Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
When Joanne B.’s sister moved to Milwaukee, she knew absolutely no one. She doesn’t drink and is “painfully shy,” as Joanne puts it, so bars weren’t really an option for her. Joanne, being the good sister that she is, posted a thread on Yelp asking for ideas on meeting people and received numerous responses within a day.
Joanne said her sister’s interests include theater, reading, and art, so Milwaukeeans suggested she join a community theater group or attend some of the events the local art galleries and museums put on. One user, in particular, was Kris P., a fellow theater buff who said she’d love to find someone to go to performances with.
If you’re in the same position as Joanne’s sister, you don’t just have to post on Yelp to figure out how to meet people in Brew City. You can also turn to this article, where we’ve pinpointed 11 other ways to give your social and romantic life a boost.
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Milwaukee Dating Sites
With online dating, you can go from zero dates in a week to several in a matter of minutes. All you have to do is post a profile, and the dating site will go to work for you, sending compatible match suggestions to your inbox every day. We’ve scoured the web for the best dating sites, and you’d be hard-pressed to find ones that are better than the following five.
Best Singles Site
Match is like a lion in the online dating jungle — the powerful leader. The brand was created by Gary Kremen and Peng T. Ong in 1993, and the site was officially launched two years later. Match is responsible for dating innovations that many competitors have mimicked (like the three-tiered subscription model and live events) — not to mention the most romantic online connections of any business.
★★★★★
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
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
39.7 Million* | Try Match FREE |
Best Site for Professionals
Intelligence is one of the most attractive qualities someone can possess, and for those who agree, Elite Singles is our top endorsement. The site has thousands of members, and approximately 82% of them have a degree from a college or university. The success rate is something to brag about as well — more than 2,500 people a month find love because of Elite Singles.
★★★★★
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
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
44%*
56%*
|
2 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
Over 50 & Senior Site
OurTime is a senior dating site that’s operated by People Media, a niche online personals company that’s owned by Match.com. So you know you can have confidence in its ability to find you a like-minded and like-aged date or partner. Whether you’re on a desktop or smartphone, it’s smooth sailing on OurTime because the interface has a clutter-free design and intuitive features.
★★★★★
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
The 2010 Census found that 40% of Milwaukee’s population identifies as black. While that’s a significant number, it could take you a long time to narrow down who’s single and who meets your wants and needs. BlackPeopleMeet puts black and biracial daters on the fast track to love — not just allowing them to specify their racial preferences but also age, location, appearance, passions, and lifestyle habits (e.g., drinking).
★★★★★
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
The movie “Sex Drive” is about Ian going through all sorts of shenanigans and mishaps to meet Ms. Tasty, a beautiful, horny woman he met on a hookup site. In real life, though, it isn’t that difficult. Adult Friend Finder makes casual sex easily accessible, with a free membership, millions of users, a ton of search filters and communication options, and an upfront, non-judgmental atmosphere.
★★★★★
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
Where’s your phone right now? I’m guessing it’s already in your hand, laying right next to you, or sitting in your pocket or purse. I’m also guessing it’s not often far from your side — I’m the same way. If we’re spending so much time on or with our phones, we may as well use that time to our dating advantage, and that’s where the next three apps come in. Whether you download Match, Elite Singles, or Zoosk (which is free, by the way), you can browse, swipe, pair up, and chat with speed and ease.
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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Milwaukee Singles Bars
Joanne’s sister may not have been a drinker, but that’s obviously not the case for everyone in Milwaukee. It is nicknamed Brew City, after all. Milwaukee has some of the most popular breweries in the world (as well as wine bars and cocktail lounges for hop haters). It was hard to pick our favorites, but we chose eight that have the perfect formula for meeting singles: the crowds, the fun, the food, and, of course, the libations.
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Burnhearts
If you want to find Burnhearts, head to Logan Avenue. There you can enjoy craft beer (on draft, bottled, and in cans), exclusive mixed drinks (made with high-quality gin, vodka, rye, and rum), and ice-breaking games like pool and shuffleboard. For more people-meeting possibilities, refer to Burnhearts' calendar for events like beer releases and charity fundraisers.
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Vino Third Ward
You don't just have to be a beer drinker to connect with people in Milwaukee, and Vino Third Ward proves it. This wine bar, tasting room, and wine store offers activities from a wine club to wine classes to Chill and Grill Thursdays. Vino Third Ward's inventory is 150 strong, and, for the ultimate experience, the team will pair your wine with the freshest cheeses and spreads made by local producers.
3
Romans’ Pub
Every year since 2011, Draft magazine has named Romans’ Pub among "America's 100 Best Beer Bars," so you've got to check it out. Some of its featured beers include the Boulevard Kolsch and Short's Melt My Brain. In terms of wine, your choices are Terlato Pinot Grigio and Josh Cellars Pinot Noir, among others. Romans' is housed in a 19th-century building, complete with a beer garden, so the vibe is classic and relaxed.
4
Stubby's
Stubby's Gastrogrub & Beer Bar has 53 beers on tap and counting, and promises that even the most proficient beer drinker will find something they haven't tried. Local, regional, national, and international offerings include Black Husky Vain, New Glarus Moon Man, 3 Sheeps Cashmere Hammer, and Brouwerij St. Bernardus Abt 12. Something else we love about Stubby's is that it won the Best Curds award at Milwaukee's first Curd Fest!
5
Ruby Tap
Ruby Tap calls itself "Milwaukee's neighborhood wine bar," and a lot of its appeal comes from its self-serve wine machines. Daily specials include buy-one-get-one snacks on Thursdays and free truffle popcorn with the purchase of a sparkling bottle on Mondays. Here's what Dylan A. said of Ruby Tap: "Top-notch customer service. Great selection of wines. Date night stop is perfect."
