Single in Joliet, IL? 9 Places and Apps to Find a Date
Almost everyone knows about Verona's Romeo and Juliet and their doomed romance, but fewer people have heard the tale of Illinois' own Romeo and Juliet. The two neighboring cities were a charming pair in the 1830s, but sadly, their bond wasn't meant to last.
In 1845, city planners in Juliet chose to rename it in honor of Louis Joliet, an explorer from French Canada who, in the 1600s, traveled up the Mississippi River and charted the riverfront of Illinois. That's how Juliet became Joliet. Left without its other half, Romeo couldn't carry on, and its officials voted to rename it Romeoville.
Call it what you like: Joliet has long attracted romantic, adventurous, creative people (Melissa McCarthy among them), and its dating scene moves fast as a result. If you're searching for a Romeoville to match your Joliet, try these nine ways of making new acquaintances.
Joliet Dating Sites
A well-known dating site can bring a whole city of singles within reach and give you a shot at connecting with someone special. In Joliet, singles can turn to the online dating scene to form relationships and close friendships with people who have similar backgrounds, interests, and lifestyles. To help you start off on the right foot, we've chosen some dating sites we love.
Best Singles Site
Match holds an unmatched spot in online dating, since few dating sites have been running as long. Since 1995, the global platform has earned its place as a top choice for serious daters. Its matching algorithm, built around personality, lives up to the expectations of singles seeking compatible partners.
- 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
OurTime helps senior singles return to the dating game and get a second shot at love. Singles over 50 can struggle to get noticed on mainstream dating sites. On OurTime, though, members share similar maturity levels, life experiences, and relationship goals. Signing up is free, and so is sending flirts to anyone who catches your eye.
- 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
Around 17% of people in Joliet identify as African-American, which is fairly diverse for a Midwestern town. Even so, singles of color can sometimes be easier to find on a black dating site such as BlackPeopleMeet. Run by People Media, this niche site offers a nationwide network of singles who are black or biracial and want romance, friendship, and relationships.
- 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 the hookup site Adult Friend Finder (AFF), sexy singles and swingers can mingle without restrictions. Its video broadcasts and chat rooms make for a stimulating space for adults over 18. According to AFF, its network holds more than 95 million profiles from sexually active people around the world.
- 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
Ours is an age of huge convenience and connectivity, yet technology can only do so much. Dating apps can put you in touch with singles nearby, but they can't drop a date off at your door. The chatting and wooing it takes to land that date are up to you. Still, dating apps let singles work the dating scene from their phones, which improves the odds of a terrific match.
- 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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Joliet Singles Bars
Online dating is all the rage these days, yet a chance encounter at a bar has a magic it can't always match. Downtown Joliet has a solid selection of bars, and lots of singles head out on Friday and Saturday nights in search of romance. A bar's laid-back, flirty vibe can help active daters relax as they chat and scout for promising date prospects in Joliet.
Double "J" Sports Bar Inc
A bar with slot machines and video games reliably pulls in a young, competitive crowd. The Double "J" Sports Bar Inc has entertainment galore, and the service is so friendly it's downright legendary. Plenty of people stop by for dinner, drinks, or a fast game of darts, and the bar even has live music out on its beer garden patio. The Double J definitely fits the bill if you want a casual hangout.
Chicago St. Pub
The Chicago St. Pub bills itself as the city's premier Irish pub and live music destination. Its entertainment lineup is full of talent, and the lively shows go into the wee hours. More than 3,550 Patch readers named Chicago St. Pub their favorite spot for drinks with friends, family, or dates. The menu covers burgers, breads, salads, soups, and classic Irish dishes. Share a plate of tater tots, corn dogs, or steak fries with someone special here.
On The Rocks Joliet
On The Rocks Joliet is all about gaming and spirits. Behind this sleek bar are dozens of kinds of liquor, and last call comes at around 1 a.m. Some people might write it off as a dive bar, but there's a lot more to it. Sip a craft cocktail while you try your luck at the slots, or come for trivia nights, bingo nights, or holiday parties. On weekends, DJs and bands come in to get everyone pumped up.
