Personally, I found work to also be an avenue to meet friends. You already share so much time together, it’s easy to build routines and find some common interests over time. There is less risk that in other settings, so if you don’t immediately click it’s no big deal and everybody likes a mildly positive and extrovert coworker (emphasis on mildly: either you strike up a conversation or you shield them from having to take part in one). Then friends of friends is the way to expand the circle
Personally, I found work to also be an avenue to meet friends. You already share so much time together, it’s easy to build routines and find some common interests over time. There is less risk that in other settings, so if you don’t immediately click it’s no big deal and everybody likes a mildly positive and extrovert coworker (emphasis on mildly: either you strike up a conversation or you shield them from having to take part in one). Then friends of friends is the way to expand the circle