Best Dating Sites
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My best friend grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and she always knew it would be her home forever. As her mom said, “You can go to college somewhere else, but you have to come back here to get a job and be with your family.” My friend took that message to heart, but her little brother had other ideas.
At age 10, he declared that he wasn’t going to come back to Fort Lauderdale after college. Instead, he said he would live “wherever my girlfriend lives.” Needless to say his mother has since made it her life’s mission to make sure her son falls for a South Florida girl.
Of course, you can’t blame the kid for recognizing that love is what makes a city feel like home. Finding romance is at the top of many people’s to-do lists, but meeting attractive and interesting people in your hometown isn’t always that easy. If you’re looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend to anchor you in Fort Lauderdale, you can use the following dating resources to get something going.
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Fort Lauderdale Dating Sites
Online dating is much like Fort Lauderdale’s beaches. There are many to choose from, and pretty much all of them are crowded all year round. Also, like the beach, if you choose the wrong one or don’t come prepared, you could easily get burned by your experience. We don’t want that to happen to you, so we’ve picked out the most popular and effective dating sites around to help you dive into the local dating scene.
Best Singles Site
Since 1995, Match has successfully paired up countless couples in long-term relationships. Its personality-driven match tools help individuals find the right partner and build a relationship based on mutual compatibility. Match is so confident it can get you a date that it offers an I Met Someone Guarantee for all six-month subscriptions. If you haven’t found the one after six months, your next six months are free.
★★★★★
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 »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
39.7 Million* | Try Match FREE |
Best Site for Professionals
Known for its high-caliber membership, EliteSingles is a great dating site for lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and other successful singles in Fort Lauderdale. Over 80% of EliteSingles members have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, and over 90% say they’re looking for a serious relationship.
★★★★★
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 »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
44%*
56%*
|
2 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
Over 50 & Senior Sites
The median age in Fort Lauderdale is 42.7, which is significantly higher than the U.S. median age of 37.4. Many retirees are drawn to South Florida because of the warm climate, and the local dating scene is full of over-50 singles seeking a new beginning in the Sunshine State. OurTime helps these outgoing seniors get their bearings online and make new romantic connections in a jiffy.
★★★★★
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 »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| Mature Singles (50+)* |
48%*
52%*
|
8.9 Million* | Over 50? Try It FREE |
For Black Men & Women Only
According to the 2010 census, 31% of Fort Lauderdale residents are of African descent. Many Islanders come from the Caribbean to make a home in this tropical city, but singles don’t always find a warm welcome here. Fortunately, BlackPeopleMeet can help Haitians, Jamaicans, Bahamians, and other African-Americans meet one another online. The niche dating site has the largest online community of black and biracial singles in the US.
★★★★★
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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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| Black Singles* |
47%*
53%*
|
5.7 Million* | FREE Trial for New Users |
Hookup & Sex Site
Last of all, Adult Friend Finder is the best dating site if your main objective is to get laid. This popular platform encourages promiscuous singles to go after what they want and enjoy a stimulating love life. You must be 18 or older to join this adult community of sex seekers, and only paid members get access to all the goodies on the site.
★★★★★
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...”
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
65%*
35%*
|
25.5 Million* | 3 Months @ $19.95/Mo |
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Popular Dating Apps
Fort Lauderdale is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area, which has over 6.1 million people in it. That’s a mind-boggling and intimidating number for singles looking for “The One.” How do you even begin to sort through so many options? Well, you can start by downloading a dating app. After a few minutes of swiping, you’ll start to build mutual matches and engage in flirty chats with singles in South Florida.
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
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
13.5 Million* | Free Download |
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
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
43%*
57%*
|
290,000* | Free Download |
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
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
3.8 Million* | Free Download |
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Fort Lauderdale Singles Bars
Going online isn’t the only way to get a date. Fort Lauderdale may not hold a candle to Miami in terms of a wild nightlife, but the city still has plenty of downtown bars and breweries open well past midnight. These low-key spots can stimulate conversation and romance, and it’s a great way for singles to pick up a date. If you’ve got some time to kill on a Saturday night, you should check out one of the following popular bars in Fort Lauderdale.
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Blue Martini
Located in the Galleria, Blue Martini rolls out the blue carpet to get Fort Lauderdale singles in the mood to party. Its menu includes 42 handcrafted martinis as well as an extensive list of wines, beers, and spirits. You can also order tapas to share with someone at the bar. Of course, the dance floor is really what makes this bar stand out. When the DJ gets going, tons of people loosen up, start dancing, and forget their troubles. If you're looking for a night of entertainment, look no further.
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Bar Red Beard
Bar Red Beard has everything you need to have a great time. Chalkboard beer menu. Check. Juicy burgers. Check. Good company. Check. The bar offers a rotating taps list of over 50 beers chosen with love and care. The family-owned bar has been around for over a decade, and yet it continually surprises customers with fun events, inventive menu items, and a dynamic, jocular team. In case you were wondering, the name Bar Red Beard comes from the owner's son Mike and his impressive facial hair. You'll often see him behind the bar recommending brews and flaunting his long, thick beard.
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Elbo Room
The Elbo Room has long been a favorite among spring breakers coming back from the beach. The dive bar is centrally located and stays open from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. all week. The bar is cash-only, but the prices are surprisingly affordable (especially during happy hour). The Elbo Room frequently invites bands to its small stage, and it is famous for throwing a wild party late into the night. Singles couldn't ask for a more flirtatious setting to mix things up.
