[Ad] More Singles Want to Meet in Person: The Move Away from Apps

Dating apps have reached about 350 million users around the world. About 25 million pay for features to help them find a match. Yet many still decide to meet someone in person, in a regular place, among real faces. Growing numbers say they want something that an app screen cannot give.

A common reason is that in-person meetings feel more genuine. With an app, you can scroll through thousands, but most conversations never really lead anywhere. Younger people use apps the most. In the US, almost 80% of people ages 18 to 29 have tried Tinder. But only three in ten US adults of all ages have used dating apps at all. Numbers show interest falling with age, and with each extra year, fewer people stick with the apps or feel satisfied after using them. Frustration grows when people get ghosted, see fake profiles, or sense a lack of trust. For many, these letdowns are reason enough to find another way.

Offline Trends Catching On

Several new ideas have become popular. Speed dating is one. You show up to a small venue, sit at a table, and speak to someone new every few minutes. After, you can choose whom you want to see again. People like that these events have structure and a set ending time, making it easier to approach the process with less pressure.

The supper club scene has also grown. People join for dinner, meeting new faces over shared meals. Here, the focus is on relaxed conversation. Others go for public mixers, art classes, or book clubs. These activities let people meet in a natural way, without the awkward starts and stops typical in messaging apps. Some dating groups host events for people who share a specific interest, sometimes it’s a certain hobby, other times age or background. People look for safe spaces where they can feel welcomed.

Why People Choose Face-to-Face Dating

Many are turning away from matching apps. Some enjoy meeting someone at a supper club or during a group dinner where conversation comes easier. Stories include people who prefer local book club mixers or public art classes, saying these settings help everyone relax and show themselves.

There are also stories about people who want certain qualities in a partner. For example, some want to date an established man, while others prefer shared hobbies or backgrounds. Each person brings their own hopes into these offline meetings, finding value in small moments like laughter over coffee or discovering a common interest while out together.

What Makes In-Person Dating Feel Different

Those who have switched back to dating offline mention a few reasons for the move. First, there is the chance to read body language. Small cues like a real smile or laugh help form a better idea of the person. There is less room for misreading, and things feel simpler with open conversation. Some say that dating in person helps with honesty and trust. Intentional dating, being open about what you want, supports better outcomes. Experts note that stating your goals early helps prevent confusion, and that in-person talk lets both people see and hear each other without guessing. Research also shows that when intentions are clear from the start, fewer misunderstandings happen.

Older adults, in particular, speak of the ease and comfort of these offline events. Many find online dating too fast or complicated. With age, patience for games fades. Instead, meeting in public, around friends or in a group, becomes the preferred method.

Safety Considerations

Safety matters in the dating world, no matter how you meet. With online platforms, users have reported risks, including fake accounts, stalking, and physical harm. Many feel exposed when meeting a stranger alone or when little is known besides what’s in a carefully chosen profile.

Offline events, like speed dating or supper clubs, offer a different setup. Organizers often check who attends. Events happen in places where others can see what’s going on. Most prefer the comfort of knowing help or support is close by if needed. This makes offline dating feel more secure for some, compared to online meetings that might lack this level of care.

Who Is Ditching Apps? A Quick Look

The largest group on dating apps is younger people, especially those in their twenties. Still, data suggests people in every age group are moving offline to meet partners. Older adults report the strongest preference for in-person events. Many say the old ways of meeting, a friend’s party or a work gathering, leave a better impression. Even young adults who try dating apps still use offline options for more meaningful meetings.

Surveys have found that nearly across the board, people point to a wish for more real moments. Many say app matches rarely turn into what they want. The market for new offline events keeps growing as more see value in regular, face-to-face connections.

Real Outcomes from Offline Dating

Companies like SpeedNY Dating and HurryDate say their events have helped many people meet partners. Feedback from participants is often positive. People like knowing who is in the room and having permission to approach others for short, structured conversations. At supper clubs and social mixers, organizers hear the same thing: after a group meal, guests feel more at home, less anxious, and more able to show their true selves. The talk moves past basics and into honest, open ground.

Some guests recall meeting someone during a cheese tasting or a pottery evening. These stories are simple. They tend to mention a small moment, a shared dish, a funny joke, or a new friend. More say that in these calm settings, no one has to guess what the other person really means.

Experts: Intentional Dating Works

Specialists have weighed in. Relationship counselors say that dating with purpose, and speaking plainly about what you want, leads to more stable pairings. Studies found that when both people are upfront, there are fewer surprises. In person, it also becomes much harder to hide or fake behavior for long. The mix of body language and open words seems to drive stronger interest and more lasting results.

Surveys Show Growing Dissatisfaction with Apps

Numbers keep showing that a great many people are not getting what they want from swipes and matches. One study reports that even though more than 500 million might use apps soon, growing numbers express disappointment and move away from app-based dating. People want connection that feels real and easy to trust, and right now, those seeking a partner are finding it by coming back into rooms, shops, and supper clubs to meet face-to-face.