Single in Scottsdale, AZ? 9 Places and Apps to Find a Date
On his first trip to the Salt River Valley, U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott was smitten with Arizona’s dry climate and gorgeous scenery. Where others saw a harsh landscape, he saw room for something wonderful to grow. In 1888 he came back with his wife, Helen, and bought 640 acres beside the Arizona Canal, then still being built.
Winfield and his brothers spent the next few years planting orange groves and persuading people to settle in Orangedale. The town was later renamed Scottsdale to honor the founder who had championed it.
Scottsdale’s population today is estimated at over 248,000. This thriving city is the legacy of a man who looked at Scottsdale and saw what it could become, not what it was. If you want to grow a rich life of your own here, we can help with nine suggestions for meeting singles around town. Let’s dive in!
Scottsdale Dating Sites
The internet has reshaped plenty of daily habits, from ordering food to storing photos, and it has even reshaped dating. Online dating is now the top way for today’s singles to meet the people they’ll marry. Whether you live in Old Town, North Scottsdale, South Scottsdale, or Shea Corridor, a dating site is worth a look.
Best Singles Site
Our top dating site for singles in Scottsdale is Match. It launched in 1995, earlier than any other dating site, and it can claim more success stories than any competitor. There’s even an I Met Someone Guarantee: if you stay active on the site and haven’t found someone after six months, you’ll get six more months of membership at no charge.
- 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
Recent census figures show that about 42% of people in Scottsdale are over 50, with a median age of 42. That’s welcome news for senior singles here! OurTime makes finding a senior date even easier, thanks to simple matching and chat features.
- 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 »
- Browse Free:View Photos Now
| 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
Looking for a Black or biracial partner in Scottsdale? It’s going to take some effort. Under 2% of residents identify as African-American, while close to 90% identify as white. You can flip that ratio, though, by joining a diverse online community like BlackPeopleMeet. Thousands of Black singles have met each other online through this niche site.
- 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
Last, we should admit that not every dater is after the white-picket-fence, ride-off-into-the-sunset kind of romance. Some singles simply want sex, and Adult Friend Finder was built for exactly that. This casual hookup site gives singles and couples of every age, background, and desire an uninhibited place to play.
- 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
After I got my first smartphone, there was no going back. How did I ever get by without pulling up every photo I’ve taken in a second, or GPS directions to wherever I’m headed? Switching from sites to dating apps gives me that same feeling. You no longer need to sit at a computer before checking in with a date. Instead, you can chat on the move without handing your number out to a bunch of randos. Next time you want to upgrade your love life, give these mobile-friendly dating platforms a try.
- 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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Scottsdale Singles Bars
Meeting people online is fine, but some singles would rather date the old-fashioned way, face to face. If that’s you, we suggest exploring downtown Scottsdale’s bars. A dive bar’s low-key atmosphere or a speakeasy’s intimate vibe can help daters loosen up while chatting with someone new. These bars are, in our view, the most date-worthy in town.
Coach House
The Coach House opened in 1959 and holds the title of Scottsdale’s oldest tavern. The longtime landmark welcomes the public from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., 365 days a year. Yes, Christmas too. At the holidays, every square inch of the bar, inside and out, gets covered in lights, and the festive mood puts everyone in the spirit to celebrate. The unpretentious bar is known for friendly service, mouthwatering burgers, and a big beer selection. If you want a place to hear rock music and strike up an easygoing chat, head to the Coach House.
Old Town Tavern
The Old Town Tavern claims "the biggest little stage in Old Town Scottsdale." Spread over two stories, the rustic watering hole pours premier wines and ice-cold beers at its indoor bar and on its lovely outdoor deck. Kick back to live music (there are nine shows a week) and catch someone’s eye across the bar. The bartenders here are known for their generous pours, and they don’t water drinks down with piles of ice. Locals have had this cozy place to unwind, dance, and have a good time since 2006.
Rusty Spur Saloon
Country fans can kick back at the Rusty Spur Saloon, billed as Scottsdale's last real cowboy saloon. Its intimate dance floor has people up and clapping to classic country and bluegrass tunes played by talented bands in boots and cowboy hats. Through the years, stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood are known to have dropped in for a quiet drink. If it suits them, it should suit you as well.
Second Story Restaurant & Liquor Bar
The Second Story Restaurant & Liquor Bar is a polished place where local daters can spend an evening in style. Think prime steaks, craft cocktails, and seasonal specialties worth dying for. From the Duck Confit to the WTF Biscuits (made for sharing), the bar serves up a culinary experience unlike any other. Come for lunch or dinner on a Wednesday, when oysters are $1 all day, or until they’re gone. Diners leave the everyday behind at this elevated bar, where more than 300 kinds of whiskey wait to be poured.
