Dating in Real Life
Dating in Real Life: Why More Singles Are Choosing to Meet Offline Again
For a long time, dating apps have been seen as the easiest way to meet someone new. But for many singles in the UK, the novelty has worn off. Endless swiping, shallow conversations, and the pressure to perform online have left people feeling disconnected rather than connected.
Increasingly, singles are looking for alternatives, and many are rediscovering the appeal of dating in real life. This shift isn’t about rejecting technology altogether. It’s about wanting connection to feel more natural, more human, and rooted in shared experiences rather than profiles and algorithms.
Why Dating Apps Are Losing Their Appeal
There’s growing evidence that dating app fatigue is real. Surveys in the UK suggest a significant proportion of users now describe their experiences on dating apps as frustrating or emotionally draining. The promise of limitless choice often leads to the opposite effect: burnout, indecision, and a sense that connections are disposable.
For many people, dating has started to feel like another task to manage rather than something to enjoy. That’s prompted renewed interest in meeting people in ways that feel lower pressure and more grounded.
Do Couples Still Meet in Real Life?
Despite the dominance of digital platforms, meeting in person has never gone away. In fact, research indicates that a large proportion of couples in the UK still meet through everyday life, whether at work, through friends, or via shared interests. These connections tend to come with context. You see how someone behaves, how they interact with others, and how you feel around them. That shared environment can make conversations easier and connections more authentic.
What Does Dating in Real Life Actually Look Like?
Dating in real life doesn’t necessarily mean going on formal dates or approaching strangers in the street. For many, it simply means meeting others through activities they already enjoy. That might be:
- Turning up to a local walk, class, or talk
- Joining a hobby group or sports session
- Attending a community event or social gathering
The focus isn’t on dating first. It’s on participation, presence, and shared experience. Any connection that follows has space to grow naturally from there.
If this idea appeals, you can explore singles gatherings built around shared activities rather than swipes.
Communities That Champion Offline Connection
One community that captures this approach well is BODA (Bored of Dating Apps). Their events are designed for singles who are tired of dating apps and want to meet people face to face, without pressure or expectation.
The emphasis is on relaxed, hosted social events where connection is a possibility rather than an obligation. Their growing popularity reflects a wider appetite for offline connection and social experiences that feel human, welcoming, and unforced.
Overcoming the Awkwardness of In-Person Approaches
Approaching someone new in everyday life can feel harder than it once did. There has been a welcome shift in recent years away from unsolicited approaches in public spaces, which can feel intrusive, especially for those who are more vulnerable. While this is important for establishing boundaries and consent, it has also reduced the chances of spontaneous, real-world connections. Many singles simply don’t want to risk making someone uncomfortable, so they opt out altogether.
This is where organised meet-ups offer a valuable alternative. With a shared understanding of why everyone is there, these gatherings create a setting that feels safe and intentional. There’s less ambiguity around motives and far less pressure on individuals to make the first move. That’s why communities like BODA always have a host at their events. A visible host reassures people that they can come alone without fear of it being awkward, while helping to set expectations, welcome attendees, and create a sense of structure from the outset.
Hosted gatherings are central to Gather’s vision too. Our best practice guidance (to be published) encourages hosting as a way to make social interaction easier, particularly for those who feel lonely or hesitant about turning up alone. That reassurance can be a key ingredient in helping real-world connections form.
If you’ve ever thought “someone should organise something like this locally”, Gather makes it possible to do just that.
From Dating to Belonging
One of the biggest advantages of meeting people through community and shared interests is that the connection doesn’t have to be immediate or romantic. Familiar faces become conversations. Conversations become comfort. And sometimes, something more grows from there.
This approach removes the pressure to label interactions too quickly. It allows people to show up as themselves, without expectation, and build trust over time.
Is Dating in Real Life Right for You?
Dating in real life can work well for people who feel burnt out by apps, value shared interests, and prefer connection to grow naturally over time. Whether you’re newly single and easing back into social life, or you simply don’t identify with online dating culture, real-world meet-ups can be just the tonic.
And if you need further persuasion, it’s worth noting that studies suggest couples who meet in person often report higher satisfaction and deeper connections than those who meet online. Dating in real life is less about finding “the one” and more about opening the door to connection.
How Does Gather Support Dating IRL?
Gather isn’t about dating. It’s about helping people find and take part in real-world gatherings that reflect their interests, values, and communities. By making it easier to discover hosted, welcoming events, Gather supports the kinds of spaces where connection can happen naturally and without pressure.
While this isn’t Gather’s core focus, we actively support well-hosted singles gatherings as part of a broader move towards more intentional, real-world social connection. Behind the scenes, we’re encouraging local cafés, bars, libraries, and other underused spaces to host relaxed, community-led events for people who want to meet others in person, including those open to dating in real life, in settings that feel safe, friendly, and thoughtfully organised.
Whether it’s a book club, a walk, a supper, or a singles social, hosted gatherings help lower the barrier to turning up alone and make it easier for people to step into shared spaces with confidence.
In a world that often pushes connection online first, there’s something powerful about starting in real life, where people can simply show up, be present, and see what unfolds.