Tired of swiping endlessly on dating apps like Hinge and wondering, “Where can I meet more women near me in real life?”
You’ve finally come to the right place.
I’m Blaine, a leading dating coach for men.
Today, we’re diving deep into exactly where you can meet women you’re attracted to, especially as we head into fall. We’ll explore 12 specific places and, crucially, discuss strategies for approaching women in these settings without being awkward or creepy.
Let’s get started! 🪂
1. Group Fitness Classes
Two brunette women in a gym in one-handed plank position, high-fiving each other while smiling
Group fitness classes such as yoga, spin, and CrossFit are fantastic locations to meet single women for several compelling reasons:
- Health-conscious women: These classes naturally attract women who prioritize their health and fitness. 💪
- Social opportunities: There are often built-in moments to chat before, after, and sometimes even during the class. 🗣️
- Mood booster: Exercise boosts endorphins and helps you stay in shape, which is always a plus. 😏
Still not convinced about group fitness classes?
I actually met my husband at a Barry’s Bootcamp class in San Francisco!
Here’s how he approached me, and it’s a pattern you can easily replicate:
- He made a brief introduction after class. His opening line was simple and effective: “Hey, I see you here often, and wanted to introduce myself…”
- Our first chat was short, but we started acknowledging each other at subsequent classes, leading to pleasant conversations.
- After a few interactions, he invited me to a housewarming party.
- I was traveling and couldn’t attend, so we exchanged numbers and scheduled a casual juice meet-up.
- And as they say, the rest is history!
You can use this exact approach to learn how to meet women in a group fitness setting.
Curious about meeting women at the general gym, not just classes?
Meeting women at the gym is different from group fitness classes due to fewer organic socializing opportunities. For more specific guidance, check out my guide on how to approach a girl at the gym.
2. Run Clubs
Good looking women in spandex running
Run clubs are arguably even better places to meet women than group fitness classes right now.
Why?
Many attractive, single women are joining run clubs specifically to meet single men.
Don’t just take my word for it. Check out this article highlighting how run clubs are becoming the new dating apps.
Run clubs are gaining popularity across the US and Europe. If you live in or near a populated area, chances are there’s a run club nearby.
Capitalize on the good weather and join one.
Simply Google “run club near me” to find a local group and start socializing.
Just ensure your cardio fitness is reasonable first.
It might be challenging to hold a conversation if you’re struggling to breathe!
3. Coffee & Smoothie Shops
Woman with blond hair in black sweater looking at her phone with a soft smile in a coffee shop
Coffee and smoothie shops are excellent places to meet women, especially in our increasingly remote-work culture.
See someone cute in line or sitting at a nearby table?
Here are three conversation starters:
- 🌞 For regulars: If you’re a daily visitor, simply introduce yourself. Say something like, “I’m Blaine, and I practically live at this table! I haven’t seen you here before—are you new to the neighborhood?”
- 🤓 For bookworms or workers: If she’s reading or working on something familiar, wait for a natural pause, then ask a contextual question. For example, “Is that Empire Falls by Richard Russo? I’ve been meaning to read that—how are you finding it?” or “I couldn’t help but notice you working on a spreadsheet—I spend too much time in those myself! How’s the model coming along?”
- 😳 For the strong coffee orderer: Try a playful tease! “Wow, triple espresso—big day ahead or a big night in the rearview mirror?”
On a related note…
Wondering if it’s okay to approach your barista or bartender?
It can be! Build rapport over several visits first.
If you sense a genuine connection, consider asking her out for a coffee or drink somewhere she isn’t serving. 😉
Remember, people in the service industry are paid to be friendly.
This means:
- You need a real indication of her interest beyond just professional courtesy before asking her out.
- If you do ask, treat anything less than an enthusiastic “yes!” as a polite “no.”
4. Volunteer Activities
Brunette woman wearing a t-shirt with the word volunteer printed on it, placing canned goods into a bin
Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet single women, especially those who are compassionate and community-minded.
Want to start volunteering and meeting people?
Explore websites like VolunteerMatch or search Google for volunteer opportunities based on your interests. For example, you could search:
- “Volunteer planting trees” 🌳
- “Volunteer serving meals” / “volunteer food bank” 🥫
- “Volunteer building homes” 🏠
Churches and other faith-based organizations often organize volunteer events, offering another avenue to meet like-minded individuals, including single women.
