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Tacoma, WA
In 2015, PhilipK72 moved to the Joint Base Lewis–McChord, a U.S. military air base just outside Tacoma, and he had trouble making friends and picking up dates in his new home. After struggling to find social groups on his own, the 20-year-old single posted on Reddit to ask locals for recommendations on where to meet new people.
“I’m optimistic I’ll find something,” Philip said in his discussion post. “I know Tacoma has got to have some good volunteering opportunities, meetups, clubs, group classes, or events.”
That it does. Tacoma is the second largest city in the Puget Sound and the third largest city in the state of Washington. Its estimated population is over 207,000 people. Singles can find many opportunities to connect in this well-populated area, and we’ve listed a few top-rated resources that can help you break into the dating scene.
Online dating has exploded in popularity in recent years and become the number one way to meet dateworthy folks around the world. Millions of singles have used general and niche sites to up the caliber of their dating experiences. Whether you live in the city proper or the suburbs, you can use a dating site‘s search tools to narrow down the local dating pool to viable candidates. We recommend Tacoma singles try the following free dating sites to add some excitement to their love lives.
Match launched in 1995 as one of the first-ever dating sites, and it is still going strong. Tacoma itself is an old city (founded in 1833), so its residents can appreciate the value of a brand with a few miles on it. Match has facilitated countless dates, relationships, and marriages over the years, and it has the success stories to prove it!
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 |
EliteSingles is the dating site for the elite. It cultivates an elevated atmosphere where well-educated and relationship-oriented singles can build strong connections based on mutual interest. The dating site boasts that it creates a new match every seven minutes using its curated compatibility algorithm.
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 |
OurTime is a premier dating site for singles over 50. The site’s easy signup process and simple search features cater to the needs of active daters in their golden years. You can create an OurTime profile for free and start browsing the site for potential dates in your age bracket.
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 |
Tacoma is one of the more diverse cities in Washington state with around 12% of residents identifying as African-American. Still, it’s not easy to find a black or biracial date in town. BlackPeopleMeet can help with that by offering a niche network of black singles seeking short-term and long-term relationships.
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 |
While some dating sites endeavor to unlock the secrets of love, Adult Friend Finder focuses more on the short-term dating goals of lovemaking. This dating site has established a global community of sexy singles seeking a no-strings-attached hookup. You don’t need to join under your real name, and that anonymity helps adult singles have their fun while off the clock.
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 |
Modern singles practically live on their smartphones, so it’s no surprise that they turn to dating apps when looking for a hot date. Browsing for a date on an app is as easy as swiping left or right, and the mutual matching system empowers daters to only talk to the people they’ve expressed interest in. That means zero unsolicited messages and zero time wasted on unattractive profiles.
User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
---|---|---|---|
All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
13.5 Million* | Free Download |
User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
---|---|---|---|
All Singles* |
43%*
57%*
|
290,000* | Free Download |
User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
---|---|---|---|
All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
3.8 Million* | Free Download |
Not everyone excels in an online setting, and some traditionalist daters still prefer to meet singles in person. If you’re looking for some face-to-face flirtation, the bar scene is a great place to start. Hanging out at a bar can allow you to scope out the dating scene and build casual friendships that could lead to something more. The social and flirtatious atmosphere is perfect for singles on the prowl for a date.
The Top of Tacoma Bar & Café has premium real estate at the top of a hill overlooking the city. The bare brick exterior may not look like much, but sitting at the bar gives you a great view of everything it has to offer from craft brews to premium liquors. The menu is sure to satisfy with its cheesy sandwiches, spicy nachos, and large salads. The bar's home-style cooking will make you feel right at home, and you can kick back with a drink until closing time at 2 in the morning.
Since its establishment in 1935, Parkway Tavern has welcomed countless dreamers, doers, and daytime drinkers. This local watering hole features 33 of the finest crafted beers in town, and it offers hot subs, burgers, appetizers, and classic pub grub to pair with your drinks. Parkway Tavern also has a sleek shuffleboard table, dart boards, and a pool table where singles can gather and build friendships over a few games. You should check out Parkway Tavern's event calendar to find out about upcoming happy hours, brewers nights, blood drives, and other festive happenings at the bar.
1022 South J is a cocktail bar with attitude. Since 2013, this place has wowed locals with its signature cocktails. The bar has one of the largest spirits collections in town, so patrons can enjoy a wide variety of flavor combinations. The 1022's imaginative and knowledgeable mixologists can make a recommendation or whip up something off-menu to delight your taste buds. Just be sure to save room for dinner because the bar's Southern-inspired dishes have quickly become the talk of the town.
