Singles are finding new ways to meet IRL: Pre-Dating featured in the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel
Swiping fatigue is real — and singles are finding new ways to meet IRL: Find events here
By Lois K. Solomon | South Florida Sun Sentinel
PUBLISHED: September 9, 2026 at 9:50 AM EDT
THINGS TO DO
Singles exhausted from the disappointment and impersonal nature of dating apps are hitting “delete” on their phones and looking instead to an old-fashioned way of connecting: live, in person.
Although some have met their matches through apps such as Hinge or Tinder, many say they are tired of swiping right and risking being rejected, ditched or ghosted.
Boca Raton resident Katie Gootenberg, 36, said she rarely checks her dating apps anymore. She said she has met some interesting potential partners over the past few years but has mostly been frustrated.
“Dating feels more challenging than it should be,” said Gootenberg, a marketing professional. “Most of the people I’ve dated for longer periods, I’ve met organically. They didn’t come from the apps.”
Older dating sites that aren’t evolving quickly are taking a hit. Bumble reported a decreasing number of users and diminished engagement in its second quarter of 2026 report. And Match Group, which owns dating apps such as Tinder, Hinge and Match, said its total number of paying users plummeted 6% in the same second quarter, although it cited increasing engagement on Tinder and healthy revenue growth at Hinge.
At the same time, online ticket platform Eventbrite found “a cultural shift back to live experiences,” with in-person gatherings such as trivia nights up 403%, bird-watching up 131% and Pilates socials growing 84%.
If you’re also wary of dating apps and looking for more traditional ways to meet people, South Florida is home to abundant sports leagues, outdoors clubs, game nights and singles mixers. Here are some upcoming possibilities for those looking for IRL (In Real Life) experiences.
Speed Dating for Singles Age 30s-40s: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at The Penalty Box at Residence Inn by Marriott, 5730 N. State Road 7, Coconut Creek. Cost: $40.79. Visit pre-dating.com.
