Eugene Or

Eugene, OR

9 Ways to Meet Singles in Eugene, OR (Dating Guide)

Amber Brooks

Written by: Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks is the Editor-in-Chief at DatingAdvice.com. When she was growing up, her family teased her for being "boy crazy," but she preferred to think of herself as a budding dating and relationship expert. As an English major at the University of Florida, Amber honed her communication skills to write clearly, knowledgeably, and passionately about a variety of subjects. Now with over 1,800 lifestyle articles to her name, Amber brings her tireless wit and relatable experiences to DatingAdvice.com.

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Edited by: Lillian Castro

Lillian Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of journalism experience to ensure DatingAdvice articles have been edited for overall clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, The Gwinnett Daily News, and The Gainesville Sun covering lifestyle topics.

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Reddit’s Eugene, Oregon, page

can be a positive, helpful, and amusing corner of the internet, but sometimes a particular topic strikes a bitter note. One user created a “Dating in Eugene?” post to ask locals where to go to meet single men and women in the small town. The single complained that it was hard to talk to people in town.

“No one really wants to talk to anyone else,” answered another user in the thread. “We’ll all happily make a little small talk, but, after that, we all go back to our own little worlds of five to six friends.”

That’s a bit harsh, and it’s not even the most negative post in the thread. Most of the replies were more interested in blaming the city than offering solutions to singles. Eugene is the third most-populous city in Oregon, and we don’t buy that absolutely no local singles are willing to meet someone new.

If you want to up your odds of finding a date, you’ll have to go outside your normal routine and head to date-friendly places where people will welcome your advances. Our dating experts have come up with a list of nine ways to get out there and meet Eugene’s singles.

1

Eugene Dating Sites

During the California Gold Rush, adventurous people would go west to seek their fortune and start a new life. Nowadays, singles can just go online and find a new frontier at their fingertips. About one-third of never-married singles have tried online dating, and it can be a fantastic way to make connections. Try the following top-rated dating sites to embark on a dating adventure.

Best Singles Site

Since 1995, Match has distinguished itself as one of the most trustworthy and effective dating platforms around. The site uses an intelligent matchmaking system to recommend compatible dates who live in the same area. Members will see a compatibility rating to help them identify good matches.

★★★★★
4.9/5.0

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...” Full Review »

Browse Free: View Photos Now

Best Site for Professionals

Elite Singles is a top-tier dating site for well-educated and successful singles who know exactly what they want. Over 90% of members say they’re looking for a committed relationship on this sophisticated platform. These selective singles can use the search filters to find the special someone who meets their standards.

★★★★★
4.8/5.0

Relationships: Serious Relationships

Match System: Search, Receive Partner Suggestions

Our Experts Say: “EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review »

Browse Free: View Photos Now

Over 50 & Senior Sites

Seniors can have difficulty meeting singles in their age range, and that’s why niche dating sites have begun catering to the older generation. OurTime has grown a senior-friendly dating network designed to facilitate relationships between singles who are over 50 years old. You can create a profile for free and browse profiles of dates with life experience and traditional values.

★★★★★
4.6/5.0

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...” Full Review »

Browse Free: View Photos Now

For Black Men & Women Only

Less than 2% of Eugene’s population identifies as African-American, so local black singles may have to journey outside the city limits to diversify their date prospects. BlackPeopleMeet can help locals get in touch with a national network of black and biracial singles. The dating site has over 2 million members in the U.S. and Canada.

★★★★
4.1/5.0

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...” Full Review »

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Hookup & Sex Site

Not everyone is looking for a happily-ever-after wedding or even a long-term relationship. Some singles just want to have some fun on the weekends. Adult Friend Finder is a great wingman for sexually active singles in the casual dating scene. The mobile-friendly site uses live chat rooms, private messaging, and video broadcasts to create flirtatious connections between singles and swingers online.

★★★★
4.2/5.0

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...”

Browse Free: View Photos Now

2

Popular Dating Apps

Many top dating sites have converted into dating apps in recent years. These brands aim to offer greater convenience in a smartphone-dominated world. Today’s singles prefer having their dating networks stored on their smartphones because it’s just easier to stay in touch with an online crush that way. Most singles know about the big dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, but we think it’s worth checking out some tried-and-true dating platforms that have adapted to the mobile scene.

