To find out the best places to meet women, I went straight to the most dependable source: my girlfriends. I asked dozens of women where they hang out and where they would actually be comfortable meeting a guy. The girls I spoke to live all over the world, span in ages from twenty to forty-five, and despite their differences, they all shared similar answers, with bars being the most popular response.

But we already knew that women hang out in bars. To give you more chances of meeting your potential partner, here are eight places to consider when thinking about where to meet women.

Where to Meet Women: Top Places

1. Classes

Whether it’s pottery or yoga, classes are one of the top places to meet women. First of all, it shows that you have a shared interest. Second, many women love a guy who explores his hobbies. It shows that dates can be more than just Netflix and chill. Finally, you’ll likely find these classes are mostly filled with women, giving you a rather large pool to choose from.

However, you must be very cautious with how you approach women in classes, or they may suspect an ulterior motive. It’s probably not going to work if you try to obviously pick them up, but start slow and see where it goes.

Make simple conversation to break the ice (get to know you questions will come in handy here), and continue to foster the relationship with each class you attend together. Eventually, you’ll be able to ask for her number in a genuine, unassuming way. Or you can always ask if she wants to grab a coffee or go for a walk at the end of a class.

2. Events

When it comes to meeting women, events that cater to your interests are the ideal place to look. Not only are they often co-ed and organized situations to meet people, but if she’s a part of the event, chances are you have at least some of the same interests.

Into meditation? Enjoy looking at art? Big fan of tennis? Improv or poetry lover? Look for local events in your area and sign up to attend. You can even meet women at business or networking events, or local speed dating which takes the pressure off of everyone.

Now for the hard part — actually meeting a woman.

The easiest and most foolproof way to do this is to approach a woman who’s on her own. Maybe she’s on the fringe of the crowd or sipping her drink alone in a corner. Seize your chance and strike up a conversation.

Not only will you make her feel more comfortable and less alone (which will already score you major brownie points), but you’ll get to engage without being intimidated by a crowd of other girls. Win win for everyone. Stuck on where to start? Try out questions to ask a girl, which are easy going conversation starters.

3. Sports Teams

So many of my friends have ended up dating guys they’ve met on their co-ed sports teams that I’m sold on the idea. I guess there’s something about getting your competitive sweat on with the opposite sex that sends hormones flying. Plus, it’s a great way to stay fit and blow off steam after a long week.

This is one of the most overlooked places to meet women because as an adult, you may count out the idea of playing on a sports team. However, you can find these teams in pretty much every city, and it’s a wonderful way to meet women around the same age who are interested in the same things you are.

The most common co-ed sports teams are typically soccer, but it really varies. Some of my friends play on a co-ed kickball team, half of which have ended up dating each other. One of the best parts of this is that games are often followed by drinks, which means ample time for socializing off the field.

4. Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the best places to meet women because at least you know she’s a decent person from the get-go. Of course, you should never sign up for a volunteering event just because you’re looking for a place to meet women. But if there’s a hottie in your group, who’s stopping you from asking for her number, especially if you hit it off during the day?

Some places to volunteer include a local soup kitchen or food pantry, shelters, animal sanctuaries, and charity shops. Volunteering can be especially impactful around the holidays, so if you’re looking for a double header of doing good and potentially meeting someone in the process, this is the prime avenue to take.

5. Concerts

Concerts are among the best places to meet women because you already have something in common: your taste in music. Break the ice by asking about their favorite song — just remember to be respectful during the set.

While it may be hard to meet a girl while the concert is happening, preshow and after parties are dependable options. Scope out cuties around the bar or merch table. Props if you ask her out for a drink afterwards.

6. Social Gatherings

The woman of your dreams may be closer than you think. Don’t underestimate the power of mutual friends or acquaintances populating social gatherings you’re invited to. Attend with an open mind and you may walk out with a phone number. Some social gatherings may include birthday parties, general get togethers, dinner with friends, and beyond.

When it comes to social gatherings, one of the easiest ways to meet women is to look for a girl hanging out on her own. She might be feeling a bit awkward, especially if she doesn’t know anyone, so walking right up and breaking the ice will make you a memorable prospect. It’s also way less intimidating to approach a woman solo than if she’s surrounded by a pack of girls.

If you have your eye on a certain someone, you can also ask to be introduced by a mutual friend, which makes it that much easier to get your foot in the door — shy guys, I’m looking at you. Lead with great conversation (try out questions for a new relationship or a funny pick up line), and see where things go.

7. Church / Religious Settings

A surefire way to meet women who share your values is to pick them up at church or other religious settings. At the very least, you’ll have your faith in common, and somehow in these situations, the rest seems to fall in place.

If you’re not already a member of a church, you can always join one that caters to a younger crowd. Although, I wouldn’t advise this if you aren’t actually interested in getting your prayer on. These days there are tons of churches, worship groups, synagogues, and religious events targeting young adults, increasing the likelihood of finding someone compatible — or at the very least, closer to your age than the grannies at your family church.

8. Bars (Not Clubs)

When it comes to where to meet women, bars are probably the easiest and safest bet. They’re typically teeming with girls getting a buzz on, often seeking out prospects of their own. Alcohol also tends to give a dose of liquid courage, making it easier to approach strangers than when you’re stone cold sober.

To meet a woman at a bar, the most foolproof way is to buy her a drink. It shows you’re chivalrous and gives her a reason to stick around for a bit. If she’s engaging with you and eager to continue the conversation, you can always ask her to dance to showcase your moves and take some of the pressure off yelling in a crowded bar.

However, if you buy her a drink and see her eyes starting to search desperately for her friends, you’ll know you’re in hot water. Just because you paid for the round doesn’t mean she owes you anything, so if you notice she’s looking for an out, be the gentleman that you are and give her one.

