How to Find Someone to Date: Online and Offline Dating Hotspots

Adam Cohen
Online Dating Adviser
4 min readSep 12, 2024
how to meet people do date

Only 42% of single Americans are interested in dating, and only half of those are interested in serious long-term relationships. This doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be alone. It merely means you need to learn where to find people to date. And I’m here today to go over the best options with you, highlighting the pros and cons of each.

The Best Dating Apps To Meet Singles In The USA

Where to Meet People to Date

Online dating sites and apps have taken the lead among the most common ways how to find a man to date (or woman to go out with). Nearly half of single Americans use them to find partners, and below are some platforms you could try.

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How to Meet Someone to Date Online

Dating apps and sites are the easiest answer to where to find dates, and the most popular among American singles, 39% of whom prefer online dating to other means of finding love. Your chances of finding at least one person to date will increase if you follow a few simple steps:

  1. Pick a dating site suitable for your dating goals. For example, mature singles will have more luck on SilverSingles, while Zoosk is better for searching for Gen Zs and Millennials.
  2. Create an appealing online persona. It should reflect your personality, interests, and passions, but present them all in a positive light, especially when it comes to profile photos and other pictures.
  3. Experiment with different search methods. Most dating apps come with standard search filters for you to specify the preferred age, looks, and interests of your potential matches. However, some sites also include random matching or swiping features, while others, like Zoosk, employ smart matching algorithms. Choose the most comfortable and convenient search method and pay attention to the profile details of potential partners.
  4. Get in touch and build personal connections. Online dating apps make it easy to start chatting and getting to know each other, as the stakes and awkwardness levels are low. To increase the likelihood of getting a response, wrap a compliment in a question about something you have in common.

Although dating sites are definitely the most efficient approach to singles meeting singles, don’t be discouraged by the lack of responses. Try again, be patient, and you’ll soon have your dates.

🔗Don’t miss this: Do Dating Apps Work? — Online Dating vs. Traditional Dating

The Best Ways to Find Someone Offline

If online dating isn’t for you and you’re wondering how to find dates in real life, let me share a few effective options:

  • Mutual friends and family members. Almost every third American couple meets through mutual acquaintances, so it’s still one of the most common ways to find someone to date. And if you’ve already met everyone you could, it’s time to broaden your social circle using one of the following methods.
  • Your passions and interests. These may range from visiting a local bookstore or coffee shop to a dog park or music festival. They have the benefit of highlighting what you have in common and providing instant conversation starters. For example, if you meet during sporting events, you can share your favorite game moments, plays, etc.
  • Bars and restaurants. Only around 8% of couples in America meet in restaurants or bars, as this approach has fallen out of favor, especially during the pandemic. Still, some eye contact, flirty smiles, and shared drinks can lead to a date.
  • Religious organizations. Meeting in a place of worship is popular among 5% of Americans. Besides, this way, you know you share similar values and traditions. And if you feel awkward getting dates at church, you can use religious Facebook groups to get to know local singles.
  • Events for singles. Local meetups and speed dating events orchestrated by a dating coach are perfect for finding women to date or men to ask out, as most attendees are usually single and looking for relationships.

As you see, each of these methods has unique benefits, but they share a common flaw — there’s usually no way to know if the person you’re chatting up is single or looking for a partner. That may lead to awkward situations and unpleasant rejections unless you were set up for a blind date or met at a specialized singles event.

Expert’s Notes

I’m sorry, but there’s no secret all-in-one solution for how to find a guy to date or how to get a girl to go out with. It all comes down to luck, but online dating apps and sites provide the highest likelihood of success compared to other methods. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to put in the effort. Work on your profile and pay attention to what others say about themselves. Although you may not get a date with the first person you contact, with some time and patience, you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for.

Final Thoughts

We’ve gone over all the places where to find someone to date online and offline. Now it’s up to you to decide which approach works best for your lifestyle and relationship expectations. I encourage you to combine online and offline dating methods for the best results.

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Adam Cohen
Online Dating Adviser

Editor on OneBeautifulBride, writer, travel lover. I create the most relevant content that helps single people and couples to build strong relationships.