Match.com

★★★★★
4.9/5.0
Match.com

Available on: iOS, Android

  • Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
  • Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
  • 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.
  • Browse Free: View Profiles Now

EliteSingles

★★★★★
4.9/5.0
EliteSingles

Available on: iOS, Android

  • Relationships: Deep Relationships
  • Match System: Search by education, lifestyle habits, age
  • About the App: Commitment-minded, professional daters will feel at home with EliteSingles, which can be downloaded for free in the App Store or Google Play. Not only is everyone looking for a long-term partner, but 80% of members hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree. EliteSingles sees 210,000 visitors and 2,500 users finding love every month, so it's one of the fastest growing and most reputable apps.
  • Browse Free: View Profiles Now

Zoosk

★★★★★
4.8/5.0
Zoosk

Available on: iOS, Android

  • Relationships: Casual Dates, Relationships
  • Match System: Search for and receive matches
  • About the App: Zoosk is the number one app for finding dates, and if you sync up your Google+ or Facebook account, you can have a profile in seconds. The app has 38 million members and will deliver matches to your inbox on a daily basis based on your behavior such as who you search for, like or don't like, and message. The Carousel is another section for matching (tap the heart if it's a yes and the X if it's a no).
  • Browse Free: View Profiles Now
3

Eugene Singles Bars

Meeting people online isn’t the only option for Eugene singles. You can also actually go out in public and talk to people in person. It may be old-school, but it’s effective. The local bar scene is buzzing with activity on the weekends, and many singles show up dressed to impress. You can buy someone a drink to break the ice, or you can challenge a friend group to a game of pool. We’ve ranked our favorite bars in Eugene to help you get into the action.

1

The Cooler Restaurant & Bar

★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
20 Centennial Loop • Eugene, OR 97401 (541) 484-4355 Visit Website
The Cooler Restaurant & Bar

The Cooler Restaurant & Bar is a sports bar dedicated to the Oregon Ducks. Its big-screen TVs show all the big games, and many fans come together to root on their favorite teams. The bar offers free popcorn to every table, and that usually gets people thirsty for a bottle of ice-cold beer. The Cooler's kitchen serves classic bar food with fresh-made fries or potato chips on the side. You can stop by the Cooler on game day to enjoy the rowdy atmosphere and meet people who share a common love of sports.

2

Sam Bond's Garage

★★★★★ 4.8/5.0
407 Blair Blvd • Eugene, OR 97402 (541) 431-6603 Visit Website
Sam Bond's Garage

If you like live music, Sam Bond's Garage has got you covered. This neighborhood bar frequently livens things up by featuring some of the best entertainers in the region. The jam sessions typically start at 9 p.m. or 9:30 p.m., and they run until closing time at 2 in the morning. The bar also has Bingo Nights on Mondays and bluegrass performances on Tuesdays. Most of its events are free to attend, but check the calendar to make sure you don't have to buy tickets or pay a cover. Since 1995, Sam Bond's Garage has featured some stellar bands, and its laid-back concerts can get singles and couples dancing late into the night.

3

Blairally Vintage Arcade

★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
245 Blair Blvd • Eugene, OR 97402 (541) 683-1721 Visit Website
Blairally Vintage Arcade

Blairally Vintage Arcade offers a nostalgic and engaging setting where singles can play pinball, video games, and classic arcade games with a craft beer in hand. All arcade games are free to play, so you don't have to bring any quarters or tokens to get into the game. The bar is family-friendly during the day, but after 9 p.m. it caters solely to the over-21 crowd. The bar sometimes ups the nostalgia factor by hosting '80s or '90s dance parties. As one reviewer said on Facebook, "Great place to bring out your inner child while still enjoying adult beverages!"

4

Luckey's Club

★★★★★ 4.6/5.0
933 Olive St • Eugene, OR 97401 (541) 687-4643 Visit Website
Luckey's Club

Luckey's Club has been around since 1911 and is one of the oldest bars in Oregon, but there's always something new going on here. The bar is open from noon until 2:30 a.m. six days a week (it closes early at midnight on Sundays), and it's a dynamic place to have a drink, play pool, and strike up a conversation. A lot of regulars come here because the prices are low, the people are friendly, and the music is rocking. Luckey's Club often features local bands, and its Wednesday groove sessions have become a staple in the downtown scene.

5

The Barn Light

★★★★★ 4.6/5.0
924 Willamette St • Eugene, OR 97401 (541) 726-0313 Visit Website
The Barn Light

The Barn Light is a downtown coffeehouse and bar known for its hip atmosphere. Single professionals often bring their laptops here during the day and enjoy java, craft beer, or a sandwich while getting some work done. The bar turns up the heat during the evenings with its specialty cocktails and world-famous karaoke. The Barn Light sees itself as a sophisticated alternative to dive bars, sports taverns, and nightclubs. Since it opened in 2012, the Barn Light has become one of the most popular hangouts for graduate students and other professionals.

