Forget Bumble, Here Are 15 Ways To Meet Guys IRL This Summer

As summer draws near, there are a few things on your mind: finding the right swimsuit for your body type, booking a fun girls’ trip with your closest friends, and hosting a garden party or two. And, of course, somewhere on that list is meeting a guy you click with – but this time, preferably not through the use of a dating app. 

You’re tired of fretting over picking the right profile picture and composing the perfect bio. You don’t want to spend another evening in your sweatpants, staring at your phone and waiting for another match. You’ve lost interest in swiping left and right for hours, only to walk away with a maybe date with a guy who’s holding a fish in three out of his four pictures. More than anything, you really want to meet a guy like they did in the olden days – in real life. But sometimes you wonder how such a thing is even possible anymore. Where on earth are you going to find him? 

If it’s been a little while since you’ve dated, or if you’ve normally sought the help of Bumble to find dates, you might feel a little lost as to where to begin. How are you supposed to magically come across a guy? Is there a special place you should look? A place where all of the eligible men are kept?

Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are 15 fun ways you could meet the man of your dreams out in the wild before summer is out.

Head to the Park with a Book

Bring a blanket, a couple of snacks, and a good book, and set yourself up for an afternoon at a local park. Not only are these the ingredients for a lovely day to begin with, but it opens up the opportunity for a guy who catches your eye to approach you by asking what you’re reading (especially if you skip the headphones). You can impress him with your immaculate taste, and from there, the conversation should flow naturally.

Host a Picnic

Doesn’t everybody love a good picnic? This summer, become the hostess with the mostess. Open up your backyard (or, alternatively, head to a cute park in your area) and invite your friends over for a summer potluck picnic with the request that they invite a few of their friends along…including any single guy friends they might have. At the very least, you’ll meet new potential friends – and we all know that one of the best ways to meet a significant other is through mutual friends.

Play Some Beach Volleyball

If you’re a sporty type, there’s nothing more fun than getting a little bit competitive. Challenge a group of guys who are already playing to a round of beach volleyball with your friends. If one guy catches your eye, see if he’d be interested in grabbing some ice cream afterward or going for a walk along the shore. You’ll have gotten in some good exercise and met someone new.

Take Your Pup to a Dog Park

You were going to take your dog outside anyway, right? So why not take your pup to a dog park for a fun day out while maximizing your chances of coming across a guy? The best part is you have the built-in excuse of telling him how adorable his dog is in order to start a conversation. And from there, your dogs can have regular play dates, giving you yet another excuse to see him again.

If You WFH, Do It Outdoors

If you’re lucky enough to be able to work from anywhere, this means that you can make a cute outdoor cafe your office (which is a win all on its own). And if you work from there regularly enough, you’re bound to start seeing a few familiar faces after a while…one of which might be a guy who you click with. If he’s shy about approaching you, you can break the ice by asking him what he’s drinking or what he recommends.

Get a Summer Job

If you’re in college and looking to get a summer job, why not make it a place where you’re more likely to run into guys your age? You could consider a local coffee shop, a fun bookstore, or even an ice cream parlor. This way, you’ll be making money and meeting new people.

Head to the Beach (or Lake)

No summer is complete without a day spent at the beach. Head out with a couple of friends, bring along plenty of snacks, and spend a few hours lounging in the sand. If you and your friends end up striking up a conversation with a few guys, you might even invite them to grab some dinner as a group at a restaurant overlooking the water.

Try Your Hand at Pickleball

Pickleball – or tiny tennis, as many call it – is all the rage these days. The good news is you don’t have to be super athletic to play a few rounds of pickleball, you just have to be ready for a good time! Head to a local court with a friend, and if you happen to catch a guy’s eye, invite him to play. Either way, you’re bound to have fun in the sun.

Go to an Outdoor Music Festival

Outdoor concerts are one of the best parts of these balmy summer months – but not just because of the incredible music. You’ll be surrounded by people who, at the very least, have the same taste in music as you, which means you won’t be grasping at straws to figure out what to talk about with that guy you keep spotting across the crowd.

Say Yes to All the Parties and Gatherings

The more chances you give yourself to meet a guy by getting out of the house, the greater the likelihood is that you’ll actually meet one (we know every introvert reading this just let out a sigh, but it’s the truth!). This means saying yes to as many events, gatherings, and parties as you can realistically go to. So don’t forget to RSVP to all those church events, BBQs, and birthday parties! You just might meet the man of your dreams at one of them.

Take Yourself Out to the Ball Game

Nothing says summer like a good old-fashioned baseball game. Head out to see your local team play with a few friends and get into the spirit of the game with hot dogs and drinks. And if you’re feeling daring, you can strike up a conversation with that guy you keep running into at the concession stand. 

Plan a Girls’ Vacation

Who says you have to stay within your zip code to meet a guy this summer? Get together with a couple of your girl friends for a summer vacation on the beach up the coast, in a new city, or in a quaint little town. Since you’re out and about, you’re more likely to come across a cute guy who strikes your fancy. And if you click well enough, it just might be the start of something more serious.

Watch a Movie Outdoors

Calling all film buffs – this one is for you! There are few things as summer-y as sitting under the stars, soda and popcorn by your side, with a classic movie playing on a giant projector. And if you’re lucky, you might notice that you’re sitting awfully close to a cute fellow movie lover whom you can make jokes with during the film.

Try Volunteering

Looking for a way to spend your days this summer doing good and meeting new people? Then volunteering is definitely the way to go. You can sign up to be a lifeguard, a camp counselor, or for a conservation program. You’ll be using your time well while optimizing your chances of finding that special someone, so there’s really no going wrong here.

Join a Local Fitness Club

Summer and physical fitness go hand in hand – you want to look good in your new denim shorts, after all. Sign up for a local fitness club and scope out the other members. Not only is this the place to meet a guy in your area, but you’ll also know that he takes his physical health seriously. Plus, you’ll be seeing him regularly if you go often enough.

Closing Thoughts

Summer is a season teeming with adventure, filled with possibilities, and jam-packed with new experiences – which is what makes it the perfect time to meet a guy out in the wild rather than by swiping right. Whether you end up trying your hand at pickleball, becoming a regular at an outdoor coffee shop, or volunteering for a cause that’s close to your heart, we have a feeling you’ll have found that special someone by the time the leaves start falling.

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