1. You're more likely to meet a 'quality man' on a plane than on a bus. Fly on an airline with open seating (like Southwest), and do your best to sit next to a guy who looks like he's around your age. Airports Are Great Places: I have met several men in airports. Go early, find a seat at your gate, and be open to conversation with anyone nearby.
2. 50Plus Club is a strictly over-50s dating site where you can meet singles and find a partner for dating, friendship, and companionship — or simply join in on discussions. It’s the leading over-50 online dating site, and has an active community for baby boomers, senior singles, and singles over 50.

Although we're pretty lucky to have access to hundreds of singles on all of these dating apps out there, it's important to take a break from online dating from time to time.

Why? Well, you need to give yourself a chance to meet someone organically.

Not everyone wants their “how we met” story to be a “we both swiped right” story. Even though dating apps are super convenient, they're, unfortunately, putting a stop to the meet-cute.

Meeting someone in real life is already a first step in the right direction: There's a cute “how we met” story to tell, an immediate connection formed and an idyllic memory to look back on.

Not everyone wants their 'how we met' story to be a 'we both swiped right' story.

Many women prefer meeting men in real life because it creates the opportunity for a more natural connection. A face-to-face first meeting allows you to get a feel for his personality, his sense of humour and his ability to converse in person, none of which can be determined on an app.

It's these detriments of dating apps that waste our time when someone we meet up with isn't at all who we thought they'd be IRL, and it's these wasted nights that motivate us to meet men out in the real world, instead.

Here are 16 places to meet single guys IRL, as well as some tips on how to talk to him once you spot him:

Send him a drink at a restaurant

In the United States, single adults now outnumber married adults for the first time since 1976 (when the U.S. Federal government began tracking that data). More than 50% of the population is unattached, but many men and women (particularly the former) still struggle to meet people they want to date.

I can't count the number of times I've had a drink at a busy restaurant, and I could see at table of attractive men nearby. Instead of talking about how cute they are, why not send one of them a drink?

Ask his server what he's drinking, and ask them to bring him one from you. I tried this once, simply as a social experiment, and it was both hilarious and successful. I live tweeted the whole thing.

Ask his server what he's drinking, and ask them to bring him one from you.

After I sent him the beer, he, of course, came up to my table and said thank you, and he even sat down at my table for a bit. We exchanged numbers, and he commended me on my confidence, saying that nobody had ever done that before.

At a party

It's so easy to meet single guys at parties, but we often make the mistake of hanging out in a corner with our girl friends all night, and we're too shy to approach anyone.

The guy you have your eye on won't notice you if you're tucked away in that same corner all night, so here's the deal: If you want a guy to notice you at a party, you should be standing in a high-traffic area.

If you want a guy to notice you at a party, you should be standing in a high-traffic area.

Stand by the fridge where all the beers are. Park yourself by the water cooler. Stand by the food. You'll meet lots of men this way. You can also check for cute guys holding almost-empty beers and say, “I'm going to grab myself a beer. Do you want one?”

Always go to parties with your outgoing friends because if all else fails, you can get them to march right up to the guy you want to talk to and say, “Hey, I want you to meet my friend!”

At a hardware store

Hardware stores are one of the easiest places to meet men, especially since so many of them shop there. I was at Home Depot the other day, and it was hot-guy-central.

The moment you spot a guy buying tools who catches your eye, walk past him, stop and say, “Do you, by chance, know what I need to buy to install my floating shelves?”

Then, you can start chatting about home decorating, what he's buying and why. It's an effortless conversation topic that can easily lead to a date.

Line-ups

Any sort of line-up is a great excuse to chat with someone.

If a cute guy happens to be behind you in line at Starbucks or in front of you in line for Chipotle, don't hesitate to pass the time by striking up a conversation. Line-ups are boring, and he'd probably rather chat with you than check his phone for the next five minutes.

Any sort of line-up is a great excuse to chat with someone.

