For some lovelorn singles, finding true love means grabbing the mouse and logging on to Web sites like Match.com and Lava Life.
But online dating isn’t the only, or best, way to meet the love of your life. “I compare it to shopping, catalog versus retail,” says Mike, a veteran of the Chicago singles scene. “I like to see what my opportunities are with my own eyes.”
Chicago is bursting with ways to get up close and personal, from speed-dating to social clubs to matching services. So turn off the computer and check out these more-than-virtual social options.
SPEED DATING
You meet for a few minutes, and when the bell rings, move on to your next prospect. Fees range from $25 to $50 per event, with a discount if you register in advance. Past participants give speed-dating a qualified thumbs-up. “It’s a little deliberate and not as mysterious as when you’re attracted to someone across the room,” says Joy, an occasional speed-dater. “But, I gotta say, it is efficient.”
3 Minute Dating
3Minutedating.com
“Speed-dating puts chemistry up front,” says Warwick Greville, CEO of 3 Minute Dating. With this group, singles get some quick face-time at 32 venues throughout Chicagoland. Group size is usually around 50, so you can expect 25 “dates” in one evening. At each event, most of the singles are first-timers, so you won’t keep seeing the same faces. Pick your favorites, and the next day, you’ll receive an email of “mutual matches:” dates you selected who also picked you. From there, it’s up to you.
ExpressDater
Expressdater.com
Founder Paula Eisen describes her speed-dating events as a “high-energy, almost like a cocktail party.” Eighty to 100 singles gather at parties on the South Side, in the western suburbs and in the city for 40 to 50 mini-dates each lasting three minutes. The next day, you receive an email listing your matches as well as “missed opportunities,” the ones you nixed who put you down as a “yes.”
FastDater
Fastdater.com
“Dating is a numbers game,” says Angie Stranges of FastDater, “so our goal is to get you in a room with as many people as possible.” Typical parties host around 70 daters and meet at locations around the city, most often at Joe’s on Weed. “Dates” last three minutes, and matches are distributed via email the next day. FastDater also offers a Fast-Tag Happy Hour, an “interactive game” involving 500 to 600 partygoers. Participants bring a photo, which is posted on the “Wall of Fame.” When you see a pic you like, you can mingle till you find the person, or leave an “I want to meet you” card with the photo.
HurryDates
Hurrydate.com
This version adds a high-tech twist to the mix. After your night of three-minute encounters, you receive your list of matches. Next, you go online to HurryDates’ Web site to access profiles of your matches. With HurryDates, the group size tends to be a bit smaller, with 15 to 20 “dates” per evening, a plus for singles who reach sensory overload quickly. Experienced speed-dater Mike says, “If you don’t like talking about yourself for hours, you might like HurryDates a little more.”
Masterdater
Masterdater.net
In a world of boy-girl pairings, where are lesbians and gay men to go? The answer: Masterdater. This three-minute speed-dating program allows guys and gals to meet a passel of new same-sex partners. Afterwards, daters fill out an Introduction Scorecard, and mutual match-ups are notified by email. Pre-registration is highly recommended; register at the door and you may be turned away if the event is full.
Pre-Dating
Pre-dating.com
Think three minutes aren’t enough to get a vibe? The founders of Pre-Dating agree, so they give their singles six minutes to meet. They boast that their singles see a 70 to 90 percent match rate and guarantee you’ll never see the same person twice at their events. They also offer a little dating insurance: If you don’t get a match, your next event is half-price; and if you still have no luck, you can attend a third event for free. Past Pre-Dater James made two matches from his first try, and though neither led to true love, he still calls the experience “pretty cool.”
MATCHMAKER, MATCHMAKER
For busy professionals on the go who find weeding through 30 to 50 speed-daters daunting, a matchmaking service may fit the bill. You explain what you want; the matchmaker does the rest.
It’s Just Lunch
Itsjustlunch.com
“I like to tell my clients I get more involved in their lives than they are,” says PJ Osgood of It’s Just Lunch. Osgood and her fellow reps interview each client to learn all about their needs and preferences. Next, a match is made and a date is set. The rep takes care of everything: plans, reservations and communication. “You just have to dress and show up,” Osgood quips. The first date is lunch or drinks, never dinner, and it’s deliberately low-pressure. Afterwards, you provide feedback to help the rep fine-tune your future matches. The price is steeper than speed-dating: a one-year membership is $1,500. But the success rate is high, as is the level of personalized service. Osgood reports that 80 percent of her matches go on a second date.
