Pretty much everyone has heard of the ill-fated romance of Romeo and Juliet of Verona, but not as many people know the story behind Romeo and Juliet of Illinois. These two neighboring cities made a delightful pairing in the 1830s, but, sad to say, their connection wasn’t meant to last.
In 1845, Juliet’s city planners decided to rename the city in honor of Louis Joliet, the French-Canadian explorer who went up the Mississippi River and mapped out the Illinois riverfront in the 1600s. Thus Juliet became known as Joliet. The city of Romeo couldn’t go on without its other half, so its officials voted to change the name to Romeoville.
No matter what you call it, Joliet has long been home to romantic, adventurous, and creative people (including Melissa McCarthy), and that’s reflected in its fast-paced dating scene. If you’re hoping to find the Romeoville to your Joliet, we recommend using the following nine ways to meet new people.
Joliet Dating Sites
A popular dating site can put a city full of singles within your reach and give you the chance to make a great connection with someone special. Joliet singles can use the online dating scene to build close friendships and relationships with people who share similar interests, backgrounds, and lifestyles. We’ve picked out a few of our favorite dating sites to help you get started on the right foot.
Best Singles Site
Match has an unrivaled position in the online dating scene as one of the longest running dating sites in existence. Since 1995, this global dating platform has established itself as a premier solution for serious daters. Its personality-driven match algorithm meets the standards of singles looking for compatible partners.
- Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
- Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
- Our Experts Say: Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review. Our Review »
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Over 50 & Senior Sites
OurTime helps senior singles get back in the dating game and find a second chance at love. It can be difficult for singles over 50 to attract attention on general dating sites, but, on OurTime, everyone shares similar life experiences, maturity levels, and relationship goals. It’s free to sign up to OurTime and send flirts to anyone you like.
- Relationships: Dates and Relationships
- Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more
- Our Experts Say: OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout. Our Review »
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For Black Men & Women Only
About 17% of Joliet’s population identifies as African-American, which is pretty decent diversity for a Midwestern town. Still, sometimes it’s easier to find singles of color by visiting a black dating site like BlackPeopleMeet. Powered by People Media, this niche platform offers a national network of black and biracial singles looking for friendship, romance, and relationships.
- Relationships: Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
- Match System: Search by location, age, more
- Our Experts Say: BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month. Our Review »
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Hookup & Sex Site
Adult Friend Finder (AFF) is a hookup site where sexy singles and swingers mingle freely. The site’s chat rooms and video broadcasts create a stimulating environment for adults over 18. The AFF network boasts having more than 95 million profiles posted by sexually active individuals worldwide.
- Relationships: Hookups Only
- Match System: Search by location, interest, more
- Our Experts Say: Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about finding hookups and casual encounters. No adult site has a larger or more active user base of those seeking discreet fun. Our Review »
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Popular Dating Apps
We live in an age of great convenience and connectivity, but there are limits to what technology can do. Dating apps can introduce you to nearby singles, but they can’t deliver a date to your door. You have to do the chatting and wooing necessary to land that date. Dating apps can help singles navigate the dating scene from their smartphones, and that increases the odds of making a terrific match.
Match.com
- Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
- Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
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About the App:
Available via the App Store and Google Play, Match is a fantastic app for dates and relationships. With a user base of 30 million singles, Match is where you’ll have a high chance of success. It’s free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
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eharmony
- Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
- Match System: Get daily match suggestions
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About the App:
Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It’s absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
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OurTime.com
- Relationships: Dating and Relationships
- Match System: Search by age as well as zip, gender, more
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About the App:
Made just for single seniors, OurTime is one of the most well-known niche dating apps. It’s a fun and straightforward app with simple swiping features. Once two people swipe right on each other, they can communicate. For more match options, visit the ConnectMe and I’m Interested pages.
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Joliet Singles Bars
Online dating may be all the rage these days, but sometimes it can’t replace the magic of a spontaneous encounter at the bar. Joliet has a decent selection of bars in its downtown area, and tons of singles come out looking for romance on Friday and Saturday nights. The casual and flirtatious atmosphere of a bar can help active daters feel more at ease as they make conversation and look for viable date prospects in Joliet.
Double "J" Sports Bar Inc
![Double "J" Sports Bar Inc](https://www.datingadvice.com/images/uploads/2019/05/doublejj-1.jpg?width=150 "Double "J" Sports Bar Inc")
Any bar with video games and slot machines always draws a young and competitive crowd. The Double "J" Sports Bar Inc is jam-packed with entertainment, and its friendly service is positively legendary. A lot of people come here for dinner, drinks, or a quick game of darts. The bar even hosts live music in its outdoor beer garden patio. If you're looking for a casual hangout, the Double J certainly fits the bill.