If you're at Starbucks, for example, try tapping him on the shoulder and saying something like, “Hey, if I buy a brownie will you eat half?”

While volunteering

Single guys do volunteer sometimes. And the type of guy you'll meet while volunteering will probably be a good-quality, nice guy you can bring home to Mom.

If you're in the same volunteering group, you can chat with him, mention you're going to be volunteering at another event next weekend and ask him if he'd like to join you.

At a coffee shop

Plenty of successful, entrepreneurial men work all day or all night at coffee shops. And the popular, busy coffee shops almost always involve sharing tables with strangers.

Plenty of successful, entrepreneurial men work all day or all night at coffee shops.

Sometimes, only certain tables have an outlet to plug in your laptop, which is a great excuse to ask to share the table (since you need that plug). Once you're sharing a table with him, you can make conversation by asking him what he's working on.

At the dog park

The dog park is a great place to meet men, so if you don't have a dog, you need to borrow your friend's dog ASAP.

You can say things like, “Aw, my dog likes your dog. We should exchange numbers so these new best friends can meet up again.” Or if you see a guy petting your dog, you can say, “He seems to like you. He doesn't like everyone, so take that as a compliment.”

On the subway

Similar to busy coffee shops, public transportation often involves sitting next to a cute stranger. If you spot an empty seat next to a cutie, sit down and ask him what book he's reading, introduce yourself and make small talk. That small talk could result in numbers being exchanged.

Top Places To Meet Singles Over 50 Years

At a sporting event or a sports bar

Head to any baseball game, hockey game or football game, or even to sports bars to watch the game. Trust me, lots of cute single guys will be there. And they'll definitely be game for a distraction between periods.

If you're both cheering for the same team, you'll already have common ground to start a conversation.

If you're both cheering for the same team, you'll already have common ground to start a conversation. Even if you're cheering for opposing teams, you can joke around with each other about it, aka you can flirt with each other.

Waiting areas

Whether you're waiting to board the same flight at the airport or in the waiting room at the dentist's office, you have an excuse to chat with someone when there's time to pass.

For some reason, we ladies always think we need an excuse to talk to a guy. Well, if you need one, passing the time in a waiting room is a great reason to strike up a conversation.

For some reason, we ladies always think we need an excuse to talk to a guy.

Grocery stores

Whenever I go grocery shopping, I always see men shopping by themselves, and there are plenty of excuses to talk to them.

You can walk right up to him and say, “Excuse me, where did you find that stir-fry kit? I love how the veggies are already chopped up for you.”

Usually, grocery stores also have line-ups at every check-out lane during peak hours, so choose the line-up with a lonely man in it. You could even joke around with a playful “Hey, thanks for saving my spot in line!” and pretend to budge in front of him.

In an amateur acting class

Plenty of people join amateur acting classes or improv groups as a hobby. It's perfect for meeting new people, as you're often paired up with someone and forced to become fast friends as you act out a scene together.

At the gym

Guys like picking girls up at the gym because they love the way we look when we aren't wearing makeup or trying too hard. It's a casual setting that makes it easy to talk to someone, even if you're just pretending you need advice on whether or not your form looks good.

A shared hobby

A shared hobby or activity is a great way to meet men in real life.

Everyone likes dating someone they share interests with.

If you're both on the same soccer team, you're both in the same outdoor education group or you're in the same running group, it's a great foundation to start a relationship. Everyone likes dating someone they share interests with.

A set-up

Don't be afraid to ask your friends to set you up with someone. Everyone knows an eligible bachelor or two, and not enough people organize set-ups these days.

On vacation

People seem to be the best versions of themselves when they're on vacation. They're relaxed, confident and often have zero inhibitions when it comes to meeting new people.

It's incredibly easy to pick up a guy at the pool and ask him if he can recommend a good restaurant nearby or if he wants to join you on a snorkeling adventure.