6
Bryant's
Bryant's Cocktail Lounge says it's the oldest bar of its kind in Wisconsin let alone Milwaukee, having opened in 1938. The walls are lined with velvet, the music comes from a Mcintosh stereo, and, according to the site, "there are many dark corners, perfect for your special date or a night out with friends." In terms of the cocktails, we'd recommend the Kismet (because it's a Bryant's original) and the DeFrongue (because it's known as a legend).
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Bernie’s
Bernie's Tap Room & Restaurant is located in Waukesha, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Milwaukee. Its beer menu is constantly changing and will satisfy any palate. You've got IPAs (Rush River Double Bubble), ciders (Ace Pineapple), pilsners (Lazy Monk Bohemian), and porters (Revolution Eugene), to name a few types. Bernie's also hosts live musical performances every Friday night (e.g., from Greg Gerard and Kevin Patrick), so here you'll have more to do than just drink.
4
Milwaukee Speed Dating
Speed dating is depicted in a lot of movies and TV shows (such as “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Hitch,” “Movie 43,” and “Lost Girl,” and it’s something singles in the real world should definitely consider. You get to go on dozens of first dates all in one night, and if nothing comes of it, you still could make new friends who then may introduce you to “The One” — or just the one for now. Knowing more people is always better! Eventbrite has a plethora of speed dating events for Milwaukee singles, so click the link below to find out more.
5
Milwaukee Singles Events
Sometimes sitting across from a date in a nice restaurant can be intimidating, you don’t really get to talk to each other in a movie, and getting coffee can feel too short. That’s why singles events are almost the perfect solution. At these events, you and a group of available people could be playing board games, horseback riding, sightseeing, making cheese, or anything else you could possibly imagine — which encourages teamwork and conversation in a more natural way.
6
Milwaukee Singles Clubs
If you prefer to do your single-searching at night instead of during the day, clubs are a great choice for you. Party and talk into the wee hours of the morning at venues like Hot Water & Wherehouse, Squirrel Cage, and Mad Planet. These are just a few of the Milwaukee clubs with the best reviews on Yelp, so you can rest assured that you’ll have an awesome time with some awesome people.
7
Milwaukee Chat Rooms
Chat rooms have been around since the ’70s, and they’ve evolved drastically countless times over the years. Now we have all kinds of ways to talk (instant message, private emails, photo albums, one- and two-way webcams, online phone calls, etc.) and niche rooms to choose from (location, age, gender, sexual orientation, romantic interest, etc.). Plus, basically every chat room is free, including the five on our list.
8
Milwaukee Personals
Smosh.com has a list of the funniest personal ads ever posted in newspapers, and one of our favorites came from a guy named Handsome Rake. His oddly specific ad said: “Out-of-work leaf rake/bagger seeks whimsical beauty with unkempt auburn or chestnut hair, cool with coarse hands and a penchant for whistling.” We’ll never know if Handsome Rake found his ideal match, but we do know if you have certain dating requirements as well, an online personals site is the place to have those requirements met. Newspapers are no longer necessary!
9
Go to the Milwaukee Brewers' Singles Night
Attending a Milwaukee Brewers game is already a fantastic way to meet people because you can talk with the guy sitting next to you about that last play or chat up that girl who’s also getting a beer. But you should also know that Miller Park co-hosts an annual event just for singles with It’s Just Lunch, a national matchmaking service.
Every year, singles gather in Miller Park for a night of baseball, food and drink, and mingling.
Tickets usually cost around $40, which includes entry into the game and the Miller Lite Deck, two drinks, and a full buffet. Most importantly, this is a chance to share your love of America’s favorite pastime with fellow Brewers fans.
10
Participate in Community Activities
Over 595,000 people call Milwaukee home, and getting out there in the community will put you right in front of them. Fuel Milwaukee is one of the organizations that can help you do that. This network of 40,000 professionals, 7,000 members, and 60 employer partners strives to attract and keep the top talent in Milwaukee, develop the region, and engage locals and visitors.
Get to know your city and its offerings, and that will take you to singles and bring singles to you.
For something less formal, VisitMilwaukee.com has extensive community calendars where you can find dates, times, and prices for festivals, roadshows, karaoke nights, trolley tours and haunted tours, exhibitions, fairs, dances — you name it.
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Sign Up for an Adult Class
My dad always said that you shouldn’t stop learning just because you’re not in school, but in addition to expanding your knowledge and skill sets, taking an adult class also allows you to come together with people from all backgrounds. It doesn’t matter if it’s painting, cooking, sailing, biking, or anything else.
Your education doesn’t have to stop after high school or college; grow your social circle and learn something fun by taking adult classes.
Some of the best resources for adult students in Milwaukee include MilwaukeeRecreation.net and Eventbrite.com.
Miltown, Making Meaningful & Magical Matches!
Joanne B. is an amazing sibling. Because she took the time to post a comment on Yelp, in one day, her new-to-town sister had a number of ideas to try and even someone to hang out with. However, if you don’t have a sister or brother like Joanne who can play matchmaker for you, it’s not a problem. We’re here to do all of that work for you. Milwaukee is like an ocean of singles — you just need to know the best places to fish!
Photo sources: rfsdelivers.com, jsonline.com, milwaukeerep.com, milwaukeehabitat.org, thrillist.com, americascuisine.com, urbanmilwaukee.com, wauwatosanow.com, austinandmike.com, samplewisconsin.com, djoybeat.com, nytimes.com, tampabay.com
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