"In a dimly lit basement bar in San Francisco's Haight neighborhood, scores of singles with preened hair and sharp outfits hold mixed drinks in sweating plastic cups. They chatter, mingle and take part in a production billed as a "comedy dating show." Up on stage, eligible bachelors and bachelorettes choose potential dates from interested parties who come up from the crowd."
"While these throwback events may not replace dating apps any time soon, many singles still believe there's something special about meeting for the first time face to face. "I feel like in person it is more organic, you get a vibe," said Sabina Rodriguez, 57, who has attended multiple speed dating events in the South Bay. "There's just little quirks and things that you can find out just by talking with someone. The conversation is more intimate.""
"From message boards in the '90s to the advent of Tinder in the 2010s, virtual meetings have by far become the most popular way to find partners. Even so, there are signs that the ironclad hold has begun to fray, at least a bit. Tinder, while still the most popular dating app, has seen usage decline around the country since its peak in 2022, while Bumble, the second most popular dating app,"
In a Haight basement bar, singles attend a comedy dating show where bachelors and bachelorettes pick potential dates from the crowd. Attendees include a range of personalities and professions, and some leave with exchanged numbers while others do not. Similar speed dating events, mixers and meet-ups have resurged across the Bay Area as hundreds of singles step away from apps to meet face to face. Many participants report that in-person meetings feel more organic, reveal quirks and prompt more intimate conversation. Online dating and smartphone apps dominated for decades, but Tinder's usage has declined since its 2022 peak.
Read at The Mercury News
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