What to do when you’re 40 and single? Does it seem to you that you have tried merely EVERYTHING, but still no result? Already desperate to find love and preparing yourself for loneliness? Cheer up! We will give you a list of the best places to meet singles over 40 to increase your chances.

Best Online Dating Sites For 40 Year Olds

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Some Tips on How to Find a Date at 40

Before starting your search outside, do one inside. Answer the following blocks of questions.

• What are my hopes? Decide whether you seek sexual or romantic relationships.
• Who am I looking for? What do I expect my perfect match to be? What hobbies might they have? Answers will give you a clue on where to go.
• How could I attract such a person? What traits should I develop? Is there something to be changed? Then you will understand how to conform to your expected partner.

And now let’s mull over some best place to meet 40 year old woman and men.

Qualities People Over 40 Appreciate

The third block of questions mentioned above is about traits a person should have to find a partner he or she wants. It is important to know when you should seek like-minded singles.

What Men in Their 40s Want

At this age, men tend to look deeper than young gentlemen. It means a great ass is less important than intelligence and reliability. Middle-aged males want to have long-term relationships, and they need a woman to be trusted and to get over obstacles together.

What Women over 40 Like in Men

Just like men, single middle-aged ladies want durable and safe relationships with a reliable and mature partner. But they still appreciate romance – flowers, cute gifts, candlelight dinner. These lovely gestures bring warmth to the relationships.

Best Ways to Meet Singles Over 40

If you are a bit shy, loath to change, or just not sure about your true desires, have a look at your closest surroundings. It often happens that a person gives up their current life, moves to another country, changes the occupation field, and then it is a classmate or a lost childhood friend who becomes their significant other. Professional dating advisors recommend having a different look at the following options.

Your Friend’s Friends

Some people think that having relationships with your mate’s acquaintances is a straight way to destroy the friendship. But that’s a teenager’s point of view. 40+ singles are mainly interested in mature, serious relationships that would meet their expectations and requirements. Who knows you better than your friend? He or she may introduce you to a good reliable person who shares your interests (and friends! which means a lot).

Visit your friends’ BBQ parties, join them in some new activities. Do not reject their proposals to go on a double date with their partner’s best friend. It works, though it may seem too unrealistic.

Your Workplace

A workplace romance has a far more bad reputation than dating one’s friend’s friend. But you spend a great amount of time at work, getting to meet people who have the same professional qualities and fields of interests. It is worth looking closely at the male colleagues, making contacts, and telling people that you do not mind starting relationships. You will not have to leave your comfort zone, think of a new activity, etc. Just be yourself and give a chance to your surroundings.

Online Dating Sites

Though adults do not trust internet dating, this way of finding a partner often works excellent. There are plenty of apps for meeting singles over 40. Here are some of the best platforms.

OurTime

OurTime is part of the Match.com group of dating sites and is specifically focused on singles over 40. It’s a number 1 single over 40 dating site according to users’ reviews.

eHarmony

It attracts singles who are serious about meeting someone for a long-term relationship. Ladies, this app makes it easier to find a husband after 40.

Bumble

This app has a peculiarity: only females can write a message to men after their mutual likes. No time for being shy!

Where to Meet Women over 40

Karaoke Bar

Women love karaoke, and it is a brilliant way to spend time with friends drinking, singing, and partying. The key point for men is not to be afraid of rejection. Come up, ask the lady which songs she likes, suggest singing together. Karaoke bars have a low-pressure, friendly environment, so everybody there is eager to meet new people.

Kids-Involving Events

The older a female becomes, the more she is keen to spend time with children. So, the best place to meet a 40-year-old woman can be a ballet show at a local kids club, summer camps, non-school studying events, and so on. The great thing about such events is that they’re relaxed and unassuming. The focus is placed on the event, not on meeting someone.

Concerts

When looking for women over 40, it is worth visiting a concert. It may be a classical music concert, a show dedicated to some holiday, or a theatre performance.

