5 Best Ways to Meet Someone Without Dating Apps – How Singles Do It in 2026
In 2026, we see a clear shift in how singles want to meet. More and more people are looking for ways to meet someone without dating apps. Reddit threads, forums, and everyday conversations all point to the same thing: swiping feels exhausting, impersonal, and rarely leads to real-life connections. Choosing to step away from apps isn’t about giving up on dating — it’s about finding better contexts to meet. Here are five ways that actually work in 2026, based on how singles are meeting IRL today.
1. Activities and Hobbies Where Connections Happen Naturally
One of the most common pieces of advice in discussions about dating without apps is to do things where people already naturally meet. For example: cooking classes, wine tastings, and shared dinners. Sports and leisure activities like boule, padel, hiking, or kayaking. Or social and cultural activities such as quizzes, book clubs, and creative workshops. When the focus is on the activity — not on dating — the pressure disappears. Conversations happen on their own. Why it works in 2026: Shared experiences create faster and more genuine connections than profiles and chat ever could.
2. Use Your Social Network
Meeting someone through friends, colleagues, or acquaintances is still one of the most effective ways — even in 2026. Your network already knows you, often has a sense of who you might be compatible with, and can create natural introductions. A simple “let me know if you know someone who’s single” goes further than yet another match. Why it works: A warm start, less uncertainty, and a greater sense of trust.
3. Social Events and Communities
Meetups, after-work gatherings, book clubs, associations, and communities are often highlighted as better alternatives than both dating apps and nightclubs. Here, there’s a clear context, shared interests, and the opportunity to meet again. Why it works in 2026: Relationships are easier to build when meetings aren’t one-off encounters.
4. More Presence in Everyday Life – IRL
Small changes can make a big difference. Try putting your phone away at cafés, becoming a regular at a social spot you enjoy, or being open to small talk. It’s not about flirting — it’s about being available for connection. Why it works: Presence is often the signal many people are waiting for.
5. MinglMe – Activity and Dating in the Same Evening
The fifth option is created for those who want to meet someone without dating apps in 2026 — while still having safety, context, and the right people in the room. MinglMe – The Singles Social Club is an activity-based community where singles meet through shared experiences, not swiping. It’s a combination of activity, socializing, and dating — all in the same evening.
Examples of activities include Italian cooking, boule and games, kayaking, after-work events, dinners, and culture. Everyone is single. Everyone is in the same life phase. And connections happen IRL.
MinglMe – The Singles Social Club
MinglMe is not a traditional dating app. It’s a new way to meet singles in 2026 through activities where connections happen naturally. Here, you avoid swiping, performance pressure, and endless chatting. Instead, you meet through shared experiences, in groups, without pressure.
How to Become a Member of MinglMe
You create an account and can try MinglMe free for 14 days. When you book an activity, the trial period ends automatically because that’s when you start using the membership for real. After that, the membership costs 149 SEK per month, with no binding period. With us, you can see who’s attending, meet IRL, and chat afterwards but only with people you’ve actually met.
