I don't think it is so much that introverts don't like being around friends. It's that they have a hard time making friends because they are uncomfortable around strangers. Also introverts are going to prefer small groups to large ones. It's not that an introvert ever wants to be the center of attention but it is easy for them to get lost in the crowd. At some point you start to feel like you have to compete to participate in conversation. At least this is how I feel in my introvertedness...
I hate restaurants/bars/etc. that are too loud to hold a conversation. Background noise is ok as long as I can talk to the person across/next to me without screaming or being screamed at. I hate having to repeat myself...repeatedly...and having to ask other people to repeat themselves. At some point it just becomes too much effort and makes me feel more stressed than relaxed.
Maybe I just have the wrong definition of introvert in my head! I like and understand everything you said there. That's why I would much rather just hang out by a campfire and talk. Or just sit there as long as we are in each others presence. Conversation isn't necessary.