Salsa Lessons

A lot of people think that the best place to meet a 40-year-old woman is a dance studio. Many single ladies 40 to 50 attend salsa classes because of three reasons:

• It is beneficial for health;
• A great opportunity to socialize;
• Salsa is not salsa without a male partner.

Single men should take into account those points. Even if you do not manage to find a match at salsa lessons, at least you move your body and entertain.

Charity Organizations

The next recommendation on how to meet women over 40 is to do charity. Middle-aged women usually want to spend their time usefully. Taking part in charity campaigns is the best way to do that. These campaigns include organizing celebrations for the elderly at nursing homes, fundraising, collecting garbage in a local park. It is not only a romantic affair you should look for but true participation. Involvement in charity organizations helps make new contacts with a lot of people.

Where to Meet Single Men Over 40

Soccer Games

Almost every man in this universe is fond of sport, and soccer is one of the most popular. Male fans will adore your excitement for the game. Discussing the hottest moments of the match is a great beginning for relationships.

Group Biking

Single females over 40 also could try group biking. Team sports unite, strengthen, and reveal a person’s hidden traits when some difficulties occur. Athletic, hardy, brave men – isn’t it a dream? Ladies, do not worry about looking not as beautiful as you usually do. Ponytail, sweat, and hard breathing are not repulsive for sportsmen.

Meetup Groups

Women over 40 looking for men should pop in meetup groups for singles. One of the biggest benefits of such over 40 singles events is that everybody came there to find a partner. What you need to do is to be opened so that others know what exactly you are looking for.

Where To Meet Men Over 50

It takes little effort to find a meetup group, thanks to the Meetup online platform. You just type what interests you or a keyword into the search bar and choose the most appealing meeting. The meetings can be held online and offline. You can organize your groups for singles over 40 to increase your chances, too.

Art Festivals

Music festivals and art exhibitions belong to the list of the best places to meet men over 40. There is no need to visit Louvre; it is enough to go to your local art museum and make some acquaintances with citizens.

Attend a Lecture

Nowadays, professional coaches organize a huge amount of fascinating lectures. Speakers touch upon various topics, and you can meet many interesting people there. A lecture might give you a stimulus to develop in some new field, too. That will bring new (including single) people into your life.

Health Resort

How to meet a man after 40 if I want to do nothing? There is only one way – going to a health resort. These places are extremely popular among middle-aged people, and many of them go there not to improve their health but to have an affair or find love. A relaxed and romantic atmosphere helps start relationships.

If Nothing Works, Go Abroad

Many couples of 40s singles dating advice to go abroad and meet people there. Everybody gets interested in a foreigner because people enjoy meeting new beautiful cultures. Traveling abroad is an amazing opportunity to broaden your horizons and find love.

Last Words

Dating in middle age is hard but not impossible. There are many things to do when you’re 40 and single – traveling, doing sports, starting a new hobby. We gave you a list of the best places to meet your peers. Now, ladies and gentlemen, go there and make new contacts so that nobody calls you ‘single over 40’ ever again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do I Always Have Problems With Dating Singles Over 40?

• You have too high expectations for your partner and demand impossible things.
• You never concede. This regards especially middle-aged people, who have a certain mindset and do not want to change.
• You try to look perfect, and when the truth about you is revealed, you become a completely different person in the partners’ eyes. Illusions and masks cannot be a basement for healthy relationships.

Black Singles Meet Over 50

Does the Fact That I Have Kids Scare Singles Away from Me?

Singles Near Me Over 50

It does not. Single women over 40 clearly understand that a man of this age has got children. Moreover, if a woman does not care about kids from your previous relationships, it is a sign that she doesn’t take you seriously.

Top Places To Meet Singles Over 50 See Photos

What if I Stay Single Forever?

It is normal to be single for the rest of your life if you feel happy and comfortable. People say it is better to remain single and enjoy your life than to live with someone who makes you feel lonely and unhappy. But make sure you do it not for fear or insecurity. If so, it is worth visiting a professional psychologist.