Whether you’ve just finished sifting through the rubble of a recent breakup and you’re looking to get back on the horse (so to speak), or you’re out on the hunt and wondering how to find the one, at some point we’ve all been there, trying to shake ourselves out of the slump that sometimes accompanies singledom. Apps and websites like Tinder and eHarmony have revolutionised dating, widening the possibilities of potential partners who you might never have met otherwise.
But if you’re sick of hook-ups that don’t go anywhere or boys that leave your messages on read, consider trying out these hotspots and methods to meet guys without online dating. We promise they don’t involve endless swiping, vague bios that consist of two lines (one of which is just emojis), or forever unsubscribing your email address from dating sites you wish you never signed up for in the first place.
10. If you must wait, wait together
There are lots of activities that involve waiting, like standing in line for coffee, standing in line for movie tickets, standing in line for club and bar entry…you get the idea. If you hit it off with someone in line, remember that you’re both there for a similar reason, if not the exact same reason, so why not share a few witty context-relevant comments to while away the time? If it goes well, trade contact details, and if not, just fade away into the crowd or distance and never think about them again.
9. Make the most of man’s best friend
If you’ve got a furry friend, you’re probably already heading to the dog park on a regular basis, so you should take the opportunity to get to know other dog-owners in your area. If your dog takes a liking to another dog and you take a liking to its owner, try organising a playdate for your pets so you can all see each other again!
If it doesn’t lead to anything, you’ll still get to spend quality time outdoors with a friendly pup, and dogs make everything better. (If you don’t have a dog, offer to dog-sit for your friends or neighbours – they’ll love it and so will the dog).
8. Be a team player
In addition to increasing your activity levels, co-ed sports clubs are also a great option if you’re wondering where to meet men. There’s a good chance any guy you meet there will have an athletic aesthetic and a positive cooperative attitude, and if you don’t meet your special someone, team sports are still a fantastic opportunity to get fit and have fun. It’s a win-win situation!
7. Lend a helping hand
Nothing says compassionate like giving back to the local community, and anyone you meet while volunteering around your area is bound to share your kind-heartedness, so consider signing up to help out around animal shelters, soup kitchens, homes for the elderly, or wherever you feel your skills would benefit those in need. Even if you don’t meet the ever-elusive Mr. Right, helping others is its own reward.
6. Get your game face on
Plenty of single guys like playing video games, so why not check out some arcades or gaming-themed lounges and bars? There are games to suit everybody’s taste these days so even if you don’t find a guy, you’ll still have fun! Catch the eye of a cutie by shaking your booty to Dance Dance Revolution (wear appropriate footwear!) or impress him with your reflexes at a retro pinball machine –you might even be able to convince him to win you a prize from the claw machines!
5. Brush up on your reading
When you’re done reading about how to find a man, try heading to your local library or bookstore to show off your smarts and put what you’ve learned about how to meet men to the test. Float around the sections that contain your favourite genres and/or authors and strike up a conversation with someone who shares this interest. Instant common ground, and if you don’t pick up a guy, you can pick up some new reading material!
4. Go away on a flirty vacay
Expand your horizons and go somewhere new, with friends or on your own. It doesn’t have to be somewhere exotic, it could be somewhere close by you haven’t visited yet. People are more relaxed when they’re holidaying, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to meet interesting folks. There’ll be those who are staying at the same accommodation or seeing the same sights as you, locals who can show you the hidden gems of their region, or even people from your area who happen to be taking a similar trip. Whoever you meet, you’ll be on holiday, so let your hair down and enjoy your time off!
3. Buy a round
It’s so awkward sitting alone at bars, waiting for men to approach you and ending up with some sleazebag you’re not interested in hitting on you, so that’s why we’re suggesting you make the first move! It’s fairly uncommon for women to buy men drinks so offering to do so will definitely get his attention, and it will show that you’re an independent, confident gal. If he declines, move on and let the embarrassment evaporate – you never have to see this person again, and you get to save your money for the next lucky guy (or yourself)!
2. Never stop learning
Classes and workshops exist for just about everything from specific styles of dance, cooking, learning new languages, DIY crafts, and more. A lot of these activities will involve partnering up, and you never know who you’ll meet at one of these events (though it will obviously be someone with similar interests to you and a thirst to learn, which you can do together). Worst-case scenario, you won’t be leaving empty-handed as you’ll come away with new skills and knowledge you didn’t have before.
1. Party on
Just like the age-old question about whether a tree falling in a forest makes a sound, if your friend throws a party but doesn’t upload photos of it to social media, did it even happen? Regardless of the answer, if you get invited, make an effort to be there! Gatherings can serve as some of the best places to meet men as the attendants, yourself included, have all been carefully selected according to your friends’ standards. In short, if you like your friends, you’ll probably like their other friends too, and if you don’t, you still get a party out of it!