The Top 12 Places To Find Singles Ready To Mingle

Whether it be a recent breakup you went through or a relationship that fell apart a few years ago, you're out in the single scene again, and you're ready to mingle with like-minded single folks. You might be asking yourself, "Where do I go?" Maybe it's been 20 years since you last went solo, back when the single scene was different. Nevertheless, you're ready to get back out there and want to know the best places to meet and mingle with other singles. In this article, we’ll be discussing 12 of the top places to show up at to meet your next special someone.

How many singles are there?

Decades ago, being single wasn't always celebrated, especially when society judged success with being married and having children. A lot has changed since then. In fact, there's even a National Singles Day, which is celebrated on the last day of National Singles Week (observed annually during the third week of September). According to the U.S. Census Bureau statistics, which is released each year in conjunction with National Singles Week, 44.9% of U.S. adults were single in 2019 (including unmarried, divorced, and widowed individuals). So, with close to half the U.S. adult population being single, where are the top places to find singles ready to mingle? Here are some places to start with.

The top 12 places to find singles ready to mingle

1. Health and fitness clubs

Not only are you assured of finding singles at the gym, but you're mingling with people who are on the same page when it comes to wanting to be fit and healthy. Getting a solid workout in can relax you and allow you to be your most authentic self when striking up a conversation. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These cause a positive reaction in the body and prime you for looking and feeling your best as you mingle with single workout partners at the gym.

2. The coffee shop

After you've had a good workout, why not treat yourself to a caramel latte or a vanilla macchiato? After all, you've earned it. Coffee shops provide a relaxing environment to sip on your favorite cup of java and strike up a conversation with other singles. With coffee shops looking more like restaurant lounges with oversized couches and large, comfortable chairs, and a menu that would put most mom-and-pop shops to shame, it can be the perfect place to settle in and chime up a conversation with other singles.

3. 5k runs

5k runs used to be for serious runners only. People training for 10k runs and marathons would train for months in advance, waking up pre-dawn and hitting the race route just as the sun was coming up. While there are still plenty of people who take it seriously, now you're bound to find many people who have running and socializing in common. There's a high chance that the other side of the finish line contains single men and women sipping on beer and wine, talking about where the next race with the best refreshments is taking place. At many races, you can find a live band or a DJ and singles who are more excited about mingling with other singles than their race time.

4. Sporting events

Picture this: the excitement of the crowd cheering your favorite team on, delectable food being served, drinks being poured, thunderous clapping, and smiles on everyone's face. This is the scene of the majority of sporting events whether it’s football, ice hockey, or basketball. Sporting events could be a sure recipe for success when looking to mingle with other singles. If you're cheering for the same team, you already have something in common, and if you're not, then a little playful banter usually doesn’t hurt and could lead to something more. Before long, you may know more about the other person than you do about the team you came to see win.

5. Parties

One of the top places to meet other singles is at parties. It can be anything from a kid's birthday party to a gathering with friends and family. Either way, there's usually at least a handful of singles who show up ready to relax and have a fun time. The dress is often casual, and so is the atmosphere. There's no agenda or pressure to meet up with someone, which can make it easier to approach other singles looking to meet someone new. 

6. Volunteer activities

Finding someone with common values and a heart for volunteering can be a win/win. Add to that the relaxed ambiance and a willingness to give back to society, and it can make volunteering that much more alluring. You're likely in it for the same reasons as everyone else there, which can strike a positive chord and a platform to mingle and discuss other things you both have in common. There are many outdoor volunteer activities as well, like cleaning up your local roadways or hosting a charity car wash. Outdoor volunteer events are just one way to rejuvenate your body and spirit with sunshine and fresh air while mingling with like-minded singles at the same time.

7. At the dog park

A recent study found that more than half (55%) of park and recreation agencies currently have at least one dog park. The availability of dog parks is especially popular among millennials (94%) and Gen Xers (92%), followed by baby boomers (89%). In fact, dog parks are one of the fastest-growing amenities a recreation agency can offer. Dating someone who loves animals as much as you do is often a required pre-dating prerequisite for most animal lovers. So, where better to weed out the crowd than at a dog park? Plus, having your furry pet play with other dogs gives you plenty of time to mingle with your newfound single friend.