Selective Search, Inc.
Selectivesearch-inc.com
What if the strategies of executive recruiting were applied to dating? You’d get Selective Search, which acts as a sort of trophy-wife headhunter for eligible, successful men. Women join the network for free, but are hand-picked by recruiters based on interviews. In addition to scouting top-drawer ladies from local organizations, Selective Search holds “Calling All Bachelorettes” events to expand its network. For women, it can be a great way to meet highly successful professionals, but the screening process turns off some participants. “I expected to talk a lot about my master’s degree and career,” says Mary Delia Allen, a recent participant, “but all they wanted to know about was what I do for fun on the weekend.” For men, the price is steep. They pay thousands for Selective Search’s services.
URBAN ADVENTURES
Chicago has hundreds of adventures waiting to happen. But who wants to do them alone? These clubs can give you the hook-up for festive urban outings.
SocialMonster/SportsMonster
Socialmonster.com
For a mere $75 per year plus the cost of events, you can go on outings ranging from Cubs games and Halloween parties to the “Monster Mingler,” SocialMonster’s popular happy hours. SocialMonster offers eight to 12 events per month and even more during the summer when festival season kicks into high gear. As an added bonus, when you join SocialMonster you also become a member of SportsMonster, one of Chicago’s longest-running recreational sports clubs.
Chicago Shakers Social & Adventure Club
Chicagoshakers.com
Brought to you by the founder of ExpressDater, Chicago Shakers tries to cover all possible social bases, including cooking classes, Martini Madness Parties and a “Musical Chair Dinner.” First-year membership is a little pricey at around $400, but it gets cheaper after that with a renewal rate of $79. Katie Blattner, a Shakers member, highly recommends the club. “I’ve made numerous friends and most recently met my boyfriend through it,” says Blattner.
Highlife Adventures
Highlifeadventures.com
One of the best-known Chicago-based social groups, Highlife is also the most expensive, costing into the thousands for a one-year membership. Events include volleyball, skydiving, and horseback riding, as well classes and happy hours. But according to past participants, the club doesn’t live up to the hype. Sales tactics are high-pressure, and the events don’t deliver. “It was a waste of time and money,” complains former member Heidi. “I went to four events, and each time is was a joke.” Another participant, Paula, agrees. “They charge you more money for events than you would pay on your own, and they do very little to facilitate mingling.”
Food of love
If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then fine dining might be a path to true love. At least, that’s the hope for clubs that use food to bring folks together.
Fun Young Foodies
Funyoungfoodieclub.com
Not strictly a singles group, Fun Young Foodies focuses on bringing great culinary experiences to young, professional city-dwellers. But with a proportion of 80 percent singles to 20 percent couples and the majority of members in their 20s and early 30s, chances are good you’ll make some connections. Membership is $95 per year, plus the cost of meals (usually around $45-$55 per outing), and there are two to four events per month. Foodies founder Carole McMenamy works with chefs around the city to offer exclusive menus, and hunts out fine dining classics, new hot spots and hidden gems of Chicago neighborhoods. Other events include wine-tastings and classes led by professional chefs.
Single Gourmet Dining Club
Singlegourmetchicago.com
The emphasis is on food, not dating, at Single Gourmet, but at 1000-members strong, the group definitely provides a chance to network. Culinary adventures, from fine dining to wine-tastings to private parties, are offered weekly in both the city and suburbs. The age range is wide, from 20-somethings to grandmas, but according to one member, they make an effort to seat diners by age group, so chances are good you’ll find a buddy. Single Gourmet also offers vacations packages to make solo journeys comfortable, fun and affordable.
Greet Eat Meet
Greeteatmeet.com/chicago.htm
New to the Chicago scene, Greet Eat Meet currently offers one dining event per month to its membership of 200 single diners. Membership is pay-as-you-go, and non-members can sample events as well. The basic rate is around $40 per event. Upcoming outings include dining at Chicago hot spots such as Fogo de Chao, Arun’s and Gibson’s Steakhouse.
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