The Top 8 Place to Meeting Someone
I know dating is hard. I get it, I've been on the pointless hinge dates, and the ones that kind of feel like they're going somewhere. I have had the firework relationship, and the long relationship that should have ended two years prior.
So to make it a little bit easier, I want to list eight places that you can expect to meet a decent guy that you could be interested in. Now this isn't a surefire guarantee, Okay? Don't expect to go to this location and then leave an hour and a half later engaged. But you do have a chance of meeting someone that could be a good fit for you. And honestly in this post pandemic era we could all use a little love.
And listen if you are simply looking to smash, I am not judging you. However I don't think you need to read this long ass article to do so. Hop on Tinder and have your way. But if you are kind of ready to get back into dating, you’ve come to the right place. I've listed eight general places and I'm giving some examples that are DMV based.
And in the meantime, if you're still kind of comfortable dating from your couch hit me up, and let me run your Hinge for a week. I promise to set you up on five guaranteed solid dates.
Gym-Before I start, every single place I'm going to suggest is going to have a specific creep. Yes, there are gym creeps just like there are creepy people at the grocery store. Weirdos don't have a bias.
The gym is where you are going to find some pretty decent options. And look it's honest hour: you stink, he stinks, whether you're working out as a beginner, or a gym rat (although I would suggest avoiding those.) It's an authentic place to be your honest self.
Don’t get caught up with those girls who wear matching bra and leggings sets. Something about that just has a musty connotation to me. Sorry not sorry. You can go in there wearing whatever you want and workout however you want. Most times the guys that you'll meet are like normal people trying to stay in shape and better themselves. They are healthy and they're sober, or at least detoxing.
Honestly, this is like the place where you can meet the guy of your dreams and you don't even really have to leave your apartment. Start utilizing those building amenities people. Other places to check out are the Lifetimee gym, and any other gym with an actual popular brand name, like New York Sports Club. But be careful and beware don't go to your local rec center, or the YMCA. No, you need to go to a gym with functioning equipment, that has really high ceilings and treadmills with screens on them. Anyone paying rent in an apartment like that or willing to pay a membership to lift weights and shower in the same establishment, is someone who prioritizes their life and would benefit yours.
Cigar club- Let's say you like ‘em a little older. I'm not here to judge you baby. This is for your older black bald men, so any lady with a Steve Harvey fetish, this one is for you. Cigar clubs are gross, they are the grandpa’s hookah lounge. But it's a place that a lot of people go to waste money. And a lot of men who have like weird passions, or distinct hobbies. Plus a guy that's at a cigar club is more likely to want to go on a vacation, so he can smoke the cigars that he bought at the club, on vacation.
The men that are here are willing to spend money, while also having a practical conversation. In my opinion going to a place that doesn't focus on drinking yet has high quality drinks is an impressive place to meet and talk to someone. Most times these men may end up being with their buddies or pals, but I have this very strong feeling that they'd be incredibly intrigued to see you walk in the establishment.
Cigar clubs in DC- Casa de Monte Cristco Cigar Lounge and Bar it sounds sexier than it looks inside, Shelly’s b
backroom, TG cigar, Casta’s Rum Bar, and for the love of God do not go to a club that has frequent day parties and happens to ‘have a cigar room.’ Any man over 50 that is at Ozio nightclub has too many kids they’re avoiding.. And probably owns a fedora.
Hiking trail- Now I know, this could either be a really good sign or really bad sign. So listen, avoid the guy that's carrying the shovel and plastic trash bags. But a hiking trail is a great place to meet someone, in fact there's gonna be a couple places on this list that are really great and also happen to be outdoors. I personally am a baby hiker. I like the easier trails and I would suggest that you try those out first. Anyone that's super advanced isn't checking for women anyway, they are trying to beat a world record.
A hiking trail is a great place to meet guys that are trying to be active. I would say hike with a couple girlfriends, make a hiking group, check out any hiking groups that are on Facebook. It's such a wholesome way to meet people, and you actually can have pretty good conversation while taking care of yourself.
If you're in DC I would suggest Rock Creek park, there was only one murder that occurred there. Sugarloaf mountain, Whitehaven trail, klingle valley trail, Mount Vernon trail. Start there, and let me know what you think.
Bars NOT Clubs – OK I need to be very delicate with this one. There was a story of a woman who met a Prince at a club in DC. You will not, are not, and will never be that lucky. Going to the club to look for a man is like getting a salad at McDonald's. You could, but why would you want to? and is the quality even worth it?
But a bar, a bar is different. It also is not a lounge. Any place with a black DJ, or skinny white DJ who looks like he did little something-something, before his set is not a place to meet your quality spouse to be.
That doesn't mean that nightlife isn't a great place to meet someone. See it depends on the kind of bars you go to. If you go to a dive bar where there are ripped stickers and graffiti all on the bathroom stalls, you are going to meet a guy with great conversation and a warrant.
If you go to a bar that just kind of fits the aesthetic of someone in their mid 20s to late 30s, you've got a pretty good chance of meeting someone. A place where there are regulars, but they're not concerning regulars, they're people that have come to enough happy hours to decide to enjoy a night out at this particular establishment. Try a hotel bar, but only the ones near city areas and don’t have the word “Inn” part of the name. Go to a place where the glasses are clean, and there's at least one mixologist on staff. Go to a bar that occasionally does themes, one that has Bingo or Trivia night. You know how many regular people attend karaoke? And have a good time? A lot. Bonus points if the bars hosts College Alumni Events. You don't even have to go to the school. But I promise you if they're hosting that kind of event about 25% of people there are going to feel left out. They're going to go to the bar to burn time, and that's where you swoop in and meet the guy who majored in literature, but now works in tech.