In my experience, your chances of meeting a woman at a bar are much higher than at a club. Clubs get sloppy, and besides, it’s way too loud to talk. How can you assess a connection if you can’t even hear each other?

Where to Meet Women Online

Meeting women in person may be a bit intimidating, so if you’d rather do it through a screen, these are the best places to meet women online.

1. Tinder

Tinder is the OG when it comes to dating apps. It’s been around for more than a decade now and is still a decently dependable way to meet women. That said, you may find that many women have jumped ship for other dating apps, especially the ones that favor a female perspective, so if you’re not having luck on Tinder, don’t be afraid to try another app.

2. Bumble

Bumble is a great option for guys who don’t want to make the first move. You swipe the same way you do on Tinder, but when you match with someone, only the girl can message first. This puts the ball in her court, giving her the chance to bust out questions to ask a guy. It also takes some of the pressure off of you, which is why it’s a nice choice for shyer men.

3. Hinge

Hinge is all the rage these days and it’s easy to see why. The app allows super fun and creative bios, integrating voice notes, Q & As, and other cool features. I’ve found that the majority of Gen Z and millennials are using Hinge these days over other dating apps, so don’t hesitate to give it a go.

4. Dating Websites

If swiping isn’t your thing, you can take the (semi) old school route and hit the great wide interweb to meet women. Match.com has been around for more than 20 years and still has a whopping 21 million users.

Surprisingly, the site is actually owned by the parent company behind Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, and other popular dating platforms. Makes sense considering these guys have been running the online dating game since the mid ‘90s.

Similar to Match, there’s also eHarmony, Elite Singles, and dozens of other websites where you can meet women. The only downside to these websites is they cost a monthly fee, in comparison to the free dating apps.

However, online dating websites are among the best options for older people looking to meet women. According to Forbes, 44% of the users (on Match.com) are between 30 and 49, while 37% of users are over the age of 50. Dating apps tend to have a younger pool to choose from.

5. Faith Specific Dating Platforms

To ensure whomever you date shares similar values to yourself, there are faith specific dating platforms, which are wonderful places to meet women of the same religion.

People who identify with the Christian faith can check out platforms like Christian Mingle and Christian Cafe, while Jewish people can meet others on JSwipe or JDate. There are also sites like Muslima and apps called Muzz and Salams that cater to those of the Muslim faith.

This is only scratching the surface of faith based dating platforms. You can also filter popular sites like eHarmony based on religion to narrow down the massive pool of options if this is something important to you.

Where to Meet Older Women

If you feel like you’re too old to be trolling bars trying to pick up girls, there are plenty of places to meet older women. Consider more serious settings where you can have a real conversation, rather than shouting over the din of a concert or party.

In terms of where to meet older women, make these spots your first port of call:

1. Business and Networking Events

This is a wonderful place to meet professional women who may be closer to middle age than teenage years.

2. Local Get Togethers

Plenty of towns and cities host local get togethers, whether it’s in the form of a community walk, conversation groups, or beyond. These are some of the best places to meet older women who likely share your interests. Check local bulletin boards and Facebook groups to see what’s on.

3. Laid Back Classes

Rather than sports teams and SoulCycle, try out an art class or a writing workshop. You’ll likely meet laid back, artsier older women who are more interested in culture than sweating.

When meeting older women, it’s important to keep in mind that they’re often looking for something more serious than a younger crowd. Older women tend to expand their search beyond looks and have priorities for their partners like a stable job, high compatibility, and intellectual stimulation. For this reason, it can be more serious business meeting (and dating) older women.

Things To Consider Before Approaching A Woman in Public 

Read the Room

When approaching a woman in public, read the room to ensure it’s an appropriate situation. For example, asking for a girl’s number in the middle of a workout class is probably not going to garner the same results as waiting until the class is finished.

You should also be mindful about approaching women during the time of day. If you want to ask a girl out on the street, it’s better to do it in broad daylight rather than in the depths of night when she’s alone with her guard way up.

Take a Hint

It’s also essential to learn to take a hint. If she’s not interested, she’s going to make it known through her conversation, tone of voice, and body language. If you’re the only one asking questions, or if she’s crossing her arms or looking around the room, it’s time to let her go. Yes, even if you just bought her a drink. Friendly reminder — women never owe you anything, especially their time.

Don’t Be Pushy

I cannot emphasize this enough: no means no. If you ask a woman for her number or out on a date and she says no, be respectful and let sleeping dogs lie. Sure, it may be her loss, but the worst thing you can do is continue to push if you’ve already gotten a no. Not only is it super rude, but it makes you look desperate. Don’t put her in an uncomfortable position and know when to back off.

Being Vulgar Never Works 

And finally, to state the obvious, being vulgar never works. If you’re walking up to say something about her physical appearance, or worse, sex, you’re definitely not getting a first date. In fact, you’ll probably get a slap instead. While it may be amusing to you, if it’s not something you’d say to your sister (or mom), keep it to yourself.

Why You Should Trust Us

What better way to understand where to meet women than from women themselves? As a dating and relationship expert for FashionBeans, I spend thousands of hours each year interviewing individuals, couples, and industry professionals to serve you, our wonderful readers, the best information possible. As someone who’s been in a fair share of relationships myself, I have an epic handle on dating advice, which I love to share in hopes of giving you the confidence to finally ask her out or take things to the next level.

Final Verdict

When it comes to where to meet women, it’s important to keep an open mind, and in some cases, step out of your comfort zone. If you’re not meeting women in the places you frequent often, it’s likely time to explore other avenues.

If you’re unsure of where to start, the spots on this list are some of the best places to meet women. So take a deep breath and a leap of faith. The woman you’ve been searching for is closer than you think.