Top 10 Best Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
In the late ’90s, a friend of mine was just starting to date his future wife when she called him in a panic. She’d wanted to book a flight for Portland, Oregon, but she’d ended up on a plane bound for Portland, Maine. Whoops! This was the young couple’s first mini-crisis, and it was a doozy to handle without internet. Lucky for them, she found herself in a friendly place where people bent over backward to help her get where she wanted to go.
Portland is the largest city in Maine, but it doesn’t have the look-out-for-yourself, watch-where-you’re-going mentality of most big cities. A majority of Mainers are happy to lend a stranger a helping hand, so it’s easy to get to know people around town. If you find yourself alone and friendless in Portland, booking a one-way plane ticket out of there isn’t your only option — singles can find lots of fun ways to kick-start their social lives and meet kind local people.
Not sure where to start? You can read through our suggestions to help you meet someone special in Portland, Maine.
1
Portland Dating Sites
As singles go on bad date after bad date, it can feel like the dating pool is running dry. Over time, active daters may doubt that there are any fish left in the sea. It just takes the right fishing line to get a good catch though. Portland has over 15,000 unmarried residents between the ages of 20 and 34. Where are these people? Online, of course! Dating websites are the fastest way to meet thousands of available and eager date prospects near you. We highly recommend joining one of our top-reviewed dating websites for singles in Portland.
Best Singles Site
If you’re serious about dating, you need a serious dating site to help you. Match has proven its worth time and time again over the past two decades. The matchmaking platform has built a formidable reputation in the dating industry. The dating site and app’s personality-driven profiles and location-based searches help singles connect in meaningful ways online. An above-average percentage of Portland singles have created profiles on Match — so you definitely won’t be there alone.
★★★★★
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
The unemployment rate in Portland has stayed beneath the national and state average. As of 2017, only 3% of Portland residents were without work. This city is teeming with career-oriented professionals, and many daters have high expectations for their long-term partners. On Elite Singles, educated singles come together on a dating platform designed for the upper crust. If you want to build an adult relationship, Elite Singles is a safe bet.
★★★★★
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
Portland’s beautiful vistas, affordable homes, and peaceful atmosphere have made the waterfront city a popular place for retirees in North America. It can be lonely, of course, if you find yourself living there as a single adult. Fortunately, senior dating websites introduce singles in their golden years to a growing network of people with similar values and experiences. OurTime provides user-friendly dating tools to make it easy for mature adults to connect with one another and find a date who views age as an asset.
★★★★★
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
Over the past few decades, Maine has become a more diverse place, but white people still make up about 85% of Portland’s population, which leaves few options for singles attracted to Black and biracial dates. However, BlackPeopleMeet gives African-American singles a place to find one another and flirt online. On this niche dating site, Black singles are the majority, and they’re in high demand.
★★★★★
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
Lobster dinners and long walks on the beach aren’t for everyone. Some daters just want to hook up. If you’re looking for no-strings-attached sex, Adult Friend Finder is the perfect wingman. This X-rated online community encourages attractive men and women to follow their desires. Over 100 million profiles tempt daters around the world, and Portland residents can search by location to find a willing playmate in their neighborhoods.
★★★★★
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
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
65%*
35%*
|
25.5 Million* | 3 Months @ $19.95/Mo |
2
Popular Dating Apps
When you feel run-down by today’s dating scene, just think about Portland’s motto, “I will rise again” and get back out there. Downloading a dating app can be a good way to refresh your experience and give you a new social network to explore. Dating apps send date prospects direct to your mobile device so you’re never far from a flirtatious chat and a promising connection. For your convenience, we’ve reviewed our favorite dating apps for Portland’s active daters. Resurgam!
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 |
3
Portland Singles Bars
Portland certainly has no shortage of bars. There’s a drinking establishment for every 1,000 residents and one microbrewery for every 4,000 residents. In 2015, SmartAsset named Portland the number one city in the US for beer drinkers. If flirting with a date over a cold beer appeals to you, pull up a stool because Portland’s bars are filled with singles enjoying a night on the town. Below you’ll find the seven most beloved haunts of Portlanders on the hunt for a date and drink.
1
Novare Res Bier Cafe
If you like beer, you'll love Novare Res Bier Cafe. The taproom and beer garden offer a rotating list of drafts and bottles from around the world. At this dive bar, you can drink a pint in peace and make a new acquaintance as the evening unfolds. The family-owned establishment maintains a friendly atmosphere where people feel comfortable kicking back and relaxing. Novare Res means to start a revolution, and that's what this lively local favorite aims to do by delivering the goods seven days a week.
2
Allagash Brewing Company
Hundreds of Belgian-inspired beers line the walls at the Allagash Brewing Company. In the summer of 1995, one enthusiastic Portland brewer sold his first batch of specialty crafted beer and created a taste sensation that has since spread to 17 states. The independent brewery ferments and serves creative flavor combinations for local beer lovers. From the tasting room to the novelty shop, Portland's famed brewery delights visitors seeking to unwind. On your visit, you've got to try Allagash's award-winning flagship beer, Allagash White, a wheat beer incorporating oats, malted wheat, and Curaçao orange peel.
3
Urban Farm Fermentory
At the Urban Farm Fermentory, daters can mingle in a crowd with selective tastes. Whether you're craving a strong mead or an authentic kombucha, you can sample a homegrown concoction made in the urban farm. The tasting room features 22 rotating taps with seasonal selections. All beers and ciders are made on property so you can trust the quality in every sip. Plus, the Fermentory's foraging missions are great opportunities for singles to roll up their sleeves and meet people who share a passion for fresh ingredients and outdoor activities.