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Tap 42 Bar & Kitchen
As you can probably tell from its name, Tap 42 in Fort Lauderdale is all about craft beer. Its IPAs, ales, drafts, and lagers pack a punch, and the bar also stocks rare and commemorative beer bottles for true aficionados. Wednesday is ladies night, meaning all women enjoy half-priced drinks at the bar from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m. Tap 42 also serves half-priced veggie burgers on Mondays from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. And its bottomless brunches on Sundays and Saturdays are famously fun times.
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Royal Pig Pub & Kitchen
Royal Pig Pub & Kitchen is a beloved gastropub with vaulted ceilings and a spacious bar. The kitchen is known for its elevated bar bites and cuisine, including nachos topped with spicy duck or bacon mac and cheese sprinkled with Andouille bread crumbs. The drinks menu is equally tantalizing with many signature cocktails infused with refreshing and zesty fruit flavors. The Filthy Pig (a dirty martini served with a bacon-wrapped and bleu-cheese-stuffed olive) is one of the most popular drinks on the menu. From start to finish, spending an evening at the Royal Pig is a smart choice for foodies in Fort Lauderdale.
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Laser Wolf
Whether you're a hipster, an art enthusiast, or just an enthusiastic drinker, you'll love the cool vibes at Laser Wolf. The bar's motto is "Yes beer. No jerks." And it promises people a good time. The beer menu is a treasure trove of hard-to-find and little-known local brews that'll knock your socks off. The neighborhood bar is full of color, flavor, and fun, so you'll never run out of things to talk about here. Be sure to bring a good attitude to Laser Wolf, and leave enough room for hotdogs from the food truck outside.
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Fort Lauderdale Speed Dating
Fort Lauderdale’s heavy traffic can be a real inconvenience to singles in a hurry to get anywhere. It’s frustrating (not to mention time-consuming) to be stuck at a standstill and watch others speed by in the fast lane. Dating can sometimes feel like one big headache-inducing traffic jam, but speed dating events can get you moving in no time. These fun-fill evenings allow singles to meet dozens of promising date candidates and create a short list of viable candidates.
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Fort Lauderdale Singles Events
If you just show up at a bar or on a general dating site, it can take some time to establish common interests with someone. But, if you show up at a singles meetup, you don’t have to look far to find compatibility. Singles events often center around a fun activity (hiking, boating, bar hopping, book reading, etc.), so everyone involved has at least one thing in common. It’s easy to break the ice in this setting and form deeper relationships based on something you enjoy.
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Fort Lauderdale Singles Clubs
When you go clubbing, you never know what will happen. That’s what makes it an adventure. You could end up making new friends, discovering a new favorite cocktail, or seducing a hot new love interest. Romance is always in the air here. Under the flashing lights and thumping music, crowds of singles bust a move and hope the night leads them to the right dance partner. Whether you enjoy salsa dancing or beatboxing, you can look on Yelp to find a local nightclub that is just right for you.
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Fort Lauderdale Chat Rooms
Some people clam up during a first meeting and have difficulty stringing words together when a potential love interest is looking them in the eye. These singles often perform better in low-pressure dating environments, like chat rooms, where they can think through their responses. You don’t have to get dolled up to join a chat room. You don’t even have to leave the house. Singles chat rooms are open 24/7 and allow daters to relax and be themselves while meeting new people.
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Fort Lauderdale Personals
Dating personals are like the fraternal twin of dating sites. They look similar, but have a few key differences. First of all, dating personals publish ads, not profiles, and that means singles have to get to the point a lot more quickly. There’s no room for lengthy diatribes, psychological evaluations, or an entire life story. You state your age and intentions, and that’s about it. Dating personals also don’t have match algorithms or mutual matching systems. Singles have to do their own searching if they want to find a date here.
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Get in the Team Spirit at a Sporting Event
Relationships are built on common interests, so a group activity can be a solid foundation for daters in South Florida. It doesn’t matter if you’re rooting on a baseball team or a soccer team, as long as you get into the team spirit. Sporting events can give singles a chance to be part of something bigger than themselves, and it’s never too late to become a fan.
Or, if you really want to get into the action, you can always join an adult sports league. You can make a lot of friends during softball or kickball practices, and you may find the playing field is also a great dating field — especially if it’s a co-ed team.
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Volunteer in Broward County
It’s easy to get caught up in your head when you’re in the dating scene. You naturally spend a lot of time focused inward on your own wants and needs, and that’s not always a healthy or attractive place to be. Volunteering can help you get out of your head and into the community.
Singles can find fulfillment and friendship by working with Hands On Broward.
By working at a nonprofit, you can help a cause that matters to you and meet people who share similar goals and values. HandsOn Broward unites a team of kindhearted do-gooders in Fort Lauderdale. Thousands of volunteers get involved in its projects.
This organization partners with over 200 local nonprofits dedicated to making the city a better place to live. Its calendar is packed with opportunities to feed the hungry, tutor at-risk youth, clean up public parks, and give back in other ways.
Whether you’re taking care of dogs at a shelter or planting trees in a neighborhood, volunteering can be a helpful reminder of what’s important, and it’s just good karma for anyone in the dating scene.
Party On & Find a Date in Spring Break Central
My friend loves living in Fort Lauderdale because it’s right by the water, it has great seafood, and it’s never very cold. But her hometown wouldn’t be complete if she didn’t have people she loves to come home to every day. She’s fortunate to be surrounded by family (just not her little brother) and to have someone in her life who makes her feel special.
If you’re hoping to make a meaningful connection of your own in Fort Lauderdale, you have a lot of options around town. You can head to the bar, create a dating profile, join a social group, or find a volunteer project. Wherever you go, just be sure to bring a positive attitude and talk to as many people as you can to give yourself the best chance of landing a compatible date. Good luck!
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