One of my best friends moved to Miami for a consulting gig and soon found herself swallowed up by a trendy, beachy, party culture. From her apartment on Biscayne Boulevard, she constantly saw people running marathons, going on shopping sprees, attending outdoor concerts, and enjoying the sunshine, but she didn’t have anyone to invite her on those adventures and help her get in step with the city.
That is, until she joined a local book club and made friends who shared her interests. Now she goes out all the time with her newfound friends, and she even met her current girlfriend through this bookish clique.
It took my friend several months to gain her footing in such a big city, but now she loves living in the 305 and couldn’t imagine being in a city without 24-hour food delivery and world-class beaches. If you’re looking for your Miami compadres, read on to learn about the top nine ways to meet single people in South Florida.
Miami Dating Sites
The best way to meet singles in Miami also happens to be the best way to meet singles anywhere — join a dating site! Millions of singles browse the web every day in search of a new friend, a hot date, or a long-term relationship. Of course, you’re not going to be successful on just any old dating website. We’ve highlighted our five favorite dating sites for South Floridians to help you have a good experience online.
Best Singles Site
Match has been at the top of the dating-site food chain since it launched in 1995. You’ve probably seen its commercials, and you may even know at some couples who met on this site or app. Match has been around so long because its values-based matching system works. While other dating companies constantly change branding, features, and message, Match has been steady as a rock and has maintained a solid reputation for building quality relationships.
- 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 »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Over 50 & Senior Sites
Florida definitely has its fair share of retirees looking to while away their golden years in the sun. These singles can often feel overlooked on dating sites and apps, so niche communities like OurTime formed to give senior singles a place they can call their own. OurTime’s simple layout and straightforward tools help mature single people connect even if they aren’t all that tech-savvy.
- 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
When you think of cultural diversity in Miami, you probably think of its abundant Spanish-speaking population, but it actually has a significant Afro-Caribbean population as well. In the 2020 census, 16% of Miami’s population claimed to be of African descent. Whether you’re from Haiti or the Bahamas, you can meet Miami singles from similar backgrounds by joining a Black dating site like BlackPeopleMeet. This African-American community is one of the largest of its kind.
- 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
Miami is a fast-paced city (I’m always white-knuckled driving down those highways), so it’s no wonder that it has so many fast-paced daters eager to skip the small talk and head straight to bed. Singles looking for a no-strings-attached hookup would do well to skip the general dating sites and sign up for a hookup site. Adult Friend Finder promises a raunchy adventure for singles (and couples) who are willing to explore their desires with local people they meet online.
- 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
Whether they’re taking public transit or braving the city streets, Miami singles are almost always on the move, so it makes sense that they’d need a dating app to keep up with them. The ability to connect with dates using a smartphone is invaluable to active daters in the Sixth Borough. Because that means they can swipe for potential matches while working on their suntan! Check out our top-reviewed dating apps for singles on the go in Miami.
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.
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
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.
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
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.
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
Miami Singles Bars
Miami’s downtown scene is known for its salsa clubs, rooftop bars, retro speakeasies, and high-end lounge. It seems like every time I visit my friend, there’s a new club opening or some new trendy drink to try. We’ve gone on Harry-Potter-themed bar crawls, and we’ve stood in a crowd of people hoping to get the attention of an up-and-coming mixologist. Wherever the night leads, it’s always a fun and memorable journey. Here are some of our favorite bars where singles can mix and mingle over good drinks and delicious food.
Ball & Chain
In the heart of Little Havana is an old-fashioned bar with a Cuban flair. The Ball & Chain started out as a night club in the 1930s, and today it's an iconic bar known for its authentic Cuban food and drinks. And salsa dancing! The Ball & Chain often hosts live music that gets everyone moving — even on a weekday. If you really want to spice up your love life, check out its annual music festival in the fall. The Ball & Chain knows how to throw a fiesta that welcomes the young, the old, and everyone in between.
The Anderson
The Anderson prides itself on being a neighborhood bar in a big city. Since 2016, the retro bar has made a name for itself by serving high-quality cocktails and delicious grub. So far, it has served up over 9,400 drinks and made over 3,000 chicken sandwiches. At the Anderson, it's always Throwback Thursday. Movie posters from 1980s blockbusters line the walls, and old-school hits from the Spice Girls and Duran Duran often play on the speakers. The Thrillist called this bar "as close to the '90s as you're getting without having to give up your cell phone."
Sugar
Sugar is a pretty sweet place to hang out in Brickell, Miami's financial center. For one thing, it's a rooftop bar on the 40th floor of a hotel. And for another thing, it's got some seriously addictive drinks on its menu. The bar is known for its sugary concoctions, which have been inspired by the owners' Chinese roots. The chic cocktail bar has a tropical theme and is frequently packed with patrons. You can enjoy a panoramic view of Miami while sipping on a handcrafted cocktail in a lush rooftop garden, and what could be better than that?
Sweet Liberty
The Sweet Liberty Drink and Supply Company (or Sweet Liberty, for short) is a favorite haunt for singles in South Beach. The sophisticated bar serves world-class cocktails and American dishes with a modern twist. Established in 2015, this is one of Miami's newest and hottest bars. It stays open seven days a week (including for Sunday brunch) and serves food from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. every day. Whether you're craving oysters, tater tots, or skirt steak, you are free to put in a late-night order at Sweet Liberty.
