Not a date
Tired of swiping? Go where nobody is on a date: language cafés, game nights, walks, workshops and talks. 1657 upcoming events in 352 cities, picked so that you can arrive alone.
By city
Helsinki (120) · Toronto (113) · Paris (85) · Chicago (68) · Barcelona (69) · Madrid (46) · Espoo (49) · Geneva (37) · Vitoria-Gasteiz (42) · Linz (35) · Rouen (38) · Bilbao (26) · Berlin (7) · Nantes (29) · Lisbon (24) · Rennes (27) · Toulouse (20) · Bordeaux (21) · Lyon (11) · San Sebastián (21) · Vantaa (21) · Lille (16) · Taipei (21) · Pamplona (15) · Bologna (18) · New York (12) · Kaohsiung (15) · Taichung (14) · Zaragoza (14) · Zarautz (14) · Brive-la-Gaillarde (12) · Roubaix (12) · New Taipei (11) · Arrasate-Mondragón (10) · Draguignan (10) · Marseille (6) · Bad Schallerbach (9) · Foix (8) · Pacé (8) · Tainan (8)
Picks
Six free events, soonest first, from different cities and categories.
A relaxed cooking session for adults: together the group prepares a full vegetarian meal, from starter to dessert, then eats it. No cooking experience needed. Free; the first 12 people to arrive can take part.
A free evening talk on Caravaggio, the painter of light and shadow who changed modern painting, from the cycle “The splendour of the Baroque”. For adults; stay afterwards and chat about art.
A monthly poetry gathering in a bookshop near Príncipe Real, held under the waxing moon: poets, readers and artists from other fields mixing with the spoken word. This edition marks the cycle's first anniversary with a sound installation by the musician Noiserv in the garden, carrying recorded voices of poets from the past year.
Francesco Milone (sax) and Sergio Mariotti (double bass) pay tribute to the legendary jazz bassist Ray Brown with originals and standards — just two instruments, improvisation and swing. Free, at an 18th-century theatre.
Explore the gardens' collection of threatened and endangered Australian plants: why they are at risk and what is being done to protect them. Free; booking required. Meet at the Information Kiosk.
The first “Mostra d'Oficis del Coll”: artisans, artists, local shops and training centres show how things are made — watch, ask questions and try things yourself. Open to all ages, free.
How to go alone
Alternatives to dating apps
A neutral comparison of five ways to meet people through shared activities. None needs a profile.
| Format | Why conversation starts | Works well if you | Typical cost | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinners with strangers | A shared table and a host who seats you | Like longer one-to-one conversation | The price of a meal | One evening, often booked ahead |
| Run clubs | You move at the same pace and talk on the move | Prefer doing something active to small talk | Often free or low cost | Weekly; talking is optional |
| Language cafés | Everyone is practising, so starting a chat is expected | Want a ready-made reason to talk | Free or the cost of a coffee | Drop-in |
| Game nights | The game provides the topic and something to do | Enjoy light competition or puzzles | Free or a small table fee | Drop-in, two to three hours |
| Volunteering | A shared task and a team | Want to meet people with similar values | Free | Regular shifts matter more than one visit |
Join a hosted group activity where the activity does the introducing: a language café, a game night, a guided walk, a class or a volunteering shift. Nobody is on a date and nobody needs a profile.
No. Many of the formats we list are designed for people who arrive alone, and hosts expect newcomers. Tell the host you are new and they will usually introduce you.
These are not dating events and we make no promises about romance. People mostly make friends and acquaintances; anything more happens naturally.
Yes. 1256 of the 1657 upcoming events in our listings are free, and many hosted formats such as language cafés and library programmes cost nothing.
Choose a format with a task, such as a game, a class or a walk, and commit to one hour. In Meet & Mint you can see who is going and chat with the group before you arrive.
How it works
Meet & Mint
Meet & Mint shows events and people near you on one map. Join an event alone, chat with the group, meet at the event. Free on iPhone and Android.