Boondocks Patio & Grill
Sink into the squishy couches or perch at a high-top table with new friends: either way, the Boondocks Patio & Grill is the place for a luxuriously lazy evening. A local guide on Google reviews described it as a "great place for drinks and to meet people. Also good food." There’s lots of room to mingle and have fun in the colorful outdoor space. On top of that, the Boondocks calendar is always packed with events like football parties, taco nights, and live performances.
The Grapevine Restaurant & Karaoke Bar
Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t resist a good karaoke bar. It takes very little to get me on stage belting out a favorite Britney Spears or Beatles song. I might walk in promising myself I won’t sing, but a few drinks later, I’m like, "Oops, I did it again." The Grapevine Restaurant & Karaoke Bar lets singles leave their comfort zones behind and shake up the dating scene. Take the mic and sing a love song for the cutie at the bar, or raise a glass to a talented singer and turn into their biggest fan. The Grapevine has brought people together since 1971 with live amateur music, handcrafted cocktails, and good food. Karaoke goes from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., which leaves plenty of time to choose a song and maybe ask someone to duet with you.
Scottsdale Speed Dating
Speed dating is regular dating on steroids. All those getting-to-know-you conversations get squeezed into manageable five-minute chats, and when the night wraps up, you pick who you liked. Think of it as a fun carousel, a bit like swiping with more face-to-face flirting, and plenty of singles use it to liven up a Friday or Saturday night. If you’ve never tried speed dating, check Eventbrite’s calendar for an upcoming Scottsdale event that’s right at your speed.
Scottsdale Singles Events
The trouble with scouting for dates at a bar is that you never really know whether the cutie you’ve got your eye on is available. You might burn valuable time chasing the wrong person, which isn’t fun for anybody. A singles event takes away the guesswork, so people can mingle confidently. Search Meetup for the keyword “single” to find gatherings where the town’s lonely hearts can meet. On a valley hike or at a book club discussion, joining a singles group lets you bond with like-minded people over things you both enjoy.
Scottsdale Singles Clubs
The West’s Most Western Town has a welcome for cowboys and cowgirls looking for adventure and romance. Pull on your boots and show up at a local dance club to join in. Scottsdale has lots of exciting, trendy, and full-on country spots where your dance moves can do the talking. Whenever your routine needs shaking up, spend a night at the saloon. Follow the link below for Yelp reviews of Scottsdale’s most popular dance clubs.
Scottsdale Chat Rooms
Everyone has their own passions. Some of us have pinpoint accuracy with a football, others can put furniture together with no manual, and some are less physically gifted but more intellectually impressive. Intellectuals often feel out of place trying to make friends in bars or clubs; they like settings where their ideas take center stage. These singles often do best in chat rooms, since there, words open the way to someone’s heart. In this online space, nobody cares if your shirt is untucked or your hair is a mess. As long as you mind your ps and qs, you’ll be fine.
Scottsdale Personals
Lots of people lump online dating personals in with online dating, which is like calling Scottsdale and Phoenix basically identical. They may share a lot, yet any local can name a few key differences. Personals lack the matching tools and swiping features found on most dating sites. They also don’t recommend users to each other or ask for a long profile. Instead of spending ages writing a bio and cropping photos, you can get right to the point on a personals site and track down a date who measures up to your standards in no time.
Volunteer Your Time in Maricopa County
Need to shake up your routine? Joining a local nonprofit and doing some good around town is always an option. Most volunteer work encourages teamwork among people with shared goals and values, which gives a relationship solid footing.
Donations and volunteers keep the nonprofit Four Peaks Animal Rescue going.
Scottsdale has plenty of citywide volunteer programs where residents can make a difference and get to know their neighbors at the same time. Help out at animal shelters, charity events, public school programs, and lots of other places, and you’ll have chances to meet generous, kind-hearted singles.
Four Peaks Animal Rescue welcomes volunteer applications at any time, and whenever you have spare time, it’ll gladly hand you office tasks to finish and puppies to cuddle. It’s a great spot for singles to meet people and gain perspective by caring for others and thinking about problems larger than their own.
“The volunteers are amazing and so helpful,” according to Hannah, who got her cat from Four Peaks Animal Rescue. “So thankful for all the help and support from such a great organization.”
Carefree Singles Find Paradise in the Valley of the Sun
Back in the 1880s, one man looked at the Salt River Valley and saw a promising place to raise a family and build a home. He persuaded others to follow him and settle in what we now call Scottsdale.
Winfield Scott couldn’t have guessed that one of Arizona’s largest cities would grow from the seeds his orange grove ranch planted, but he followed his instincts and believed he could turn even the bleakest surroundings into a sunny paradise.
Now that you’ve worked through our suggestions for meeting people, you can also build something wonderful from nothing and set yourself up to succeed in Scottsdale. Whether you join a club, spend time at a bar, or sign up for a dating site, a bit of elbow grease and a dash of luck will help you make the most of your surroundings. Have fun!
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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