Attention Portland singles!
Datermeister has done some research and found that there are FAR too many singles in Portland that just aren’t meeting each other!
To sort it out, we’ve put together a bumper guide to the 7 best places to meet singles in Portland.
All we need from you is an openness to new things, and a willingness to be proactive …
… as well as a willingness to say “hi!” to strangers.
Ready?! Let’s do this.
1. Best nightclubs for Portland singles
At the beating heart of nighttime Portland are singles who are looking for a good time.
They’re dressed up and looking HOT.
And they’re ready and waiting for you to join them at the dance floor.
So dress up too, grab a pal and hit the club scene. Have a few drinks and then take to the dance floor. Once someone catches your eye, don’t be afraid to cooly move in on them. Dance with them, flirt with them – and get their number before the night is out.
Here are the top 2 nightclubs for singles in Portland:
Dirty (35 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97209): The name probably gives you a clue as to what this club is all about! It’s hot, it’s steamy – and it’s packed with singles on the prowl. Located in Portland’s Old Town (which is by far the best Portland neighbourhood for singles), it’s got as many as 16 poles for you to dance around with that sexy someone who’s caught your eye.
Aztec Willies (1501 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232): This is really for the Portland singles over 40 who are all about that salsa vibe. And if you can’t do salsa? They give salsa lessons each week so that when Saturday night swings around, you’re ready to show off your new moves to a sexy señor or señorita.
Pro tip: Whichever club you go to, don’t wait any longer than 5 minutes to make a move with someone. Once a song finishes, there’s every chance they’ll leave the dance floor, head to the bar – and out of your sight. So be fast!
2. Best Bars in Portland For Singles
If the idea of dancing around a pole while looking for a new partner doesn’t sit well with you, you might prefer to stick to the bars instead.
Portland’s bars are a unique cocktail of the old and the new. There’s something for everyone, but if you want to meet someone new, you need to be prepared to start a convo.
Take a wingman (or woman) with you and don’t be afraid to approach any hotties that have caught your eye. Keep the conversation light, keep smiling and always be positive.
And when the time is right, shoot your shot and ask for their number.
If they turn you down, keep your head up and move onto the next person.
Here are the 2 best Portland singles bars:
Bailey’s Taproom (213 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205): As well as selling great beer, Bailey’s Taproom offers a laid-back touch that’s ideal for meeting someone new. The bar is well-lit, and the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.
Hale Pele (2733 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232): Fancy an exotic cocktail? This popular tiki bar is always busy, no matter what night of the week it is. This is perfect for you – the busier it is, the more hot singles there are to choose from!
Oh, and it’s also got pufferfish decorations. What else do you need?! Instant conversation starter right there.
3. Concerts or Stand-up Comedy Shows Are Especially Some of the Best Places to Meet Singles in Portland
Wanna find someone who’s got the same taste in music as you?
Datermeister knows what it’s like to meet someone whose tastes aren’t as good as yours. Everything is going so well until you go back to their place and find a Bruce Springsteen poster on their wall!
If you happen to love live music, concerts are some of the best places to meet singles in Portland.
Think about it: For one thing, you already know this person likes the same music as you. For another, all you need to do is rock up next to someone, dance with them and ask if they fancy a post-concert drink at the bar.
And if they’ve no time? No sweat – just ask for their number instead.
Spread your social wings by going to more comedy nights, too. Comedy clubs are great places to meet new people. Everyone is in a good mood thanks to the comedians, and Portland folk who go to comedy nights tend to be real social butterflies who are open to chatting to new people.
Here are the 2 best comedy clubs in Portland:
Helium Comedy Club (1510 SE 9th Ave): This joint gets packed, so you’ll probably need to book in advance. But that’s a good thing, of course – the more people there are, the greater the chances are of you finding a new partner.
Curious Comedy Theatre (5225 NE Martin Luther King Blvd): It has a bit of an alternative vibe to it, but it’s super interactive and fun.
Because people who go to comedy clubs tend to go in groups, the best thing to do is round up a group of friends yourself. Once the show is over, see who you can get chatting to.
4. Best Places to Meet Singles Online in Portland
Bored during the week and wish you had someone to chat to?
Portland’s singles scene is bouncing all week long, but we get it – you can’t afford to go out every night of the week.
Rather than wait until Friday to meet someone new, sign up to dating sites and keep your options wide open during the week.
Dating sites have lost any stigma they once had, and more and more of us are meeting our life partners online.
Now, if you want to play games and get ghosted, try Tinder. On the other hand, if you want to meet Portland singles who are serious about finding love, try these 2 instead:
Match.com: Free to register and use, Match.com does what it says on the label – it matches you up with people you’re most likely to connect with. It doesn’t do this via a complex algorithm. Instead, it lets you ask scripted questions to potential dates before asking if you want to take this further.
EliteSingles.com: If you’re career-focused and want to meet a hot single who’s got brains, EliteSingles.com is for you! It’s better than trying to get someone’s number at the library, and it’s full of singles in Portland with degrees.
“But what about me? I want Jewish singles in Portland … what do I do?!”
No drama! Match and EliteSingles cater for all niches, from Christian singles in Portland to Catholic singles in Portland. All you need to do is refine your search.
Read also: Top 10 best dating sites in the USA
5. Gyms Are Great Places to Meet Portland Singles
Do you need extra motivation to start hitting the gym? We’ve got two great reasons for why you should join a gym:
1) Working out will tone you up, get you in shape and boost your confidence. All of this is essential for dating.
2) Gyms are among the best places to meet singles in Portland.
It’s true – people who go to the gym are remarkably friendly and social. The more you go, the more you’ll become familiar with people.
Over time, that hot gym bunny you’ve been smiling at? Well, you can ask them out on a date.
It can be that simple because you’re guaranteed one thing: People who go to gyms are regulars. It’s not like a club where you probably won’t see them ever again unless you make a move soon. At a gym, you’ve got time to build that crucial rapport.
6. Portland Singles Events – Or Any Kind of Networking Events
Speed dating is one of the best Portland singles activities there is. In just one night you get to chat to several people for 3 minutes at a time!
Once the night is over, you find out if you matched with anyone. And if you did, you can arrange a date – all in the knowledge that there’s definitely chemistry between the two of you.
It’s more efficient than online dating and so much fun.
There are other Portland singles events and Portland singles meetup’s. Join meetup.com and see what’s what.
Try regular networking, too. While there’s no guarantee you’ll meet your soulmate, you’ll probably make new friends and expand your social circle.
The wider your social circle is, the more of a chance you’ll have of being introduced to a potential romantic partner.
7. Learn a new skill (while meeting people with the same interests) or do “hobby dates”
Lastly, quit being a bore who learns a new skill at home.
Instead, join a class and meet fellow singles in Portland!
Whether you join an art class, a cooking class or a language class, you’re guaranteed to meet new, like-minded people. And who knows where that can take you?!
Conclusion
To succeed in dating, you need to put yourself out there.
And now that your head is buzzing with ideas, it’s time to buy a new outfit, round some friends up and hit the Portland nightlife.
And if it’s midweek? Join that gym and sign up to those dating sites. Don’t delay – the time is now!
Have we missed something out when it comes to Portland singles? Leave us a comment below!