Zeitgeist

Date with destiny: how young people are falling back in love with real-life relationships

Apps have their uses, but many singletons in search of a partner are putting down their phones and picking up creative new methods that return to the old concept of meeting in person

“For those who think they would enjoy multiple dating events in one place, a matchmaking festival might be the right place to look.“

“How’s the love life? Are you back on the apps?” While the rise of online dating has been the answer to many people’s prayers, others have found themselves stuck in an infinite nightmare of swiping, messaging, ghosting, deleting, downloading and deleting again. But is it still possible to meet people in real life? What are the alternatives to dating apps, and do they work?

Ciaran Meade started his blind date-style event, First Tastes, in 2016. ...