Jezebel
The Jezebel Bar & Kitchen is a beautiful and cozy place to chill out with friends or on your own. The open and inviting atmosphere encourages singles to mingle at the bar or on the leather couches. You won't find soda guns at this upscale bar. The servers take pride in the quality of every drink and every bite served here. As the website says, "Each detail of the bar is carefully curated to create an environment where guests can feel comfortable to sip and savor."
The Broken Shaker
The Broken Shaker opened its doors in 2012, and it has delighted bar hoppers ever since with original cocktails and a poolside patio where people regularly play board games and Jenga. This is a casual spot for singles who don't want to rub elbows in a posh lounge or snooty speakeasy. Patrons can take a load off their minds at the Shaker and relax at this low-key spot. You can make fast friends by ordering a fruity shareable punch and inviting people to help you drink it down.
The Matador Bar
The Matador Bar stands out for its bold decor and hard-hitting drinks. Paintings of Spanish matadors cover the walls to pay tribute to the bullfighting spirit this bar embodies. The floor-to-ceiling windows opposite the wall of art gives patrons an unobstructed view of Miami Beach. Everything in this bar is carefully designed to please Miami locals who have a deep appreciation for Spanish culture. Stop by this bar if you're ever in the mood for a good drink with Latin flavor.
Miami Speed Dating
Miami residents often work long hours, and their bumper-to-bumper commutes can be another huge time suck, so it’s no wonder many singles are too exhausted at the end of a long day to search dating sites, dating apps, and bars for a date. These singles need a time-saving solution to the dating scene, and speed dating is that solution. Speed dating offers a casual environment where participants meet dozens of date prospects within one evening. It’s a fun and efficient way to meet new people, and Speed Miami Dating is among the top speed date event organizers in town.
Miami Singles Events
Singles events are pretty much big parties where everyone in attendance is unattached and super flirtatious. Sound like fun? Then you should look up the nearest singles event in Miami using Eventbrite. This online events calendar will let you know about any upcoming bashes you can’t miss out on. While some companies host large singles gatherings for holidays — Valentine’s Day plans, anyone? — some also host more intimate soirees in bars and restaurants throughout the city.
Miami Singles Clubs
Miami is known for its raging nightlife and vacation vibes. There are so many songs about Miami’s party scene from “Move to Miami” by Enrique Iglesias to “I’m in Miami Bitch” by LMFAO. You can bet when these songs play at the club, everyone goes wild. If you’re looking for a date and you love to dance, you should absolutely look for a nightclub with a crowded dance floor. The Thrillist ranked its favorite clubs based on popularity and general awesomeness. One of them has a bowling alley AND a skating rink attached!
Miami Chat Rooms
Chat rooms were huge in the early days of the internet, and they remain surprisingly popular today. It’s like the kiddie pool of socializing. You don’t have to go very far outside your comfort zone, and it doesn’t cost very much time, effort, or money to join. You can sign up, have a look around, and see if there’s anyone worth messaging. If not, you can just click exit. Chat rooms provide a low-risk and stress-free environment where singles can practice starting conversations and building relationships on the web.
Miami Personals
Next on our list, we have Miami dating personals. No, that doesn’t mean you have to place an ad with the “Miami Herald.” You can go online to post a profile and seek a potential partner. Many hassle-free personals websites allow men and women of all ages and orientations to find one another within a few clicks. You don’t have to deal with complicated matching systems or limited communication filters. Personals websites put you in front of local date prospects, and let you take it from there.
Find a Meetup That Sparks Your Interests
Though my friend has made some acquaintances at work, 100% of her closest Miami friends met her because of Meetup. She not only joined the book club; she joined a Spanish-speaking meetup, a lesbian singles meetup, a business networking meetup, and I’d guess at least 12 other groups she didn’t even tell me about. She was determined to make friends in Miami. And it worked.
Meetup is an undeniably popular social tool for anyone who’s new in town and looking for friends. But it’s also a great dating tool for singles who want to meet date prospects. Miami’s Meetups can satisfy any hobby or interest.
You can search for Meetup groups by category, distance, or keyword.
Whether you’re into surfing, volunteering, painting, knitting, or kickboxing, there’s a Meetup for that. Join one that speaks to your interest to meet people who share similar values and passions.
You can even target Meetups that cater to local singles if you want to really hone in on the date-worthy folks out there. Singles groups can be very popular and efficient ways to meet people. The Broward Young Single Professionals group, for instance, has over 1,400 members and hosts events regularly.
Miami Can Be a Dating Paradise If You Know Where to Look
My friend didn’t start out loving Miami, but she found her place by making an effort to expand her social circle and connect with as many people as possible. Now she’s head over heels in love and surrounded by good friends who go bar hopping downtown and plan trips to the Keys together. In just a few years, she has made a home in the Sunshine State.
Should you find yourself with few friends and fewer date prospects in Miami, don’t despair, because the city is full of opportunities to get involved and meet great people. Y
ou can make headway in the local dating scene by going a little outside your comfort zone in certain online and in social settings. Hopefully, our list of ways to meet singles in Miami has given you a few ideas so you can get off to a running start. Buena suerte!
