Dallas dating shifts from swipes to nights out
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Since the pandemic and as Gen Z has come of age, people looking for love have soured on swiping.
- But approaching and connecting with strangers in real life is a different skill — and for many daters, a rusty one.
By the numbers: Singles events on Eventbrite doubled from 2022 to 2025, according to data shared with Axios.
People are looking for love at running clubs, private dinners — even wrestling speed dating. They're playing beer pong tournaments and giving PowerPoint presentations to pitch their single friends.
Zoom in: In Dallas, trivia nights are gaining traction as a way to meet.
- Those events increased by 600% during the first half of this year compared to last, per Eventbrite.
- And Tinder just announced it's bringing in-person dating events to Dallas and other cities.
What they're saying: George Rawlings, co-founder of dating app Thursday, is betting that singles are ready to put down their phones and meet face-to-face.
- His platform, which is active in nearly 200 cities worldwide, including Dallas, hosts curated events — from bar takeovers to pottery classes to ski trips.
- "Humans aren't really supposed to have chemistry through a few photos and a prompt," he tells Axios.
💘 Take three simple steps to getting out more:
1. Block the time. Reserve "two social days a week for the next month" 6-9pm, says Maria Avgitidis, CEO of executive matchmaking service Agape Match.
2. Leave room for spontaneity. Before COVID, getting unplanned, after-work drinks was common. Now it's less so.
- Pack shoes, a necklace, whatever you need to transition from day to night. When an invite comes up, say yes. Better yet: Initiate.
3. Volunteer. Showing up at a regular volunteer function twice a month could lead to a BBQ or birthday party invite — and a whole new social circle.