The Matador is known for serving authentic Mexican food made from scratch in the kitchen. Its Tacoma location is just steps away from the Glass Museum and is a popular place to take a date while out on the town. The cocktails menu includes eight flavorful margaritas and several specialty drinks guaranteed to knock your socks off. During the restaurant's late-night happy hour (from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.), many singles linger in conversation while sharing $5 appetizers and making the most of the bar's wide drink selection.
The Forum fosters a fun-loving community with its festive atmosphere. You can show up by yourself or with friends to enjoy quality food and drinks while surrounded by locals doing the same. Every Tuesday night, the bar hosts a free trivia night on pop culture topics. Its Disney-themed pub quiz is by far the most popular, and some people get pretty competitive about it. All in all, this downtown spot is a wonderful hangout for singles hoping to make inroads in the social scene and have a great time while they're at it.
Located in the Theatre District, The Mix is Tacoma's #1 gay bar where karaoke nights, drag shows, and DJ-led dance parties get everyone hooting and hollering. You don't have to look very hard to see the appeal of this wild and colorful place. Singles of all orientations show up here looking for a memorable evening, but the bar's gay-themed nights have a particular appeal among the LGBTQ community. From Monday Madness to Whiskey Wednesday, The Mix's lively atmosphere and shows make every night something to celebrate.
Dating takes time, and not every single has the patience or energy to go on first dates night after night in hopes of meeting someone special. Fortunately, speed dating events can significantly decrease the time it takes to weed out the bad dates and find compatible people to get to know. You can get down to business and make a fast connection on a five-minute mini-date, and this efficient process often leads to follow-up dates and long-term relationships.
A singles event gives locals a chance to come out of their shells and build relationships with people who share similar hobbies, backgrounds, and goals. Whether you’re interested in gaming, hiking, or brunching, you’ll find meetups of all sizes and interests online. Meetup.com is by the far the best resource for singles hoping to get into the action. You can search for singles-specific groups on Meetup to find your place in the local social scene.
From North End to Fern Hill, Tacoma has many bustling social spots where singles can mix, mingle, and dance the night away. The nightclubs in town tend to attract a sizable crowd on Friday and Saturday nights, and anyone over 21 can join the fun. The blaring music and flashing lights get people excited and facilitate romance on the dance floor. All you need is a few eye-catching dance moves to get people’s attention at the club, and you never know what’s going to happen next.
During hot days or wintry nights, singles may not always want to go outside to meet folks, and, thanks to the internet, they don’t have to. Online chat rooms allow individuals to make conversation and have fun socializing without leaving home. It’s a dating free-for-all where you can share your interests and opinions anytime you’re feeling chatty. These anonymous chats can help singles get their footing in the dating scene and practice their pickup lines in a safe environment.
Dating personals provide a direct line to available dates in your neighborhood. These websites have streamlined the online dating process and boiled its features down to the essentials. That means no complex matching system or lengthy profiles. You just state what you want and start looking for profiles that agree with you. You don’t have to be coy on a dating personals site; many singles are upfront about their sexual preferences and desires in their ads, and that honesty makes it easier to hook up with someone on the same page as you.
Volunteering can broaden your horizons in many ways. Not only is it a terrific way to give back, it’s also a terrific way to meet caring and generous people in the community.
You cansign up as a volunteer with Rescue Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to sheltering the homeless in Pierce County, to join a compassionate team that serves 1,200 meals a day and shelters over 250 people. The Rescue Mission inspires its team members to make a difference by working together to serve meals, mentor at-risk youths, and host donation drives.
Or, if animals are more your thing, the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is always taking on adult volunteers. Submit an online application to find out what you can do to make the zoo more beautiful, sustainable, and engaging.
Singles can also use VolunteerMatch’s national database to find volunteer opportunities in and around Tacoma. This website allows you to filter volunteer events by cause type, activity, region, or keyword.
Only three people replied to PhilipK72’s Reddit post about where to meet people in Tacoma, and none of them were very encouraging or helpful. We hope our list has done a better job of addressing Philip’s concerns as a single in a new city and provided a resource for others like him in Tacoma.
Whether you’re looking for a date online or offline, you should seek out fun places where singles are plentiful and conversation flows freely. The right venue can take the pressure off you and help you relax as you mingle in a crowd of date-worthy people. We recommend going out and trying multiple ways to meet people so you can see what works best for you. Once you discover your sweet spot, you can find your sweetheart in Tacoma. Good luck!
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