Remember, the right mindset is crucial.
- ❌ Volunteering solely to meet and hit on women: This will likely be transparent and off-putting.
- ✅ Volunteering to contribute to a cause, with the bonus of potentially meeting someone: This approach is much more likely to foster genuine connections.
5. Dog Parks
Brunette woman in a red flannel holding and kissing a large brown dog
If you own a dog, it can significantly enhance your dating prospects!
Dog parks, and parks in general, are natural environments for meeting women.
Next time you’re walking your dog, if you spot an attractive woman with hers, initiating a conversation can be as simple as:
- 😍 “Your dog is adorable! What’s her name?”
- 🐶 “Is that a Maltese? He’s so friendly. How old is he?”
- 👋 “I see you and your dog here quite often, but I don’t think we’ve formally met. I’m Blaine, and this is my pup Dee Dee. What are your names?”
Conversation about your dogs should flow naturally from there!
6. Foreign Language Classes
Brunette woman seated on bench on a university campus with a notebook on her lap
Remember how easily you met girls in school just by being present?
Foreign language classes offer a similar dynamic for meeting women as an adult!
Enrolling purely to meet women is not recommended. 🙄
However, if you’ve considered learning a new language…
You’ll quickly find yourself interacting with like-minded women in a beginner class.
Foreign language classes can also inspire unique date ideas.
For example, dining at a French restaurant if you’re learning French, or perhaps planning a trip to Japan together if you’re studying Japanese. ✈️
7. Rec Sports Leagues
Brunette woman wearing athletic clothing with ponytail lacing up sneakers
Recreational sports leagues are another accessible way to meet women near you.
Most cities with populations of 10,000 or more have informal leagues for sports like softball, kickball, volleyball, soccer, and more.
To get started, inquire about rec sports leagues at your workplace (many companies sponsor teams) or search online to find leagues in your area.
Worried about being under-skilled or not athletic enough?
Don’t be! 😊
Some rec sports leagues are more competitive than others.
However, most leagues are primarily social organizations, not intense competitive environments!
Explore your options and find something that aligns with your interests and abilities.
8. Restaurants
Stylish Asian woman seated in a restaurant holding a beer and smiling
When you’re dining out, and an attractive woman catches your eye…
You absolutely can and should initiate a conversation!
There are some etiquette considerations. Avoid interrupting a woman on a date, and approaching large groups can be challenging.
However, if she’s dining alone or with a female friend, try breaking the ice with a contextual comment:
- 🍕 “Excuse me for interrupting, but I have to ask about that pizza. Is it the burrata?”
- 🍹 “Hope you don’t mind me asking—are those Aperol Spritzes as good as they look?”
Depending on her response, you can move forward by:
- Continuing the conversation if you connect and she invites you to join her. 🗣️
- Offering to send her a drink if you feel a spark but continuing the chat in the moment feels awkward. 🍸
- Respectfully moving on if she doesn’t seem receptive. 🤷
Want to increase your chances of meeting women quickly?
Make it a habit to ask a woman a question about her meal whenever you dine out!
Just remember to keep your interactions friendly and manage your expectations.
9. Dance Classes
Three women in athletic outfits facing into mirror in a well lit dance studio
Dance classes are arguably my top recommendation for men wanting to meet women in person!
Why?
- Attractive women are drawn to dance classes. The gender ratio is often significantly skewed towards women, potentially 2:1 or even higher. 👯♀️
- Dance classes encourage interaction. Many styles, especially partner dances like tango, inherently involve interaction. 🤝
- Dance classes are physically active. Great for fitness (calorie burn!) and mental well-being (endorphin release!). 🔥
- Dancing skills are attractive. Even if you don’t meet someone in class, knowing how to dance boosts your appeal on any dance floor. 🕺
Search online for dance studios nearby or look out for studios when you’re in downtown areas.
A word of advice…
Don’t expect to instantly love your first dance class.
There’s a vast range of dance styles. If you prefer country music, you might not enjoy hip-hop or waltz, but you might love two-step! 🤠
Explore different styles to find something that resonates with your personality and preferences.
