Single in Dayton, OH? 9 Places and Apps to Find a Date
Some Marvel superheroes come from exotic lands, rich utopias, or mythical planets, while others rise from humble beginnings to greatness. Take Dr. Bruce Banner, who was born in Dayton, Ohio: he grew up a quiet, unassuming nerd before hulking out as a mean green superhero.
At its heart, the Hulk’s story is about accepting himself. Before he could grow into the best hero he was capable of being, Dr. Banner had to make peace with his emotions, his mistakes, and his past.
Dr. Banner may be fictional, but plenty of real Dayton natives see themselves in his ambitions and struggles. Everyone faces challenges in life, but no one has to face them all alone. With the dating resources below, singles can reach out to people in Dayton, form close bonds, and get past their insecurities.
Dayton Dating Sites
Online dating has become more popular over the past several years, and its huge network can serve anyone after a deep connection. By dating experts’ estimates, roughly 41% of online singles have turned to dating sites or apps in hopes of finding someone special. Sign up for one of the sites below to join this flirty virtual crowd.
Best Singles Site
Match has been bringing singles together since 1995, so it has matchmaking pretty well figured out. The site focuses on finding members who say they want the same things out of life, then gauging how compatible they’d be over the long term.
- Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
- Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
- Our Experts Say: “Match pairs a large dating pool with search filters specific enough to make that size useful rather than overwhelming.” Our Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles | 49%51% | 14.6 Million | Try Match FREE |
Over 50 & Senior Sites
The general dating scene can intimidate singles over 50, which is why a niche option such as OurTime can be a refreshing change of pace. OurTime brings together seniors seeking a companion with similar life experiences. This supportive, beginner-friendly site proves you’re never too old to go on a date and fall head over heels.
- Relationships: Dates and Relationships
- Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more
- Our Experts Say: “OurTime makes dating after 50 feel simple, with senior-friendly search tools and an easy-to-use layout.” Our Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mature Singles (50+) | 48%52% | 8.9 Million | Over 50? Try It FREE |
For Black Men & Women Only
Roughly 42.9% of people in Dayton identify as African-American, making them the city’s biggest racial minority. BlackPeopleMeet is a dating site devoted to giving black and biracial singles a space where they’re the majority. This niche platform hosts thousands of diverse dating profiles across the U.S. and Canada.
- Relationships: Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
- Match System: Search by location, age, more
- Our Experts Say: “BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month.” Our Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Singles | 47%53% | 5.7 Million | FREE Trial for New Users |
Hookup & Sex Site
On Adult Friend Finder, a fast-moving hookup site, you can act on your desires. The global platform serves passionate, flirty singles and swingers who want some action and aren’t after a big commitment. Since launching in 1996, Adult Friend Finder has sparked over 5 million online connections, and many of them turned into steamy encounters.
- Relationships: Hookups Only
- Match System: Search by location, interest, more
- Our Experts Say: “Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about finding hookups and casual encounters. No adult site has a larger or more active user base of those seeking discreet fun.” Our Review »
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| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | Today’s Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles | 65%35% | 25.5 Million | 3 Months @ $19.95/Mo |
Popular Dating Apps
More than 803,000 people live in Greater Dayton, and whittling such a big dating pool down to the most viable candidates can be tough. Some singles don’t even know what they want, so dating site search tools might not help them much. Luckily, dating apps let singles swipe through available, compatible singles until a good match comes along. The apps below make getting to know local singles quick, simple, and fun.
- Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
- Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
- About the App: Match is built for browsing rather than swiping. You can search by location, age, and interest, then take your time reading profiles before reaching out. The app is free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
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OurTime
- Relationships: Dating and Relationships
- Match System: Search by age as well as zip, gender, more
- About the App: Made just for single seniors, OurTime is one of the most well-known niche dating apps. It’s a fun and straightforward app with simple swiping features. Once two people swipe right on each other, they can communicate. For more match options, visit the ConnectMe and I’m Interested pages.
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eharmony
- Relationships: Long-Term Relationships, Marriages
- Match System: Get daily match suggestions
- About the App: Responsible for 4% of marriages in the U.S., eharmony is among our top picks for relationship-minded heterosexual singles. To become a member, add the app to your phone (iOS or Android) and then take its 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility Matching Quiz. It’s absolutely free to do both these things — as well as receive matches and communicate during other special events.
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Dayton Singles Bars
Online dating may be all the rage now, but some active daters still like meeting people the old-school way. Talking face-to-face lets singles build chemistry faster than they can online. And if you meet your dates face-to-face at a bar, catfishing and ghosting probably won’t be a concern. We’ve ranked Dayton’s best singles-friendly bars to help you transform a boring night into a romantic adventure downtown.
The Century Bar
Bourbon is the whole point at The Century Bar. Besides a long list of whiskeys and bourbons (100+ in all), the decor itself honors the perfect bourbon drink: the wooden tables started life as Four Roses bourbon barrels, and the copper bar top is meant to evoke the stills used to make bourbon. The well-versed bartenders love bourbon and can field nearly any question, however obscure. The Century Bar serves until 2:30 a.m. each night, so drop by whenever you feel like slowing down with a flavorful drink.
The Dublin Pub
The Dublin Pub first opened its doors in 1998, inviting diners to soak up some Irish spirit. The authentic pub serves tasty gastropub food with a sense of humor, from all the classics to fun, creative dishes like whiskey-infused pork chops and the much-loved Irish cheese fries. Through the years, celebrities such as Sheryl Crow, George Takei, and Quentin Tarantino have eaten and performed at The Dublin Pub. Whether you come for a live show or Sunday brunch, The Dublin Pub can be counted on to make it memorable.
