and start talking to whoever is around.

On Alt Chat, these are called Night Chats. Some rooms are always open, like "Can't sleep", "Hello" and "A/S/L · IM Me", and anyone can start a 24-hour room on any topic, from "post-punk only" to "Help me pick boots". There's also The Hangout, a room where everyone shows their real profile, which is nice when you want to know who you're talking to. If a chat clicks, you can move to a private message.

Discord servers

Discord is where a lot of goth communities live now. There are servers for goth music, alt fashion, specific bands, regional scenes and general spooky chatting. Most have channels for introductions, music sharing, outfit photos and memes. Look for servers with clear rules and active moderators.

Reddit communities

Subreddits like r/goth and r/gothsubculture are more like forums than chat rooms. They're great for outfit feedback, music recommendations and "is this goth?" debates. Replies come slower, but threads stick around, so you can find old gems.

Local group chats

Many cities have group chats or social pages run by club night promoters or local goth communities. Ask at your next goth night, or check the promoter's socials. These chats are gold, because the people in them actually live near you.

Feeds where people post and comment

Some conversations happen in comments rather than live chat. On Alt Chat's Realm, members post threads, photos and music videos, and people talk underneath them. It's a slower, friendlier place to start if live rooms feel like a lot.

For a bigger list of spaces, check our guide to the best online alt communities.

What people talk about in goth chat rooms

Expect a mix of:

Music. New darkwave releases, deep cuts from Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees or Christian Death, and newer bands you've never heard of. See our list of new goth bands if you want to bring some recommendations.
Fashion. Boots, makeup, thrift finds, DIY projects and "rate my outfit" photos.
Horror and film. What to watch this weekend and which vampire movie is the best (there will be arguments).
Local scene news. Club nights, shows, markets and meetups.
Late-night nonsense. At 2 a.m. every goth room eventually turns into a debate about which cryptid would be the best roommate.

Ideas for your own 24-hour room

If you can't find the conversation you want, start it. A themed room gives people an easy reason to join. Some ideas that tend to work:

"Post-punk only", where everyone shares one song at a time
"Rate my outfit", for honest, kind fashion feedback before a night out
"Vampire movie tribunal", to settle which vampire film is the best once and for all
"Thrift haul show and tell", for bragging about that two-dollar lace blouse
"First goth album", where everyone shares the record that started it all
Your city's name plus "goths", to find people nearby for the next club night

Keep the room name short and clear, say hi to every newcomer and ask a question to get things going. A good host makes a room feel like a party.

How to be welcome in a goth chat room

Read before you type

Spend a minute seeing what people are talking about. Jumping in with the same topic shows you're paying attention.

Open with something easy

Good first messages:

"Hi! What's everyone listening to tonight?"
"Just found this room. Any new darkwave I should hear?"
"Okay, settle this: best Cure album?"
"I need boot advice. Platforms or pointy?"

Our list of conversation starters for goths has many more.

Reply to other people

The fastest way to make friends in any chat is to respond to what others say. Ask follow-up questions. Share a song back. Laugh at the jokes.

Don't gatekeep

Goth is wide. You'll meet trad goths, romantic goths, pastel goths, cyber goths, people who just discovered the scene last month and people who've been going to the same club since 1987. Everyone counts. If you're curious about the different styles, our guide to types of goth is a fun read.

Keep it friendly

Treat chat rooms like a good club night. Be kind, be a little weird, don't be creepy. If someone's not interested in talking, let it go.

Staying safe while you chat

Most goth spaces are lovely, but some basic habits help:

Don't share your address, workplace or financial details.
Be careful with photos you wouldn't want shared.
Take things slowly before meeting anyone in person, and meet in public.
Use block and report tools without guilt.

For more, read our online dating safety tips. They apply to making friends too.

From chat room to real life

The best part of a goth chat room is when it spills offline. You find someone in your city, realize you both want to see the same band, and suddenly you have a show buddy. Some chat friends become real-life best friends, and some become something more.

So pick a room tonight, say hi and ask what everyone's listening to. Somebody will have a song you need to hear.

FAQ

Are there still goth chat rooms?

Yes, though they look different than the old web chat rooms. Goths now chat in live rooms inside alt apps, on Discord servers, in Reddit communities and in group chats that grow out of local scenes.

What is the best goth chat app?

Look for an app built for alternative people, with live group rooms rather than only one-on-one dating chats. Alt Chat has Night Chats, live rooms where goths, emos, punks and metalheads hang out, plus private messages when you click with someone.

How do I start talking in a goth chat room?

Say hi and ask an easy question, like what everyone is listening to tonight. Read the room for a minute first, match the vibe, and reply to other people's messages instead of only posting your own.

Are goth chat rooms safe?

Most are friendly, but use the same common sense as anywhere online. Don't share your address or financial details, move slowly before meeting anyone, and use block and report tools if someone makes you uncomfortable.