Chicago St. Pub
The Chicago St. Pub prides itself in being the city's premier live music destination and Irish pub. Its entertainment calendar is full of talent, and its lively concerts run into the wee hours of the night. More than 3,550 Patch readers voted Chicago St. Pub as their favorite place to grab a drink with friends, dates, or family. The menu includes soups, salads, burgers, breads, and classic Irish dishes. You can split a plate of steak fries, corn dogs, or tater tots with someone special at the Chicago St. Pub.
On The Rocks Joliet
On The Rocks Joliet revolves around spirits and gaming. The sleek bar features dozens of types of liquor, and last call isn't until about 1 a.m. Some may call On The Rocks a dive bar, but it's so much more than that. You can enjoy a craft cocktail while trying your luck on the slots, or you can show up on bingo nights, trivia nights, or holiday parties. On The Rocks also brings in DJs and bands on the weekends to pump everyone up.
Juliet's Tavern
Juliet's Tavern is known for its Italian comfort food and fantastic drink selection. The restaurant features a spacious bar with open seating. You can order a plate of spaghetti for dinner and chat up people at this casual spot. The cheesy pizzas keep people coming back for more, and the family-friendly atmosphere makes everyone feel at home. If you're tired of seedy bars and clubs, Juliet's Tavern will be a welcome change of pace.
Jameson's Pub
Jameson's Pub is a traditional, tried-and-true, what-you-see-is-what-your-get sports bar. From the moment you walk inside, you're surrounded by 30 high-def television screens playing the biggest games on ESPN. Some regulars have compared Jameson's to the fictional bar in "Cheers" because everyone is friendly with one another, and it's not unusual to see strangers laughing over a round of drinks or a plate of nachos. As the Jameson's Pub owners say, "Come for the food, stay for the fun!"
Joliet Speed Dating
Want to accelerate the dating process? Then try speed dating. These fun events bring dozens of singles together and set them up on mini-dates so they can establish chemistry and find common ground. It’s an easy and unique way to meet new people. Speed dating events don’t come around all the time, so it’s important to jump on them when you see them on the calendar.
Joliet Singles Events
Although singles events may vary in theme, size, and activity, they all create a friendly space for meeting new people. Singles can enjoy hiking on natural trails or playing cards at a coffee shop while getting to know dateworthy folks in the area. It’s great for daters who like to be friends first and create a solid foundation for a relationship. You can become a regular at a local singles Meetup to expand your social horizons in Joliet.
Joliet Singles Clubs
You never know what will happen when you walk into a nightclub and join the throng on the dance floor. Maybe a cutie will catch your eye and dance by your side all night long. Maybe you’ll find a quiet corner to engage in a conversation. Maybe the romance will continue even after the music has stopped playing. Many singles show up dressed to impress and hunt for dates in the dimly lit club. Check out the following top-rated clubs to bring some excitement to your love life.
Joliet Chat Rooms
Chat rooms have been around since the early days of the internet, and they’re still popular today because many people just love to talk. They can express themselves freely in a chat room, safe in the knowledge that it’s an anonymous space. These come-as-you-are forums have fostered everything from polite small talk to philosophical discussions. The chat reflects the mood and whimsy of the participants so you can make it as flirty or as serious as you want.
Joliet Personals
The main difference between dating personals sites and traditional dating sites is that personals sites get straight down to business. You don’t have to mess around with coy messages or lengthy profiles. You can just straight-up ask someone out and make a love connection. Personals sites appeal to sexually active singles who are experienced enough to know what they want and have no qualms about going after it.
Join a Sports Team
You don’t have to be athletic to have fun and get active on Joliet’s adult-friendly playing fields. The city’s official sports leagues appeal to people of all experience and skill levels.
Locals who visit the Inwood Athletic Club more than 100 times in six months become part of the prestigious 100 Club.
Whether you’re interested in kickball, softball, or soccer, you can take part in practices and competitions throughout the spring and summer. It’s a great way to build team spirit and get to know sports enthusiasts in the area.
The Inwood Athletic Club hosts over 50 fitness programs and activities to engage the body and mind. These social opportunities run all year round.
“I love the classes they offer and the trainers are all so helpful and great at their jobs,” said Nicole on Facebook.
You can get active in the dating scene by getting active in everyday life, and Joliet is full of opportunities to stretch your limits and strengthen your social skills.
Discover a Star-Crossed Romance in J-Town
Joliet may no longer share a name with a Shakespearean heroine, but that doesn’t diminish its romantic possibilities. Locals can still find a whirlwind love story in the humble city streets of Illinois.
We’ve listed several opportunity-rich dating resources to help Joliet singles find their way to love, and we recommend taking advantage of as many as you can. The more effort you put into it, the more benefits you’ll get out of it. You can join a dating site, attend singles events, and hang out at bars to mingle in a diverse and interesting crowd.
Though things didn’t work out for Romeo and Juliet, that’s no reason to give up on romance entirely. You can overcome adversity and create your own happy ending if you keep a clear head as you follow your heart. Good luck!