Airway Billiards Bar & Grill
Love shooting pool? You'll be right at home at Airway Billiards Bar & Grill. It's filled with billiards tables in both 8-foot and 9-foot sizes and runs three tournaments a week. Regulars often drop by to take each other on and put their skills to the test in a game they adore. Thanks to the relaxed, friendly vibe, it's easy to walk up to someone new and start chatting. Airway also has a kitchen serving classic food to keep players fueled, plus a bar that’s fully stocked.
Tank's Bar & Grill
Tank's Bar & Grill opened in 1987, and downtown Dayton still can't get enough of it. Locals rave about the friendly service, the relaxed vibe, and the rich comfort food. Plenty of the entrées are big enough to split with a date and still take leftovers home. With everything from fried cheese to baked taters, the menu isn't exactly health food, but it's very satisfying. When you're in the mood to splurge at breakfast, lunch, or dinner, grab a seat at Tank's Bar.
Proto BuildBar
Proto BuildBar is a one-of-a-kind, tech-savvy hangout where you can sip a coffee or place an order for 3D printing. It's part café, part creative workspace, and part printing lab, with the motto "Drink, eat, paint, make." The hands-on spot draws designers and artists who like to work and play in a dynamic setting, and Proto hosts adult classes and social events that spark new ideas in the creative community. "What an awesome idea and stellar execution," Melanie S. wrote on Yelp. "Great vibe and cool setup." Every time you settle in to work at Proto BuildBar, you'll find someone to drink and collaborate with.
Slyder's Tavern
Since 1948, Dayton locals have loved Slyder's Tavern as a laid-back place to hang out. The old-school bar pours draft beer that'll whet your whistle and offers daily food specials that'll keep you coming back. Slyder's burger is reputed to be among Belmont's best, and the hot wings aren't bad either. If you want a hearty meal and good conversation, you've found your place. Newcomers feel right at home in its down-to-earth atmosphere.
Dayton Speed Dating
At times, dating can start to feel like a part-time gig. The typical millennial puts about 10 hours a week into dating apps and may still come away without a girlfriend or boyfriend in the end. To speed things along, we suggest tracking down one of Dayton’s speed dating events. These lively, fast-moving events let singles meet dozens of people in one go and gauge mutual interest over five-minute chats.
Dayton Singles Events
A singles event lets you have fun socializing in a room packed with attractive, available people. It’s a great chance for singles in the area to shed their shyness and form common bonds. Plenty of singles events center on an activity or theme, giving attendees a built-in way to break the ice. Search Meetup.com for the keyword “singles” to find groups planning game nights, brunches, parties, outings, and other fun get-togethers.
Dayton Singles Clubs
For singles who hope to end the night in someone’s arms, a dance club is the ideal place to date. You can truly cut loose on the dance floor and win admirers with your killer moves. On Friday and Saturday nights, lots of 20-somethings pack the club, and getting swept up in the excitement is almost unavoidable. A varied playlist keeps everybody flirting, laughing, and energized as they dance toward romance.
Dayton Chat Rooms
Chat rooms have existed nearly as long as the internet itself, and they’re still popular because so many people simply love to talk. These online forums connect singles and offer a safe, comfortable place to explore their feelings. Most chat rooms cost nothing and let users skip their real names, which makes it simple to hop in and find out where the talk goes. If you want an anonymous place to practice flirting, any of these chat rooms is a solid pick.
Dayton Personals
Dating personals sites let singles follow their gut and reach out to whomever they like. There are no search filters or matchmaking tools to muddy things. In their personals ads, singles simply describe themselves and their wishes, then wait for the messages to arrive. Anyone is free to send one, so nothing stands in the way of two people forming a new connection.
Attend a Large Community Festival
Dayton is a cultural center in western Ohio, hosting dozens of concerts, food truck rallies, arts festivals, and other public events each year. These well-attended gatherings give singles who want to meet new people some terrific opportunities.
Check Dayton’s festival calendar to find out what’s happening around town; it lists everything from wine tastings to 5k runs. Any of these events lets singles have a good time while mixing with locals who have interests like theirs.
Every June, Dayton holds its LGBT Pride Festival.
Bursting with fun and personality, the Dayton LGBT Pride Festival brings out people of every orientation for a colorful celebration of pride.
Dayton’s seventh annual Bacon Fest also arrives in August 2019. The free event features games, live music, and every bacon-topped or bacon-flavored treat you could want.
Come Into Your Own & Find a Date in Ohio's "Gem City"
Life throws curve balls when you least expect them. Nerd, hulk, or something in between, you’ll likely run into setbacks and obstacles on the way to your goals. Maybe it’s a breakup, maybe a big move, or maybe you’re getting in your own way. Whatever the challenge, getting past it often takes real strength of character.
With the resources listed here, Dayton singles can begin expanding their social networks and growing into the best versions of themselves.
As the Hulk says in “Marvel Knights Hulk 1 #2, “I know what we are. I know what lies within us. I know what we once were. I know what we must become.”
About the Author
By: Emma Wilson
Editor-in-Chief
Emma Wilson is the Editor-in-Chief at thecandiddate.com. When she was growing up, her family teased her for being 'boy crazy,' but she preferred to think of herself as a budding dating and relationship expert. Emma brings her tireless wit and relatable experiences to thecandiddate.com.
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