12 Alternatives to Online Dating (Because What Ever Happened to Meeting IRL?)

Picture this: You’re late for work and rushing out the door to run to your local coffee shop, but when you arrive, the line is practically wrapped around the corner. In a split-second decision, you set your sights on the competition—yeah, the one café that you vowed to never try…but desperate times call for desperate measures. And little did you know that the extra ten minutes in bed put you in the right place at the right time. You spot The One. They’re waiting for their coffee right next to you, and they smile that coquettish smirk. You just met the great love of your life.

Sound too good to be true? Well…yeah maybe, but then again, maybe not. Given how much attention is placed on meeting someone through any number of dating apps, it seems we all but forgot there are other methods of finding a S.O. than on your phone. Plus, who wants to deal with the chances of getting catfished or being ghosted? As much as you know, deep down, that you could meet The One anywhere, sometimes you need a little inspo to look at your regular haunts with a fresh perspective—or break out of your comfort zone entirely. That’s why we’re sharing 12 alternatives to online dating, proven to have worked by real couples. 

OK, it might be strange to show up to a dog park (sans dog) to scope out the eligible dog owners if you don’t have a pet yourself. But if that’s the case, why not borrow a friend’s dog? Seriously. Gallery Media Group’s Social Media Strategist, Ali Brown, met her boyfriend while at the Washington Square Dog Park. “We were both babysitting other people’s dogs,” and after her run-in with the little Boston Terrier and owner, Brown immediately texted her friend, “The cutest boy just got my number at the dog park.” Since their park run-in, they’ve been dating for a little over two years now. And If you’re more of a cat person reading this thinking, “But I’ll never go to a dog park,” (we see you, Capricorns), don’t you worry—there are plenty of cat cafés to wander into to find your next adoption and S.O. 

The commute may be rough and it may be the only time for you to complete you daily Wordle, read your book or listen to your favorite podcasts, but have you ever thought to look up and unplug from all the tech noise? You may just lock eyes with that cutie sitting across the cart from you. The one who’s been trying to catch your eye. Whether it’s the subway, train, Uber pool or, yes, even a plane, you may just happen to meet someone who will play a major role in your life. Fashion editor, Abby Hepworth, mentioned that her friend met her husband at the airport when her “cat, Oscar De La Renta, got sick in his carrier. She asked a man sitting near her at the gate to watch her stuff while she ran to the bathroom to clean up Oscar. When she got back, she was so flustered and kept apologizing.” Turns out, the two were seated next to each other on the cross-country flight. With the ice already broken, they talked the whole flight over, and the rest is history.

While all eyes may be on the bride and groom, that doesn’t mean yours can’t wander a bit. Weddings are the perfect place to meet eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Not only does the event bring so many people together from all over, but love is in the air (and it’s nearly impossible not to catch some of it). Plus, it just might help if you happen to be seated at the designated “singles’ table,” but if there isn’t one, go strike up a conversation with someone you find attractive and get to know them. An “are you with the bride or groom?” opener may be cheesy, but hey, it’s a start. GMG’s Director of Brand Partnerships, Alyce Tassoni, met her husband during the wedding rehearsal when they “were paired to walk down the aisle together at our friends’ wedding! I went to college with the bride, and he went to high school and college with the groom at the rival state schools.”

It may be the oldest trick in the book, but it’s got a spot in there for a reason. And whether you’re in Los Angeles, New York or jet-setting across the world, it’s always nice to treat yourself to a cosmo at a rooftop bar where you can catch some rays and enjoy the warmer weather. In such a casual vibe with alcohol flowing and your inhibitions down, it’s easier to approach that good-looking person you have your eye on just across the way.

Whether you’re into working out, photography, reading, surfing, stand-up comedy or whatever it may be, get more involved in social situations that let you hone that hobby, be it a class, open mic night, reading or Meetup. You might happen upon someone who shares the same love. So good news, bookworms, your next meet-cute can just possibly be at your local bookstore or library (just steer clear of anyone by the name of Joe Goldberg, because we all know how that ends).

Ever thought about joining your local soccer league or running club? Trying something new can be a great way to discover new talents, while also meeting people who are seeking the same adventure in their life. Learn a new skill or pick up an old one, all while meeting new people. Don’t believe us? PureWow’s very own VP for News and Entertainment, Philip Mutz, can attest to its success. Mutz says, “I met my partner of 5.5 years in a gay bowling league in NYC. We weren’t even on the same team, but I guess beer and bowling shoes were all the spark we needed to kickstart a successful romance.” Say no more—we’ll take lane 10 ASAP, please.

