After several years of dating apps dominating the scene, a reverse trend has emerged: more and more singles are signing up for in-person events, from speed dating to cooking classes and hiking trips. According to a study by Eventbrite, the number of organised in-person dates increased by 35% in 2025 compared to the previous year, and in major cities such as New York and London, the number of such events doubled.
Why people want to meet in person again
There are several reasons. Firstly, there is screen fatigue: people want to see eye contact, smiles and gestures — everything that cannot be conveyed through a screen. After the pandemic, many realised that virtual communication is no substitute for physical presence. Secondly, in-person meetings provide a more honest first impression: you can immediately see how a person interacts with others, how they look in motion and what they smell like. Thirdly, these events often have a common theme, such as board games or wine tastings, which eliminates the need to think of conversation topics and creates a natural environment for interaction.
Ann Henry, an organiser of speed-dating events in London, notes: ‘People are tired of endless scrolling. When you’re sitting across from someone and you have exactly five minutes, you’re forced to be as genuine as possible. That’s both intimidating and appealing. In a single evening, you can meet 10–15 people, and that’s much more effective than a week of messaging on an app”. In addition, in-person events provide a sense of security: you’re part of a group, the organisers are there to keep things in order, and you can rely on your first impressions rather than edited photos.
Advantages and disadvantages of speed dating
Speed dating and its equivalents have both strengths and weaknesses. To make it clearer, here are the key points:
Pros:
- Structure and clear timing – you know exactly how much time you have with each person.
- Safety: you’re in a group, the organisers keep things in order and there’s no risk of being left alone with a stranger.
- Efficiency: in a single evening, you can meet 10–15 potential matches, which is comparable to weeks of messaging on dating apps.
- Honesty: with limited time, people are less likely to put on a façade and reveal their true selves more quickly.
Cons:
- The strict time limit (usually 3–5 minutes) doesn’t allow you to delve deeper into conversation or understand shared values.
- The ‘interview’ format can be stressful and feel unnatural, especially for shy people.
- Decisions are often based on superficial traits such as appearance, speaking style or the first thing someone says, rather than the depth of their personality.
- Such events are not hosted in all cities, and even when they are, they may require a fee and advance registration.
Themed parties have emerged as a more relaxed alternative, where people get to know each other naturally while dancing, playing games or discussing films. Such events are popular in major cities and are often organised through social media. They attract people who want to meet others in real life, but who aren’t quite ready for a formal ‘blind date’. In London, for example, ‘singles’ book clubs’, where participants discuss books while getting to know each other, and ‘hiking dates’, where couples go on a hike and get to know each other much better than they would over dinner, are gaining popularity.
However, offline formats aren’t always available, especially in smaller cities, and they require time and money. Furthermore, the awkwardness of that first encounter doesn’t disappear, even when there are lots of people around. This is why many people take a hybrid approach: they meet online first, then arrange to meet in person after connecting via video call.
Joingy Random Video Chat as a Bridge Between Online and Offline
A video chat service like Joingy is the ideal transitional step between messaging and a face-to-face meeting. It provides a sense of presence and allows you to read body language and tone of voice while keeping you in the safe environment of your own home. This significantly reduces the anxiety associated with a first date and helps you weed out those with whom it’s clearly not going to work out in person. You can enjoy a “video date” over a cup of coffee without leaving your apartment, and if there’s no chemistry, you haven’t wasted money or time travelling.
Random video chat platforms, such as Joingy, offer a unique opportunity to practise spontaneous conversation without any obligations. You can chat with different people several times in one evening — it’s like speed dating, but without geographical limitations.
For those who prefer more options, there are platforms with more advanced settings. For example, this Joingy alternative not only offers random video chats, but also the ability to view stories or send a gift.
This kind of experience helps you develop the skill of quickly establishing a connection, which will also be useful at offline events. You learn to quickly find common ground, maintain eye contact and control your voice — all indispensable skills for face-to-face communication.
Moreover, Joingy alternative platforms can serve as a full-fledged alternative to an in-person meeting if the distance is too great. You can watch a film together via streaming, play online games or simply take a virtual tour of each other’s cities. This creates the illusion of spending time together and lets you gauge how comfortable you are with each other in a dynamic setting. If you decide to meet in person afterwards, you will already have a shared experience to look back on.
Bottom line: a hybrid approach is the best strategy
Don’t feel like you have to choose between online and offline — the winner is whoever knows how to combine the two. Use dating apps to make the initial connection, but don’t spend too long messaging.
Move on to a video call to “test the chemistry”, and then arrange an in-person meeting, whether that’s a walk in the park or taking a workshop together. This approach saves time, reduces the risk of disappointment and still allows you to experience the full depth of face-to-face interaction.
The main thing to remember is that technology is just a tool. The most vivid emotions arise from face-to-face interaction, such as hearing laughter, seeing a blush and feeling the warmth of someone’s hand. If video chat helps to bridge the distance and dispel doubts, it deserves a place in your toolkit. Use it as a stepping stone to real-life meetings, not as the end goal. Why not try joining a random video chat today and chatting with a stranger? You could then apply that experience to a real-life date tomorrow.
Abdul Qadeer is highly experienced in creating engaging content that adds real value to a blog, website, or brand. He is creating content for multiple niches like technology, SEO, Marketing, Health, Education and Career Development, etc.