8. Places of worship

If you attend religious or other faith-based services, you may be searching for a partner who shares these same values. Whether mingling over a cup of coffee and a Danish in the hallway after the service is over or volunteering at the quarterly yard sale to raise funds for the youth group to go camping, there will often be an endless number of opportunities to mingle with other singles who have spirituality as a common interest. Plus, there can be something special and intimate about worshipping, praying, or participating in other faith-based activities alongside other singles. This can be a powerful platform when you want to get to know other singles on a deeper level earlier on. 

9. Galleries and art museums

Galleries and art museums tend to be a very specified hobby. So, if you’re looking for someone with the same unique interests as you, consider mingling at your local art gallery or museum. You may just lock eyes with someone who has decided to spend their Saturday at a museum instead of a party or other busy scene. Time seems to stand still with people leisurely meandering from room to room, viewing the Rembrandts and Monets lined up against the walls. Before you know it, you could be mingling with another single discussing your varied interpretations of Jackson Pollock's Reflection of the Big Dipper or Monet's Irises.

10. Wine tastings

While many people think that wine tasting is more of a couple's retreat, you might be surprised to know that there are plenty of single people enjoying a 2013 Malbec or a 2017 Grenache straight from the fertile lowlands of Spain who relax in wine tasting rooms across America. The ambiance can be perfect for casual conversation and laughs. You both have wine in common, at the least, which could segue into a romantic dinner for two with a wonderful glass of Syrah or a Grenache Blanc to accompany the main dish of mahimahi.

11. The halls of academia

Art? Music? Dancing? Cooking? Find something you've always wanted to learn and take a course on it at your local community college. Chances are there are singles in the same class who have plenty of time to take courses because they don’t have a significant other taking up all their spare moments. You'll have a common interest already laid out, so all you may need is a little nudge to start up a conversation.

12. Bookstores

Bookstores are a lot like coffee shops with comfy couches to sink into and a coffee menu full of frothy and sweet java drinks to sip on while you relax with your favorite book. The air is often quiet and calm, which can make it easy to spark up a conversation with the person sitting just a chair over. Or skim the aisles for a book you’d like to read and ask for suggestions from someone else in that same aisle. You can also attend the events hosted by the bookstore and start conversations with other interested parties who have shown up. 

Online counseling with Regain

Jumping back into the single scene can be exciting and nerve-wracking. Having someone to patiently listen to your questions and concerns and give you knowledgeable advice can alleviate some of the hesitation you might be feeling. With the single scene changing seemingly every day, it may be comforting to know that online counseling is available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. At Regain, you can easily connect with a therapist through phone calls, video chats, or in-app messaging. You can meet with them at your convenience and find support while still making the time for dating and mingling with other singles. Your mental health doesn’t have to be neglected just because of time-constraints—reach out when you feel ready to get started. 

The efficacy of online counseling 

Some people may struggle more with the idea of dating due to conditions like social anxiety. Although social anxiety can hold people back, it can also be treated through online counseling. In one study, researchers assessed the efficacy of a therapist-guided, internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for those with social anxiety disorder. They found that the intervention significantly reduced the severity of SAD symptoms. CBT is type of therapy that helps people challenge and reframe their unhelpful thoughts into more helpful ones. 

Takeaway

If you’re single and ready to be mingle, it can be frustrating not knowing how to connect with other singles. In the digital age, many people have gone online to search for love, but this isn’t for everyone. If you’re wanting to meet other singles organically and in person, you may have to go out of your comfort zone to do so. The dating scene can be complex to navigate, but you don’t have to do it alone. Licensed online therapists can help you address the concerns you have about meeting new people and forming relationships with them. Regain can be an invaluable tool when you need a sounding board or just a listening ear.