Let’s be real. The days of thumbing through a digital abyss of profiles are over. Dating apps are outdated.
They had their time during the pandemic. But Match Group, which owns Tinder, Hinge and other dating apps, has lost nearly 80% of share value since its peak in 2021, according to CNN. And a 2024 report by Eventbrite said attendance at dating and singles events geared toward millennials and Gen Z had increased 49% over a year.
These generations are seeking to make connections in person—in the “third place” outside of home and work where one can relax, socialize and simply be without judgment. And Las Vegas businesses are providing opportunities for them to meet and vibe.
Khoury’s Fine Wine & Spirits hosted its first speed-dating event in 2024, and has since increased its sign-up slots from 40 to 60.
The next event, called “crafted connections” takes place February 15 at the Henderson tap house. Tickets are $30 and include two drink tokens. Attendees must fill out an interest form, available at instagram.com/khourysfinewine.
On the interest form, all attendees indicate what gender they are seeking, or if they are just looking for friends.
“Whether it’s going to be a platonic connection or romantic, we’re going to make sure that it’s secure, safe and not weird or stuffy,” says Milena DiFiore, marketing director for Khoury’s.
DiFiore adds that she sees a need to increase the presence of third places in our communities.
“People are rarely on their phones; they’re always chatting. … At a place like Khoury’s, people can bring their friends, bring their moms. It’s a community hub, which I feel we’re really lacking in the U.S.,” she says.
Ada’s Food + Wine has also seen interest in its speed dating event, Sips and Sparks.
“Ada’s tried speed dating once, sort of on a lark, and they’ve been shocked by the response. So we keep doing it,” says Eric Gladstone, marketing representative for Ada’s.
The restaurant in Tivoli Village has held three speed-dating events since last fall. Tickets for the February 12 event were $55 through opentable.com, and included wine, charcuterie and salads. At the events, lead sommelier Kat Thomas and sommelier Chloe Helfand lead attendees through an evening of interesting questions, rotating dates and different wine selections.
Announcements for future speed dating events at Ada’s will be posted at instagram.com/adas.lv.
Also on February 12, Crafthaus Brewery in Henderson hosted a Pitch-A-Friend event where people could sign up to give a three to five-minute slideshow presentation promoting their friend. The Las Vegas franchise launched in October 2024 and hosted two other events since then.
“Sixty to 70 people showed up to both,” says Pitch-A-Friend Las Vegas organizer Jessalyn Wallace.
Pitch-A-Friend events are free to attend. For those who want to show a slideshow, it costs $5 to reserve a spot.
At the end of each slideshow, the friend’s photo and contact information are displayed for people to make connections.
“I always see numbers being exchanged by the end of the night,” says Wallace. “It’s a great way to find not only love, but also new friends or for networking.”
Future Pitch-A-Friend events will be posted at instagram.com/pitchafriend.lasvegas.
On February 22, Fergusons Downtown will host a speed-dating event organized by LGBTQ group Lez Touch Entertainment. The event is tailored to women seeking women, and builds on the success of other events held at Fergusons’ F the Bar in the past.
A shuffle dating event held in August had 20 people in attendance, says Fergusons general manager and director of events Tori Fangman.
Tickets for the Lez Touch event are $15—which includes a draft beer—and can be purchased at eventbrite.com. Participants are required to be 21 and older. Fergusons’ other speed-dating events typically have an age range of 21 to 55.
Fangman says the in-person interaction might help with mental health, and meeting a few friends or romantic interests along the way.
“Studies have shown, we are experiencing mental health issues by just being on our phone all the time and isolating ourselves. So getting out, having a cocktail at a bar, I think overall is a better experience and a better chance of really getting to know somebody,” Fangman says.
Future events at Fergusons are at fergusonsdowntown.com/events.
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