Go to a bar where at minimum you are spending $20. Whether it is for a drink, or some sort of snack, or 2 shots.
Go there with a girlfriend, and strike up a conversation with a couple analysts who work at Deloitte. Or go there and buy a really delicious Margarita with salt on the rim, you are a grown ass woman. Go someplace where there is a jukebox that you can add music onto, do they even call them Jukeboxes anymore? Check out the type of bar that plays popular music that you and your youngest aunt would appreciate. Go to a place where the game is on but it's not necessarily a sports bar specific bar. That is the bar for you.
Here’s a few DC examples: Board Room, Service Bar, American Ice. Barmini, 12 stories, The Gibson, The Setting
Specific Food Shopping Establishments. – I'm kind of over this narrative that you're going to fall in love and meet the guy of your dreams at a grocery store but you may meet him at a specific grocery store. And when you guys meet, please just have a meet cute moment, exchange numbers and then go on a real date afterwards.
I’m talking Whole Foods, Traders Joes, Farmers Market. Don’t go to CVS or Shoprite to find a man.
Look grocery shopping is an energy draining task. And most of us are doing it online anyway thank you Uber Eats and Instacart. Which is why you need to go to the bougie grocery stores in order to find someone. People that are willing to go to Trader Joe's and deal with that ridiculous shopping complex, where some of the aisles are really short and the others are normal height, just seem like they want to make unnecessary eye contact. And somewhere down the line is a very handsome guy who only drinks matcha tea and is waiting for you. Trader Joe staff is supposed to be friendly so everyone just naturally in a good mood when they are there. Whole Foods, honestly best case scenario you meet a doctor…Worst case scenario you get a really good meal from the hot foods line.
Specific Department Stores- While I'm on the topic of stores, Home Depot is where it’s at. Again avoid the guy buying the shovel. But most times you might find people in the nursery, that's where all the plants and stuff like that are. And of course there is Target, or IKEA. Bookstores are acceptable too, especially the ones that connect to a furniture store or a small café if you’re feeling especially pretentious. These are places of course you'd assume that other couples would be, but I think that the most independent levelheaded type of people find their way in these stores, why because they're fun and enjoyable they're like a really wholesome secret that no one wants to admit that they're addicted to. And you have a really good chance of meeting a really normal guy.
Golf course - OK so you're in the mood for a rich guy. Look let me just do a disclaimer here: of course there are older guys on the golf course, but they are looking for a very specific type of woman and most times you are not going to be it probably, because you're five years too old. The golf course though you could go there and become a caddy and make a lot of money. So going there to apply for a job isn't far off either. But listen you end up meeting a bunch of uptight men who are coming to blow off steam by playing the world's most boring sport. To see a gorgeous smart confident woman just in the area, plus you're wearing a collared shirt? Oh they hit the jackpot baby.
Honestly go out there as a beginner, take your top golf skills and finally put them to good use. I would specifically say to go to the drive area where people are just continuously hitting golf balls. Most of these guys are the retired, divorced, or they have a son. The opportunities are endless.
DC Gold Courses- Rock Cree, Easton Potomac, Lake Presidential
Parks - Not at night like a creepy DL Politian, I mean the parks in the daytime on a warm day, in like large fields. OK so DC is famous for this either sitting out on the national lawn, or that really gross plot of land in Dupont Circle, or the Meridian park.
The weather is getting warm and I'm telling you the best way to spend your Saturday is with a blanket, a bottle of champagne, snacks, and sitting out in the sun while staring at the monuments. And you meet so many people. Like I went by myself once and ran into someone I knew from a long time ago. I would say go with a couple girlfriends and sit out and enjoy the day and you're going to be surprised at how many guys are throwing frisbees, or daydreaming themselves, and end up striking a conversation with you. I just feel like everyone seems more relaxed and it's such a chill setting. There's no pressure of like buying a drink, or loud music, everyone is just kind of at peace for a moment and I think you ended meeting your best type of person when that happens.
A Distant Friend’s Party - This is very specific. Your best friend from high school, or you close friend that you met two years will not work. Here's why, of course if you get invited and you meet someone there go for it. But sometimes things get weird when it's too close to home, like you don't s%*& where you eat type of thing. Which is why I'm suggesting meeting someone in the dating arena in an even playing field. So, for example if you have a coworker that consistently invites you to their get together, go. If you have an old acquaintance- buddy from college who just moved into a house, you should go. If you're invited to be a plus one at a friends invitation. Definitely go!!!! You're going to meet people organically who don't know you super well and you can actually define who you are on your terms in a social setting. And more times than none when you go to these parties where you don't have bunch of close friends, as buffers, you're kind of forced out of your comfort zone to talk to people.
Even those young professionals events, those weird networking parties that come up on your social media page or for some reason you're still registered via email. I say go to them, you end up meeting an array of people that are interesting and pretty cool and yeah some are presumptuous, but this is the best part, you never have to see them again if it doesn't work out.
Ultimately places that will garner the best results. Are places you’d enjoy. What are some things that you like to do, or some things you'd like to try to do? Sign up for them and meet people there. Whether it is a paint n sip, or a pottery class, or going to play tennis. You honestly are going to meet someone who has your similarities.. If there is an event go to it, if there it's a hobby that you have work on it, and the people that you're supposed to be with will fall in alignment. I'm telling you, all these places I listed are great, but your best bet at meeting someone who's into what you're into, who has values that you have, that has similar standards. Do things that reflect that within yourself. Yeah I know, I ended up getting super deep with that one. I just have to remind you that the person that you're interested in that would be a great candidate for your love life, is out there. Most likely they are just as confused and frazzled as you as to why they keep missing the mark. And the only reason that they're missing it, is because they haven't met you yet.