6

Cornucopia Bar & Burgers

★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
207 E 5th Ave • Eugene, OR 97401 (541) 485-2676 Visit Website
Cornucopia Bar & Burgers

Any bar with "burger" in the name is naturally going to attract a hungry crowd of singles. Cornucopia Bar & Burgers has perfected the art of the burger. The menu features award-winning burgers piled with cheese, onions, bacon, and other fresh ingredients. All its burgers can also be made with organic marinated tempeh and black beans, and many vegetarians say the trademarked Vurger is every bit as tasty as the real thing. This downtown bar serves undeniably delicious meals, but it also pours some of the most unique cocktails in town. Cornucopia has a late-night happy hour from 10 p.m. to midnight, so you can indulge yourself without breaking the bank.

4

Eugene Speed Dating

Eugene Speed Dating

Dating one person at a time can be time-consuming. It’s like taking the Lane Transit District bus and stopping every few streets for people to get on and off. You may start to wonder if you’ll ever reach your destination at such a slow pace. Speed dating is like taking a jet and flying over the traffic and crowds. It’s just a faster way to reach your goal of finding someone you like in the dating scene. Instead of focusing on just one person at a time, speed daters meet dozens of date prospects at once and can decide in person if they have chemistry.

5

Eugene Singles Events

Eugene Singles Events

Singles events take the pressure off singles by giving them a casual environment where they can mingle, make friends, and see what develops. Whether you’re bowling, hiking, or bar hopping, you can meet singles who share your interests and hobbies. Meetup publishes many local events that welcome newcomers and create new friendships. Take a look at the calendar to find out about upcoming events geared toward singles in Eugene.

6

Eugene Singles Clubs

Eugene Singles Clubs

The exciting atmosphere of a nightclub liberates singles looking to have a little fun. You can dance away your cares under the strobe lights of the club, and your smooth moves may even attract an attractive dance partner. Singles frequent nightclubs in late-night hours because it’s a romantic setting to pair off and find romance. You don’t have to say a word to make a heartfelt connection here. Just put on your best dancing shoes and let your hips do all the talking.

7

Eugene Chat Rooms

Feel talkative? Then log into a chat room. These open forums welcome singles of all ages, races, and orientations, and you can find someone hanging out there pretty much any time of day. You don’t need to write a novel about yourself to join a chat room — just come up with a unique username and jump into the conversation. It’s free to join most chat rooms, and you can linger for as long as you like.

8

Eugene Personals

Dating personals sites are the high-tech version of posting a personal ad in the newspaper. Singles quickly state who they are and what they’re looking for in their profiles, and there are no mutual matching restrictions to stop them from messaging anyone they like. Casual daters particularly enjoy the straightforward setup of a personals site because they don’t have to waste time on making small talk or editing their profiles. If you’re in a hurry to meet up in real life, then create a free account on the following sites.

9

Go to a Park & Pick Up a Hobby

Eugene has dozens of public parks and nature trails where singles can go to meet people. From Acorn Park to Willow Corner, these areas offer a lot of green space to enjoy a picnic, play fetch with your dog, or generally get some exercise. It’s a casual place to scout for local dates on your own or with a group of friends.

Photo of Eugene's baseball league

Eugene’s adults sports leagues include men’s, women’s, and mixed teams.

Singles can take part in many recreational activities at these parks. The city organizes adult sports, health and fitness programs, and other classes and activities to get people out of their shells.

Eugene’s local sports leagues tend to be the most active in the warm months from April to August. The seasons range in length from five weeks to 10 weeks, and they’re open to people of all skill levels. You can play softball in the summer and soccer in the fall.

You can get involved in volunteer work at the parks to expand your horizons as well. No prior experience is required to join these singles-friendly activities in the park.

Find Your Happy Ending in Eugene (aka "The Emerald Shire")

The “Dating in Eugene?” Reddit thread paints a pretty bleak picture of the local dating scene, but not everyone was down in the dumps and playing the blame game. Some users actually tried to give some good advice.

“Pro tip: Go outside,” Roosterblocker wrote. “Frequent places and activities that you like, take the initiative, and start conversations with people that you find interesting.”

The strategy for meeting people is pretty basic, and the first step is to get off Reddit. You can land a date in Eugene, Oregon, if you enter conversations with a positive attitude and don’t let a few bad experiences turn you off from the whole community. Eugene is a pretty large and quirky city, so you can always make a fresh start at a new bar, club, or event. Good luck!

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