All work and no play? Well, you may just want to consider spicing things up in your workplace—while respecting HR’s policies. When you spend most of your week at the office, it’s nearly impossible not to get to know your coworkers really well (especially after a couple cocktails during the holiday party). Keep tabs on your workplace crush, because sparks might fly the next time you two strike up a conversation by the coffee pot or fax machine. In fact, Gallery Media Group’s Director of Revenue Operations, Erika Bellido-Jin, met her husband when they both started out as temps at her previous job. Forced to sit in reception due to a lack of desks, they quickly built a friendship in such close quarters. But once she was brought on as a full-time hire, they both assumed that her now husband would be let go. Feeling sad that she wasn’t going to share her daily lunch break together anymore, Bellido-Jin mustered up the courage to ask him out, and they’ve been together ever since. Eight and a half years later, Bellido-Jin says, “We still eat lunch together every day!” 

What’s more intriguing than the mysterious hottie at the coffee shop? On second thought, did that barista really just wink at you when you checked out? With more offices offering flexible WFH situations, posting up at your local coffee shop gives you plenty of time to see all the people coming in and out for their daily caffeine fixes. Plus, coffee shops are the best places to sip on an espresso while you tackle the next book in your TBR pile. A simple smile and a quick conversation on their book of choice can quickly turn into an impromptu coffee date.

Your best friend has seen you through some of your highest highs and lowest lows, so who’s better suited for the job than the one person who wants to see you happy? Gallery Media Group’s VP of Brand Partnerships, Dabee Kaye, was set up with her now husband in a rather comical mishap. When a neighbor sent a picture of the lucky man she was going to be set up with, he happened to be standing next to New York Mets player, David Wright. Not knowing that Wright wasn’t the one her neighbor had in mind (or who Wright was, in general), Kaye was intrigued and agreed to go out. Quickly realizing the mistake, Kaye’s neighbor pointed out the right date (pun intended). The two went forward with a first date on Valentine’s Day. “Aggressive, I know,” Kaye laughs, but they hit it off and have been married for 11 years. While she didn’t walk away with a Mets player, Kaye certainly hit a homerun anyway.

So your wanderlust is kicking in and you’re itching to capitalize on those vacation days you’ve been racking up. Why not go on that adventure and set your sights on new places, or dare we say, new people? You never know who you might sit next to on the plane (see number two) or who you’ll run into while scurrying around the city hitting all those must-see spots on your itinerary. You may just meet your Paolo at the Trevi Fountain and have a whirlwind two-week or lifelong romance. Carly Krauser, Gallery Media Group’s Senior Manager of Brand Strategy, met her boyfriend of 4.5 years through a friend (ahem, number nine), on a weekend excursion to Madrid the year she was studying abroad. The two didn’t stay in contact after meeting abroad, but a year and a half later, fate brought the two back together when they ran into each other at a bar in downtown NYC. Seems like Krauser just hit the online dating alternative trifecta! 

While things might have not worked out in the past, whether that’s due to pure circumstance or immaturity (hormones—need we say more?), who knows what a little time apart can do? After years of on-again, off-again flirtations with her college crush, my sister and her now fiancé decided to let their gut instincts take over and give their relationship a shot a year and a half after graduation. It seemed obvious to everyone who knew them that they were destined to be together from the moment they met, but when asked why it took so long for them to date, my sister said: “He was a bit of a player freshmen year, and I wanted to be certain that he was taking it seriously, so I let him chase me around for two years.” 

OK, just in case you’ve never heard of speed dating (what?!), here’s how it goes: You talk to a bunch of strangers (who, by the way, are all single) and at the end of the night, you fill out your preferences on a sheet. If you were intrigued by certain conversations or felt chemistry with specific people, then you can put it all down on the information sheet. If they felt the same way, the company will reach out to you with their contact information via email and voila! You’re on your way to dating. And if you’re looking for a “speed dating” type idea, but with a more modern twist, check out what your local area has to offer. Podcasts like NYC-based Drinks First not only discuss all things related to dating, but they also feature eligible singles in each episode that you can meet.

Ultimately, the options to meet someone are endless when you decide to minimize the noise and leave your phone at home. (Well, maybe not at home because you need to save those digits, but your pocket works, too). Your meet-cute might just be right around the corner.