At Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe in St. Petersburg, singles came together on Dec. 14, 2024, swapping app swipes for real-life connections. The Pitch-A-Friend event gave each single a green wristband as they chatted with possible matches.  What began as a small Philadelphia idea has now spread to 30 cities across the country. Tampa Bay organizers want to boost the local dating scene with more meetups.

New stats show people are getting tired of dating apps. Almost 80% of young adults say they’re burned out from online dating platforms, making old-school meetups popular again.

The evening has two main parts. Presentations happen first, then there’s an hour of free-form socializing. Anyone can come to watch, but speaking spots are limited. Wannabe matchmakers need to sign up online for a shot at presenting. Friends play the main role at these events, showing off their single friends through quick talks and pictures. The evening features 7 to 12 presentations, with breaks for mixing in between. More than 80 people showed up to the first Tampa Bay event.

“The apps are a dark place. It’s rough out here if you’re single,” said Liz Price, who was at the most recent St. Pete event.

This new spin on dating banks on traditional introductions. Instead of relying on computer matches, singles trust their friends’ gut feelings to create real connections. Around Tampa Bay, local bars team up to host these matchmaking events. The laid-back vibe helps people feel more comfortable.