Start where everyone can find you
Vrijthof or Markt is an easier first meeting point than a bar somebody half remembers. Both are central, obvious on a map and close to the streets people use after classes or work. If your friends are arriving from Wyck, meet on the centre side of Sint Servaasbrug.
Do not try to reserve an entire evening in advance. A place to eat may need a table, especially for a large group, but the next stop can be decided once everyone is present. Maastricht is compact enough that changing your mind usually means a walk of minutes, not a new journey.
Make dinner the anchor
Choose whether the evening is actually about dinner. If so, book one place that can handle the group and check its menu for the people with dietary needs. If dinner is just fuel before catching up, a simple meal near the centre leaves more time together.
Students and visitors do not keep the same hours. Ask when the last person needs a train or a quiet exit before ordering another course. That small check is more useful than a list of ten bars, and saves an awkward split later.
One stop west of Vrijthof
Brusselsestraat is an easy continuation after the centre. At Shamrock, a Kofi Anan is one of the orders that comes up when friends are showing someone around. The Ban Ki Moon is the stronger variant; it is a choice for a long night, not a compulsory local initiation.
The drink is not confined to one address, though Shamrock makes a good one. If the group wants beer instead, or is headed home, follow that. A night with friends works because it belongs to the group rather than to a checklist.
Or go north for a film
If conversation needs a slower start, choose a Lumière screening and eat near the Bassin. Check the film language and subtitles before paying, particularly with an international group. The former factory district is pleasant for a short walk before or after the film.
This is the better plan on a wet evening or with people who prefer a definite finish. Walk back through Sphinxkwartier towards Markt rather than assuming everybody is staying out. Keep the return route and last train in mind before the film begins.