Spring has arrived, the month of love has begun: 10 original ways to meet new people without using dating apps

Spring has arrived and, with the warmer weather, outdoor plans are back, along with outings and the desire to spend more time outside. For those who are single, it can be a good excuse to meet new people and, perhaps, someone special.

In Buenos Aires, there are more and more options, and not all of them involve dating apps. Bars, dance classes, running groups, language meetups, or dinners with strangers are some of the spaces where it is possible to meet someone face to face.

This preference for in-person encounters is emerging in a context of growing exhaustion with apps. A study published in 2026 in the journal Springer Nature analyzed what is known as dating app fatigue and found that information and technology overload can become a "demanding and emotionally draining experience."

In this context, meeting someone away from a screen is once again becoming an option for many single people.

10 places to find a partner in Buenos Aires

Below are 10 places and plans for meeting people face to face this spring, with options for different tastes and age groups.

1. Singles events

These gatherings take place at various bars around the city—according to the organizers—and aim to replace the "match" with a face-to-face conversation.

For the Plot and Gente Equis, for example, organize monthly events aimed primarily at people between 25 and 35 years old at different bars. Attendees receive cards with prompts to break the ice and encourage them to talk to strangers.

Cupido Social Club, on the other hand, organizes a kind of after-work event designed for people between 40 and 60 years old. The concept combines wine, tapas, and various dynamics to facilitate conversation.

Another alternative is the fono bar, located at Jobs bar in Núñez. The distinctive feature is that the tables have landline phones from which you can call other tables—a kind of analog icebreaker for starting a conversation with someone who caught your eye.

2. Sports groups

Sports can also be an excuse to meet people. In Buenos Aires, there are a growing number of groups that, beyond training, aim to build a community.

For those who prefer running, there are options such as SQUAD Social Run Club, Midnight Runners, and Puesta Punto, which offer group outings and activities that often continue with breakfasts, after-parties, or meetups outside of training.

Match Point, meanwhile, organizes a monthly "Tinder Pádel" event that aims to combine matches, games, and a social third half to mingle. Participants—ranging from 25 to 70 years old—wear wristbands whose color indicates whether they are open to finding love or simply looking to meet new people.

And for those who prefer something different, there is Tinder Bike, organized by Bicipiantes and aimed at people between 40 and 55 years old. The meetups begin with icebreaker games and continue with a group bike ride. There is even a kind of speed dating on wheels: when a whistle blows, participants switch partners to chat with someone new.

3. Dance classes

Dancing is another way to meet people. There is no need to come with a partner, as most classes are designed so that participants rotate and dance with different people throughout the evening.

In Buenos Aires, tango offers several options. La Viruta combines classes and milonga; Lo de Celia is another classic venue, and there are also outdoor gatherings, such as those held at the glorieta de Barrancas de Belgrano.

For those who prefer Latin rhythms, La Salsera offers salsa and bachata classes. There are also parties and gatherings dedicated to these rhythms at various points throughout the city, many with beginner classes before the dancing begins.

4. Language exchanges

Practicing a language can also be a good excuse to expand your social circle. In the capital, there are gatherings that bring together Argentines and foreigners in bars, with the aim of conversing, practicing, and spending time with new people.

One of the best-known options is Mundo Lingo, which organizes free meetups from Tuesday to Saturday at different bars and restaurants. Upon arrival, each participant receives flag stickers representing the languages they speak and places them on their clothing, which serve as an icebreaker for approaching others.

Other options include Mate Club de Conversación and Spanglish, which bring together Argentines, travelers, and foreigners to practice mainly English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The gatherings include activities designed to rotate and converse with different people.

5. Board games and game libraries

For those who don't enjoy dancing or sports, board games can also serve as an excuse to socialize. In Buenos Aires, there are bars and game libraries where you can go to play, join a table, and spend time with new people.

One option is Conexión Berlín, which has locations in Recoleta and Olivos and a collection of more than 1,500 games. In addition to going with friends, they organize gatherings, tournaments, and various activities centered around board games.

Another alternative is Board Game House, in Villa Crespo, with games to choose from and offerings for both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers. For those going alone, a good option is to look for open tables, tournaments, or special events.

6. Speed dating

A different option is speed dating. The format is simple: each participant has seven minutes to chat with another person, and when the time is up, they move to the next table. This continues until the round is complete.

One such offering is Somos Gancho, which organizes events for different age groups ranging from 25 to 70 years old. At the end of the evening, each participant chooses who they would like to keep talking to. If the interest is mutual, the organizers put them in contact.

There is also Eventeando, which hosts so-called Tinder Nights at various bars throughout the city. Participants rotate between tables and have between five and seven minutes to get to know each other. Events are held separately by age group.

7. Karaoke bars

Bars remain a classic way to go out and meet people, and those with karaoke add an extra incentive to mingle with other tables, using music as an icebreaker.

In Buenos Aires, there are several options. Kronopios (Av. Elcano 3640) hosts karaoke and cantobar nights; Kenis (Salta 524) is another classic; and Chela (Honduras 5309) also organizes karaoke nights that can be solo or group performances.

8. Book clubs and cultural workshops

Book clubs and workshops are ideal spaces for meeting people with shared interests. The advantage is that there is no need to think too hard about how to start a conversation: the book, the film, or the activity itself provides a ready-made topic.

In Buenos Aires, various bookstores and cultural spaces organize events throughout the year. Eterna Cadencia, in Palermo, hosts clubs and activities related to literature, while Caburé Libros, in San Telmo, also organizes workshops, book launches and cultural gatherings.

In addition, writing workshops, film discussions, reading cycles and other activities take place at the Centro Cultural Recoleta and the Casa de la Lectura - Biblioteca Julio Cortázar.

9. Wine tastings

For those who enjoy wine, tastings, wine flights and clubs can be an opportunity to meet people with a shared interest.

One option is Club BonVivir, which in addition to its wine offerings organizes tastings and in-person gatherings for its members. On September 24, for example, it will hold a new edition of BonVivir Wine Experience at the Palermo Hippodrome, featuring 40 wineries and more than 200 labels to sample.

Another option is CATAS (Bonpland 2214, Palermo), a venue that organizes guided tastings to explore different grape varieties and regions. Spots are generally limited and advance reservations are required.

10. Dinners with strangers

Sitting down to dinner with strangers has also become a way to expand one's social circle. The concept is simple: sign up, arrive at the restaurant, and discover on the spot who you'll be sharing the evening with.

One initiative operating in Buenos Aires is Timeleft, which organizes weekly dinners at various restaurants. To participate, attendees must first complete a questionnaire, and based on their answers, the platform forms groups of strangers taking into account various aspects of their profiles.

Other options include Casa Dom Cucina, in Tigre, and Juntada Vip, which organizes dinners for singles who don't know each other and even combines them with astrologists, sexologists and artistic activities.

See also

Clarín Newsletter