10. Online (e.g., Dating Apps like Bumble)
Blond woman seated on a park bench, smiling while looking at her phone screen
If you’re reading this, the idea of meeting women online might elicit a groan.
Perhaps you wouldn’t be searching “how to meet women” if dating apps were working effectively for you and providing quality matches. 😒
But here’s the truth…
Once you optimize your profile, meeting women online becomes considerably easier!
Seriously.
The problem for most men is poor self-marketing on dating apps, leading to:
- Many men struggling with few or no matches. 🥲
- A small percentage of men with strong profiles getting most of the attention. 😙
Ready to get better matches on apps like Bumble and Hinge?
I provide detailed, step-by-step instructions in my free guides (accessible below), but in short, you need to focus on three key areas:
- 📸 Improve your photos. Replace outdated, low-quality photos with fresh images that showcase your personality and lifestyle.
- 📝 Write a compelling bio. My top tip: be specific. Instead of saying “I love to travel,” share vivid details about your last trip, engaging the reader’s senses.
- ☑️ Add proof points. Features like photo verification, offered by most apps, reassure women that you are genuine and not someone to be wary of.
I understand dating apps can feel rigged against men.
However, I’ve helped countless men go from zero to numerous matches per week, proving that the issue isn’t you, it’s your profile.
Don’t lose heart!
11. Through Work
Asian woman seated at a desk, looking to her side and smiling at an unidentified male coworker in the foreground
This might sound controversial in today’s sensitive climate, but it needs to be said…
Work is a natural environment to meet a romantic partner!
Consider it:
You spend significant time with colleagues, you often share similar interests and backgrounds, and you have regular reasons to interact. 😏
Approach with caution when considering a coworker, though. My free guide on signs your coworker likes you (plus how to approach) offers valuable advice.
Key points to remember are:
- 🐢 Take things slowly.
- 😅 Assume anything less than an enthusiastic “yes!” is a “no.”
- ⚾ One strike and you’re out (don’t ask the same colleague out more than once).
12. Through Friends
Three people, one man and two women, seated together in close proximity, in what appears to be sports bleachers, clapping and smiling
If you’re asking how to meet women, “through friends” might seem like a simplistic answer.
If it were that easy, wouldn’t you have already met someone?!
But here’s the reality…
Friends are an incredible resource for meeting women, if you are proactive.
Here are three intentional strategies to meet women through your social circle:
- 🍖 Host a +1 event. Organize a BBQ or gathering at your place, invite your friends, and ask each to bring a friend you haven’t met. This guarantees new introductions!
- 💌 Ask for introductions directly. You’d be surprised how many people enjoy playing matchmaker. Directly ask your friends for introductions: “I’ve been dating but haven’t found the right person yet—do you know any women you think I should meet?”
- 🤝 Expand your social circle. If you think, “My friends don’t know anyone interesting…” it’s time to make new friends!
Also, don’t underestimate the value of platonic female friendships. Women typically have broader social networks of women than men do. 🙂
Wrap Up & Next Steps
Cartoon image with text saying "The End"
Now that you have a solid understanding of where to meet women…
Are you ready to approach women effectively, without being awkward or off-putting?
Check out my newest course, Approach Academy.
You’ll learn my straightforward five-step process for meeting women and creating genuine chemistry in real life, even if you consider yourself introverted.
If in-person approaches aren’t your preference right now…
Here are 3 more ideas to elevate your dating life:
Idea #1: Unlock my best FREE guides
Blaine in a green shirt on a staircase, smiling.
I’m excited to share my top FREE dating guides with you:
- 📲 What I Swipe Right On: Get more matches on dating apps like Hinge, quickly.
- 💬 Master The Message: Learn what to text to build more chemistry.
- 🏀 How To Bounce Back: Dating advice 101 for men who are newly single.
- 😅 You’re Nice, But…: Learn how to stop being too nice to women.
Just let me know where to send them!
Idea #2: Follow me on Instagram
Join over 700,000 guys for daily dating tips on Instagram! Don’t be the one to miss out. 🙄
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Blaine Anderson • Dating Coach For Men (@datingbyblaine) • Instagram photos and videos
