Where should you go to meet single people in the city?

Annnnd we’re back!

I know it feels like a million years (and we’ve all aged horribly), but it’s actually only been a few weeks since your favorite writer ventured off to Europe, and now I’ve returned!

Last article’s winning poll item was, “How to Meet Single People in New Haven.” Which is great, because I am wildly unqualified to write about that.

But hey, it’s never stopped me before.

Of course, this article is going to look a lot like B2R’s Guide to Making Friends in New Haven, since they’re pretty similar skills. After all, isn’t a lover just a friend you want to make out with and then eventually you’re like oh hey I guess we’re boyfriend/girlfriend or boyfriend/boyfriend or girlfriend/girlfriend or whatever now.

That’s how that works, right?

No? Cool. Well. Whatever, I’m the one writing here, okay, pal?!

Kickball is King

Yep, that’s right. Kickball isn’t just a great way to make new friends and humiliate yourself in front of strangers, but also a great way to meet young, single, mildly athletic people of the opposite (or same?) gender.

Plus, you get to see what everyone looks in the normal t-shirt/shorts in a bright, well-lit environment (the WORLD) while they’re having a kickball smash into their face, so that’s good.

And you also learn if someone is likely to be insanely competitive and scream at strangers. Normally it takes at least four or five dates for that to come up otherwise.

All that day drinking and competition definitely works up an appetite for LOVE, so get out there and score one for the Gipper. Oh man, that is a weird metaphor in this context.

Dog Park Paradise

If you have a dog, dog parks are pretty much the best way to meet dudes or ladies. Dogs are basically magnets for attractive people. Heck, I’ve considered getting a dog solely for the purpose of attracting women.

But I don’t cause I’m a cat guy cause dating is almost too easy for me as is, so I need the handicap of being a grown man with a cat.

Also, don’t be one of those guys or girls who just shows up at a dog park creeping on other people’s pets. That’s gross. Don’t be gross.

There’s a dog park over on Union Ave near Wooster Square, a new one near Corsair in East Rock (supposedly), and another on St. Ronan Street, which is doubly nice cause you can stare longingly into rich people’s windows. Is… that not okay?

Dance Your Heart Out

Looking for something different? New Haven has a few random dance events going on. I know New Haven has an active salsa dancing scene. And you know what gets people going? Rhythm.

There’s also the Yale Tango Club, which is apparently open to anybody. So that’s something to consider.

This is a better suggestion for dudes than ladies, cause I think there are way more women at these things, but all the more reason for some guys to show up and cut a rug!

If you can show a lady you can get past your embarrassment and try to learn some dance move? Come on. You’re practically Don Juan.

Art Brings Out the Best

Why not do something a little different, and hit up an art gallery opening? New Haven is an absolutely tremendous place to take in art, as there are countless galleries all over the city and a tremendous art scene.

There’s ArtSpace and Kehler Liddell Gallery and Silk Road Art Gallery and I think there’s some stuff that goes on at Erector Square and probably a bunch of other places, what am I, an artist?

But if you keep an eye out, there’s always tons of events going on, and it’s a great way to meet sophisticated, attractive people such as yourself.

In October, there’s the City-Wide Open Studios, which has a ton of openings and would be a great way to see a bunch of different art in a ton of different environments. You owe it to yourself to check it out.

Embrace Your Professional Side

There’s a bunch of young professionals-type meetups, such as CTYP and Pulse, which cater to young, employed people such as yourself. Oh, are you not employed? Well they don’t check, it’s fine, just lie. Like you do on your resume. It’s easy.

Sure, the events are ostensibly about meeting other professional people for networking, but I promise you at least half of those people are secretly looking to date. I’m not even sure if it’s a secret.

But sometimes it’s just easier to meet people under the guise of “Let’s network and talk about careers” rather than the super awkward, “Oh you’re single? So am I! We have so much in common.” Ugh.

CTYP has also hosted a few Speed Dating events and I have to say, I have gone on one and it was… somewhat enjoyable, honestly. There’s nothing quite like cramming 6 months of bad dates into 2 hours. It’s very… efficient.

Meet your Swole-mate

Okay, I will say that I generally advise against hitting on people at the gym. Most people want to be left alone. Especially if they have headphones in. So don’t do that.

However, there are more social gyms, like Crossfit, there I think you are probably a bit more encouraged to make friends, cheer each other on, etc. Plus, you know that person shares your values, such as dragging tires across parking lots and eating giant slabs of meat.

That’s the kind of shit relationships are built on.

There’s Always the Bar.

There’s a reason so many people hang out in bars, and it’s not strictly a love of alcohol. It’s for that chance meeting with that beautiful/handsome person across the bar who can’t take their eyes off of you. That’s something that really happens, probably, right?

However, not every bar is created equal. Luckily for you, you know me, and I have a drinking problem. So I’ve been to just about every bar. So I know where the cute people hang out.

Looking for Ladies…

In the mood for the female persuasion? Barcelona is a great place to check out. It caters to young, good-looking, well-dressed professional types. Some of whom even know how to dance.

Elm City Social also seems to attract a bevy of young women. They often roam in packs. Presumably there’s some way to talk to them. If you figure it out, let me know.

Geronimo is another great option for meeting women. That tends to skew a little older. Women in their 30’s who have already experienced some disappointment. You know. My type.

Finding the Fellas…

Finding guys is even easier. Just use craft beer and they’ll swarm to you. You can pretty much just leave a double IPA under a giant net and a guy will fall for it every time.

In that vein, Prime 16 and Cask Republic are both good options. You’ll find plenty of guys with beards and great taste in beer there. You’ll also be surrounded by dudes. Whether that’s a good or bad thing, I don’t know.

Barcade is another great option, because the only thing that brings out dudes more than craft beer is Galaga. Bonus points if you actually get good at Galaga. I can already hear the wedding bells ringing.

Looking for something more alternative… ?

Three Sheets is a great bar for those punk-rock types with cool grandma glasses and leather jackets who listen to bands with names like We All Died in the Arcade Fire or Face Melter or whatever.

Plus, their fried clams are DOPE.

Looking for the permanently impoverished… ?

Are you at Yale graduate student looking to meet other awkward intellectual types who don’t have money? GPSCY is perfect for you. But you already knew that cause it’s literally the only place you can afford to drink.

Well there you have it. More terrible advice from me. Well done everyone.

So what should the next article be about?

[FBW]

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