Juliet's Tavern
Juliet's Tavern is known for Italian comfort food and a great drink selection. The restaurant has a roomy bar with open seating, so you can order spaghetti for dinner and chat people up at this casual spot. Diners keep returning for the cheesy pizzas, and everyone feels at home thanks to the family-friendly vibe. If seedy bars and clubs have worn you out, Juliet's Tavern offers a welcome change of pace.
Jameson's Pub
Jameson's Pub is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get sports bar, traditional and tried-and-true. The second you walk in, 30 high-def TV screens surround you, all tuned to ESPN's biggest games. Some regulars say Jameson's reminds them of the fictional bar from “Cheers” because everybody gets along, and strangers often end up laughing together over nachos or a round of drinks. In the words of the owners of Jameson's Pub, “Come for the food, stay for the fun!”
Joliet Speed Dating
Want to speed up the dating process? Then speed dating might be for you. These fun events gather dozens of singles and pair them up for mini-dates so they can find common ground and build chemistry. It's an easy, one-of-a-kind way to make new acquaintances. Since speed dating events don't happen all the time, jump on them when they show up on the calendar.
Joliet Singles Events
Singles events come in different themes, sizes, and activities, but every one of them offers a friendly place to meet people. You might hike nature trails or play cards in a coffee shop and get to know date-worthy locals. It's ideal for daters who like to start as friends and build a strong foundation for a relationship. Becoming a regular with a local singles group on Meetup will widen your social horizons in Joliet.
Joliet Singles Clubs
Walk into a nightclub, join the crowd on the dance floor, and anything could happen. A cutie might catch your eye and dance beside you all night. You might slip off to a quiet corner for a real conversation. The romance might even keep going after the music stops. Plenty of singles arrive dressed to impress and go looking for dates in the dim light of the club. Check out the top-rated clubs below to spice up your love life.
Joliet Chat Rooms
Chat rooms go back to the internet's early days, and they're still popular because lots of people simply love to talk. In an anonymous chat room, they can speak their minds freely, knowing they're safe. Everything from philosophical debates to polite small talk has happened in come-as-you-are forums like these. The conversation takes on the mood and whimsy of whoever's in the room, so you can keep things serious or turn up the flirting, whatever you prefer.
Joliet Personals
What sets dating personals sites apart from traditional dating sites is that they get right down to business. There's no fussing with long profiles or coy messages. Just ask someone out directly and make a love match. These sites attract sexually active singles who know what they want from experience and have no qualms about pursuing it.
Join a Sports Team
Joliet's adult-friendly playing fields offer fun and exercise even if you're not athletic. The city's official sports leagues welcome people at every skill and experience level.
Locals who go to the Inwood Athletic Club over 100 times in six months join its prestigious 100 Club.
Whether you're into soccer, softball, or kickball, you can join practices and games all spring and summer. Teams build real team spirit, and you'll get to know local sports fans.
The Inwood Athletic Club offers more than 50 fitness programs and activities that work both body and mind, and these social opportunities are available year-round.
“I love the classes they offer and the trainers are all so helpful and great at their jobs,” said Nicole on Facebook.
Being active in daily life can make you more active in the dating scene, too, and Joliet is packed with chances to push your limits and sharpen your social skills.
Discover a Star-Crossed Romance in J-Town
The city may have dropped the name of a Shakespearean heroine, yet its romantic potential hasn't faded. A whirlwind romance can still unfold for locals on the humble streets of this Illinois city.
We've laid out several dating resources full of opportunity to help Joliet singles find love, and we suggest making use of every one you can. You'll get back as much as you put in. Sign up for a dating site, go to singles events, and spend time at bars to mingle with a diverse, interesting crowd.
Things may not have worked out for Romeo and Juliet, but don't let that put you off romance for good. Keep a clear head while you follow your heart, and you can overcome adversity and write your own happy ending. Good luck!
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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