Young professionals fed up with swiping and ghosting are turning to IRL meet-ups for a more organic experience. People are tired of swiping. The Malt House, a Thompson Street pub frequented by New York University students and young professionals, was abuzz with laughter, high hopes and a little bit of nervous energy.
Jacobs has been trying to meet people in person, but with little success. Last year she asked two men on the street for their numbers, but neither panned out.
She heard about Amiccio speed dating on Reddit while searching for alternatives to dating apps in New York City. Repeat customers are common, according to Kevin, who estimates that roughly half of male daters and a third of female daters come to more than one event.
Organizers later notify them of any matches. The group organizes speed dating, singles bars, professional networking events and social dance classes. Some participants gave speed dating a swing because they find meeting people organically to be tough β especially in New York.
Deirdre Fay, a health and safety professional, moved to the East Village from Boston in November and decided to try speed dating after finding New York to be too fast-paced and anonymous to meet people out and about.