4
Bissell Brothers
Yes, this list heavily favors breweries. No, I'm not sorry for that. Portland is known for its rich beer-guzzling culture. Beer is what the locals love, so breweries are where you'll find the most date prospects. Bissell Brothers is a popular stop-off for anyone in need of a cold one. Since 2013, an enthusiastic team of brewers has served dark ales, wheat malts, and rich beers in 5-ounce or 10-ounce pours. The team began as a crew of three and now operates the largest single-room tap room in Maine. From the arcade games to the tasting events, the Bissell Brothers Brewing Company brings the fun to the Portland scene.
5
North Point
If you're more of a wine connoisseur than a beer drinker, you can go to North Point to savor over 20 wines by the glass or bottle. The bar features superior flavors in every vintage — plus a menu of cocktails and 10 brews on tap. Facilitating laughter and conversation, the upscale ambiance at this old-fashioned establishment makes it stand out in the downtown scene. Singles can order a pitcher of sangria, a plate of soft cheeses, or a sweet crepe to split with someone special at the North Point bar.
6
Rí Rá Irish Pub
The Rí Rá Irish Pub gets its name from a Gaelic phrase that translates (roughly) as bedlam and good fun, especially when alcohol and good food are involved. This traditional Irish pub pours top-notch Guinness beers in a cozy Victorian-style lounge and firelit upstairs bar. You can look out over the water as you mix and mingle at this classic bar in the heart of Portland.
7
Thirsty Pig
The Thirsty Pig pairs succulent house-made sausages with top-quality local brews. People come here for unbelievably delicious specialty hot dogs, including a crispy cheddar-cheese wrapped hot dog known as the Shermanator. From blueberry chicken to vegan chili, the varied menu has imaginative flavor combinations that are fun to try with someone special. At least three times a week, the Thirsty Pig hosts live musical performances to encourage Mainers to come out and enjoy themselves at the bar.
4
Portland Speed Dating
I hear a lot of people say they’ve lost patience with dating. It takes too long for them to meet someone worthwhile, and the slow buildup of traditional dating is frustrating to people who just want to stay in and cuddle with someone. I get that. Slow and steady may win the race, but it sure isn’t fun. That’s why speed dating events can be invaluable to time-conscious singles ready to skip over the bad dates and establish a genuine connection in the course of one evening. After a dozen or so mini-dates, speed daters come away with mutual matches who are well worth their time.
5
Portland Singles Events
Don’t let the small-town vibes fool you — Portland is the largest metro city in Maine and has a thriving social scene. All you have to do is search online to find a lively event happening near you. Whether you’re most comfortable in a jam-packed party or a local bowling alley, singles events give you the opportunity to have a fun experience while introducing yourself to potential dates. Meetup offers tons of opportunities to encounter new Portland singles over brunch, at the beach, or in a bar.
6
Portland Singles Clubs
My friend always says she feels the most alive when she’s dancing to the beat of her favorite song. If clubbing were a sport, she’d definitely be a pro. I swear, she can get a date on the dance floor faster than Olympian Galen Rupp can run a long-distance sprint. The clubs are prime dating locales for singles, like my friend, who love the nightlife. As the music gets everyone’s heart rate up, you can sidle up close to someone special and let your dance moves do all the talking for you.
7
Portland Chat Rooms
Starting a conversation from scratch can be intimidating in the middle of a bar or club, but it’s easy when you’re online. You don’t need a charming smile or a suave pick-up line. Simply typing “a/s/l” is enough to get the ball rolling. A chat room is a low-pressure space for daters to chat each other up and make a good first impression. A lot of locals use chat rooms to build confidence in the dating world and say what they want without embarrassment. In adult chat rooms, the conversation often gets explicit as singles enjoy the freedom to be themselves and own their desires.
8
Portland Personals
In the days before computers, singles would put up advertisements on bulletin boards and in newspapers when they were seeking a date. In 1895, one Maine farmer described himself as having “good teeth” and boasted of “owning nine sheep” in a newspaper ad seeking a wife. It sounds silly now, but that was the best way to reach the most people around town. Nowadays, of course, the internet works much better than a short column in the personals section. Online dating personals give singles a chance to advertise and search for a date without leaving home. You can create a dating profile for free on any of the following websites.
9
Be a Sport & Get Involved in Local Games
Whether you’re a player or a fan, sports bring people together in a common cause: to win! Portland residents love turning out for game days; over 400,000 fans come to Hadlock Field each summer to root on the Portland Sea Dogs. You can add your voice to the crowd and start a lively discussion about the nuances of the game by buying tickets to the ballpark.
Portland fans crowd into sports bars to watch the latest soccer game, rugby match, hockey tournament, baseball game, or basketball lineup. Binga’s Stadium is a huge sports bar known for its jumbo chicken wings and homemade sauces.
Since 2004, Binga’s Stadium has been the go-to spot for Portland sports fans looking for a good time.
At Binga’s Stadium, over 40 television sets and five projectors ensure you always have a front-row seat to your favorite sporting match-up. Singles can come here on a weekend to spend a day watching the games, munching on wings, and bonding with some fellow fans. Go Sea Dogs!
Land a Date With the Right Person in Maine's Forest City
Whether you end up in Portland by design or by accident, Maine’s beautiful coast and amiable people are sure to make a positive impression. My friend’s misadventure in the Northeast became a funny story to tell at parties and a reason to triple-check their plane tickets. Today, the family of four only ever ends up in Portland on a planned visit.
People may confuse Maine’s Portland with a city across the country, but this coastal paradise has its fair share of attractions and charm. Portland is a beautiful city sandwiched between the Adirondack mountain range and the Casco Bay. Locals can head to a bar or sign up to a social site to make new friends without breaking a sweat. Hopefully, our nine ways to meet singles have given you the inspiration to take a chance on the dating scene and make a love connection with a new person in your area. Good luck!
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